Social Worker (post level 9)(Job ID: 6589)

University of the Free State; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 600,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension plan

Medical aid

Group life insurance

Housing allowance

Leave benefits

Study benefits

Job summary

The University of the Free State in Bloemfontein invites applications for a registered Social Worker to provide psychosocial assessment, counselling, crisis intervention and case management for students. The role supports academic success, wellbeing and resilience within health sciences contexts.

Experience with students, professional registration and adherence to SACSSP/HPCSA standards are essential, with a focus on ethical, confidential service delivery and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent qualification on NQF Level 8.
• Two years' relevant experience as a registered social worker.
• Two years' experience with young adults or students.
• Active SACSSP registration (provide proof).

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessment and support to students.
• Provide short-term counselling and psychosocial interventions.
• Develop intervention plans aligned to student needs.
• Attend to psychosocial emergencies after hours as needed.
• Provide input on policies to support student wellbeing.
• Support student wellbeing, resilience and academic success.
• Manage student support cases from assessment to resolution.
• Develop and facilitate student wellness programmes.
• Collaborate with academic and support stakeholders.

Skills

Psychosocial assessment

Counselling

Crisis intervention

Case management

Intervention planning

MS Office

Education

Bachelor of Social Work (NQF 8)

Tools

MS Office

Job description

KINDLY TAKE NOTE: Applications may only be submitted online through the official UFS vacancy website: https://ufs.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/JobSearch/viewAll - Applications submitted through any other platform will not be considered.

The system allows a maximum of eight attachments. To avoid upload issues, we recommend merging some or all documents into fewer files before submitting.

INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED!

To ensure your application is complete, you must submit ALL documents listed under the inherent requirements, as well as the following standard documentation:

• Copies of your qualifications, or official proof of qualifications obtained (If you hold foreign qualifications, please include SAQA accreditation).
• A copy of your identity document (South African ID or passport for foreign nationals).
• Confirmation of employment in the form of a letter, appointment contract, service certificate, or recent payslip from your current or most recent employer (applicable to external applicants only).

Duties and responsibilities:

Provide psychosocial assessment and support services to students by:

• Conducting psychosocial assessments of students experiencing personal, academic, emotional or social challenges.
• Providing short-term counselling and psychosocial interventions within the scope of professional social work practice.
• Developing intervention plans aligned to individual student needs.
• Attending to psychosocial emergencies after hours as needed and where possible.
• Providing trauma-informed support where appropriate.
• Provide input on policies and procedures that assist in management of students.
• To support student wellbeing, resilience and academic success.

Provide crisis intervention services by:

• Responding to students experiencing mental health crises, trauma, bereavement, abuse, gender-based violence, financial or social distress.
• Assessing immediate risks.
• Supporting students who experience setbacks in academic performance.
• Coordinating emergency support and referrals where required.
• Ensuring timely intervention and student safety during crises.

Manage student support cases by:

• Managing cases from initial assessment through resolution.
• Reviewing intervention outcomes and follow-up actions.
• Ensuring coordinated and effective psychosocial support services.
• Support other academic staff as it pertains to students in crisis the MBChB and LOP programmes.
• Identifying students requiring specialised intervention.
• Referring students to appropriate internal and external support services.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary support where required.
• Monitoring referral outcomes where appropriate.

Develop and facilitate student wellness programmes by:

• Planning and facilitating wellness initiatives addressing mental wellbeing, resilience, stress management, self-care and burnout prevention.
• Conducting awareness ·campaigns relevant to health sciences students.
• Promoting preventative wellbeing and student resilience.

Collaborate with academic and support stakeholders by:

• Liaising with academic staff, programme directors, clinical training platforms and faculty management regarding students requiring support.
• Participating in multidisciplinary student support meetings.
• Providing professional recommendations on student support interventions.
• Building relationships with internal and external support service providers.
• Promoting integrated student support and coordinated intervention

Ensure professional and legislative compliance by:

• Delivering services in accordance with SACSSP ethical standards, University policies and relevant legislation.
• Supporting compliance with HPCSA accreditation requirements relating to student support.
• Maintaining professional registration and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
• Ensuring ethical, professional and compliant service delivery.

Maintain student support records and management reporting by:

• Compiling statistical and management reports on student interventions, referrals, wellness programmes and case outcomes.
• Safeguarding confidential information in accordance with POPIA requirements.
• Supporting institutional reporting, service improvement and governance.

Inherent requirements:

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent qualification in the field of Social Work on NQF Level 8.
• A minimum of two (2) years' relevant experience as a registered Social Worker.
• A minimum of two (2) years' relevant experience in working with young adults or students.
• A minimum of two (2) years' relevant experience in counselling, crisis intervention and case management.
• Active registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a social worker (attach proof).

Recommendations:

• Experience within a higher education institution or healthcare environment.
• Experience supporting students in professional or clinical training programmes.

Results Orientated:

• The ability to be reliable, responsible, dependable and to fulfil obligations.
• The ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.

Strategic Thinking:

• The ability to deal with several activities at a time.
• The ability to be creative and open-minded when addressing work issues.

Business Acumen:

• The ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations.
• Proficient in using MS Office.
• The ability to maintain high levels of personal motivation, energy and enthusiasm.
• The ability to be cooperative with others, display a good-natured attitude and encourage people to work together.
• The ability to be sensitive and understanding to the needs and feelings of others.
• The ability to interact with others and establish personal connections with people.

Assumption of duties:

As soon as possible.

28 September 2026

The salary is available on request.

(Subject to specific conditions): pension scheme, medical aid scheme, group life insurance, housing allowance, leave and sick leave, service bonus and study benefits.

Enquiries:

For enquiries, please feel free to contact 051 401 2876 or email [e-mail] or [e-mail]. Additionally, kindly contact 051 401 2558 / 9813 for assistance.