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

UFS International; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 360,000 - 480,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

pension scheme

medical aid scheme

group life insurance

housing allowance

leave and sick leave

service bonus and study benefits

Job summary

University of the Free State seeks a Social Worker (post level 9) to provide psychosocial assessment, counselling, and crisis intervention for health sciences students. The role supports student wellbeing, resilience, and academic success within the School of Clinical Medicine.

The position requires SACSSP registration, a Bachelor of Social Work, and at least 2 years of relevant experience with students or young adults.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work or equivalent qualification (NQF Level 8).
• At least 2 years' relevant experience as a registered Social Worker.
• At least 2 years' relevant experience with young adults or students.
• Active SACSSP registration as a social worker.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessment and support services to students.
• Provide short-term counselling and psychosocial interventions.
• Develop intervention plans and manage cases from assessment through resolution.
• Coordinate referral services and multidisciplinary support.
• Develop and facilitate student wellness programmes.
• Collaborate with academic and support stakeholders.
• Ensure professional and legislative compliance and maintain records.

Skills

MS Office

Results oriented

Strategic thinking

Leading

Building coalitions

Business acumen

Education

Bachelor of Social Work

SACSSP registration

Job description

Social Worker (post level 9) (Job ID: 6589) - (2274)

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

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State > Faculty of Health Sciences > School of Clinical Medicine

Contract Type

Permanent

Occupational Level

Junior Management

Location

Closing Date

28/9/2026

Description

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.
• Maintaining confidential case records.
• Monitoring student progress.
• 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.

Coordinate referral services by;

• Identifying students requiring specialised intervention.
• Referring students to appropriate internal and external support services.
• Coordinating multidisciplinary support where required.
• Monitoring referral outcomes where appropriate.
• Ensuring students receive appropriate specialist support.

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:

• Maintaining confidential student records.
• 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.

Required competencies:

• 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.
• Leading:
  • 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.
• Building Coalitions:
  • 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.

Salary:

The salary is available on request.

Fringe benefits:

• pension scheme
• medical aid scheme
• group life insurance
• housing allowance
• leave and sick leave
• service bonus and study benefits

General:

The UFS is a designated employer and is committed to the pursuit of excellence, diversity, and redress in achieving its equity targets in accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets. Preference will be given to candidates from the under-represented designated groups including candidates with disabilities. Our Employment Equity Plan is available at:ufs-employment-equity-plan_2025.pdf

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