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

University of the Free State; Bloemfontein; On-site; ZAR 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of the Free State in Bloemfontein invites applications for a Social Worker (post level 9) to provide psychosocial assessment and support services to students by conducting assessments, providing short-term counselling and developing intervention plans within the School of Clinical Medicine.

The successful candidate must hold a Bachelor of Social Work, be actively registered with SACSSP, have at least two years' relevant experience with young adults or students, and be capable of

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work and SACSSP registration as a social worker.
• Minimum two years' relevant experience with young adults or students.
• Experience in counselling, crisis intervention and case management.

Responsibilities

• Provide psychosocial assessment and support services to students.
• Conduct assessments and provide short-term counselling and interventions.
• Develop intervention plans aligned to student needs and monitor progress.
• Coordinate referrals and manage confidential student records.

Skills

Empathy

Counselling

Crisis intervention

Case management

Education

Bachelor of Social Work (NQF 8)

Job description

• Maintaining confidential case records.

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

Bloemfontein Campus - Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

Closing Date

28/9/2026

Requirements

• A detailed Curriculum Vitae.
• 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.
• 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

Competencies

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

(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.

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

The University processes personal information in line with its obligations under the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and any personal information provided to the University will be treated as confidential and processed in accordance with the rights provided to data subjects under POPIA.