Spiritual Support Practitioner 30 hours per week)post level 12) contract appointment 3 years)

University of the Free State; Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 388,000 - 487,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Medical aid scheme

Group life insurance

Housing allowance

Job summary

The University of the Free State invites applications for a Spiritual Support Practitioner (30 hours per week) contract appointment. The role supports student wellbeing by providing culturally responsive spiritual care, particularly around Indigenous African spiritual experiences, and coordinates with traditional health practitioners and university services.

The successful candidate will help develop institutional frameworks, policies, and training to manage Indigenous spirituality in higher

Qualifications

• Grade 12 or NV certificate at NQF Level 4.
• Experience providing African Indigenous spiritual support in higher education.
• Compliance with regulatory framework and professional registration requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide culturally responsive spiritual support to students.
• Collaborate with families, traditional healers, and university services.
• Develop institutional guidelines and training on Indigenous spirituality.
• Assess and refer for psychospiritual concerns as needed.
• Maintain confidential records and report on interventions.
• Liaise with stakeholders and participate in multidisciplinary case reviews.
• Deliver awareness programmes for staff and students.

Skills

Spiritual support

Cultural competency

Stakeholder collaboration

Policy development

Education

NQF Level 4

Job description

Spiritual Support Practitioner (30 hours per week)(post level 12) (contract appointment 3 years) (Job ID: 6665) - (2342)

Organizational Unit

University of the Free State -> Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture -> Student Counselling and Development

Contract Type

Contract

Occupational Level

Location

Closing Date

4/11/2026

Description

Duties and responsibilities

• Provide culturally responsive spiritual support services to students, particularly those presenting African Indigenous spiritual experiences, spiritual distress, spiritual callings, and related psychospiritual phenomena.
• Facilitate collaboration between students, families, traditional health practitioners, university support services, and relevant stakeholders in the management of culturally and spiritually complex cases.
• Contribute to the development of institution-wide frameworks, protocols, training programmes, and best practices for the recognition and management of Indigenous African spiritual phenomena within a higher education context.
• Assist with the development of a guideline, protocol and/ or policy for the management of students experiencing challenges with African indigenous spirituality at UFS (including the management of spaces needed for rituals in residences, etc).
• Act in accordance with the scope of practice and ethical guidelines as set out by the Interim Traditional Health Practitioners Council of South Africa according to the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007; Traditional Health Practitioners Regulations 2024.
• Assess and support of students presenting with spiritual distress and Indigenous spiritual experiences.
• Consult regarding psychospiritual presentations requiring culturally informed intervention.
• Facilitate referrals to appropriate traditional, spiritual, health, or counselling resources.
• Liaison with families and support systems where appropriate.
• Risk assessment and management of cases involving psychosocial or spiritual crises.
• Maintenance of professional records in accordance with ethical and institutional standards.
• Build cultural competency amongst student support practitioners.
• Present awareness programmes to academic staff, residences, student leaders, and support divisions.
• Develop psychoeducational resources on spiritual wellbeing and indigenous knowledge systems.
• Develop and facilitate training programmes on African Indigenous spirituality and student wellbeing.
• Contribute to the development and review of institutional policies relating to spiritual support.
• Develop culturally responsive intervention protocols.
• Advise university stakeholders on matters relating to Indigenous spiritual practices.
• Assist in establishing referral pathways between university services and community-based traditional practitioners.
• Contribute to research-informed best practice within the institution.
• Responsible for continuously responding to email inquiries, booking/ scheduling of sessions with students.
• Responsible for record-keeping, safeguarding clients’ confidential information and process notes
• Report writing and providing feedback to clients on interventions.
• Referral letter writing and communication with students via email or phone call for collection.
• Standard operating protocol documents and information.
• Liaise with traditional healers, community structures and spiritual leaders.
• Facilitate communication between students, families and university stakeholders.
• Participate in multidisciplinary case consultations.
• Develop strategic partnerships supporting culturally responsive student wellbeing.

Inherent requirements

• Grade 12 or national vocational certificate on NQF Level 4.
• Minimum of one (1) year’s relevant experience working within African Indigenous spiritual support with students in Higher Education.
• Applicants must demonstrate compliance with the applicable statutory regulatory framework governing the profession; where professional practice is supported by voluntary professional associations, membership of a recognised professional body relevant to the role will be accepted provided that such membership reflects appropriate ethical governance and professional standing; and the University will recognise equivalent professional registration, accreditation, or standing, ensuring that no applicant is excluded solely based on affiliation with, or non-affiliation to, a specific voluntary association (attach a copy).

Recommendations

• One (1) year of experience in providing spiritual support within a counselling setting in a higher education environment.
• Competency in an additional African Language

Required competencies

Results Orientated

• The ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations.
• 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 lead, take charge of situations, and offer opinions and directions to others.
• 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

01 January 2027 or as soon as possible.

Salary

The annual remuneration package, including benefits is R388 426.59 – R487 479.38 annum, depending on the budget available for the position, relevant work experience and qualifications.

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.

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

Personal information processing

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.

The University reserves the right not to fill the post. The UFS will only consider applications of candidates who meet all the inherent requirements of the position. Applications that are incomplete will not be considered. Communication will be limited to shortlisted candidates only. Should you not be contacted within six weeks of the closing date for applications, you may assume that your application was unsuccessful.

Inspiring excellence, transforming lives through quality, impact, and care.