Senior Officer: Social Worker; post level 9

Job Title

Senior Officer:
Social Worker (post level
9) (30 hours per week) (Job )

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

Permanent

Junior Management

South Campus – Bloemfontein, FS ZA (Primary)

24 July 2026

• Implement, monitor and evaluate Social Work activities.
• Organise, co‑coordinate and sustain activities and services designed to optimise the functioning of students.
• Manage and plan activities of the social work services in line with the National Health Calendar, Institutional Calendar, as well as Health and Wellness Centre's plan.
• Keep abreast with latest trends in Social Work and add value in creating and maintaining the culture of excellence.
• Provide support to the Assistant Director:
  Social Work Services in identifying potential areas of improvement in processes for social work services.
• Participate in various professional organisations and boards.
• Represent the Centre at all institutional bodies.
• Serve as member of institutional and provincial forums, e.g., community services committee;
  Bloemfontein Social Work Forum, etc.
• Compile reports.
• Attend Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities.
• Manage and render effective and efficient professional social services to clients in the areas of personal and social problems.
• Develop monitoring and evaluation tools for service delivery.
• Establish and facilitate support groups.
• Research relevant topics and arrange events for information sessions to be communicated using the SCD Influencers.
• Maintain client records and data.
• Create a supportive learning environment by providing support for financially needy students without creating dependency.
• Identify and attract new financial avenues, initiate and implement financial assistance programmes and identify students for inclusion in the relevant programmes.
• Plan, co‑coordinate and implement community engagement projects in conjunction with relevant bodies and promote student involvement.
• Handle the coordination and implementation of preventative programmes.
• Conduct general administration and reporting in line with SACSSP legislation.
• Contribute to the development of the Centre's annual performance plan.
• Perform other responsibilities as assigned by the Executive Director:
  Division of Student Affairs, Sports, Arts and Culture.
• Must be available to work overtime/after‑hours from time to time and travel to other campuses when operational need arises.

• Bachelor of Social Work on NQF Level 8 (attach a copy).
• Active registration (of at least two years) with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP) as a social worker (attach proof).
• Experience in providing psychoeducation to young adults.
• Proven knowledge of the scope of practice of a social worker according to SACSSP.

• Master’s degree on NQF Level 9 in Social Work (attach a copy).
• Valid driver’s licence (attach a copy) or eligible to obtain a driver's licence within one year.
• Excellent communication and language skills in English as well as one of the other official languages within South Africa.
• Professional casework, group work and community work skills and experience as above preferably in a health / wellness or similar tertiary context.
• Experience in developing and presenting / co‑facilitating groups / work sessions.
• Experience in rendering professional social work services within a Higher Education environment.
• Experience in multidisciplinary collaboration with different stakeholders on campus and off campus.
• Experience in networking and relationship building with NGOs and other organisations to enhance student wellbeing.

• Results Oriented: ability to cope with a frequently changing environment and to adapt to evolving situations; ability to deal calmly and effectively with high stress situations.
• Strategic Thinking: ability to handle several activities at a time; ability to be creative and open‑minded in addressing work issues.
• Business Acumen: ability to adhere to rules and strictly follow work regulations; proficient in using MS Office.
• Leadership:…