Postgraduate Student Advisor, Office Dean, Faculty of Veterinary Science

UP Professional and Support

FACULTY OF VETERINARY SCIENCE

OFFICE OF THE DEAN

POSTGRADUATE STUDENT ADVISOR

PEROMNES POST LEVEL 8

In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.

The University of Pretoria's commitment to quality makes us one of the top research Universities in the country and gives us a competitive advantage in international science and technology development.

The incumbent will be responsible for providing specialist academic, professional and psychosocial support to promote the academic success, wellbeing and professional development of postgraduate students, postdoctoral fellows, MMedVet residents, and veterinary interns within the Faculty of Veterinary Science. The successful candidate will provide specialist individual coaching and developmental support while designing, implementing and evaluating innovative programmes and strategic student success initiatives that promote academic achievement, resilience, wellbeing and professional development.

• Providing confidential individual coaching, counselling and developmental support to postgraduate students (including postdoctoral fellows and MMedVet residents) and veterinary interns experiencing academic, personal or professional challenges;
• Identifying students at risk and implementing appropriate evidence-based intervention strategies to improve academic success, wellbeing and timely completion;
• Developing, implementing and evaluating evidence-informed programmes, workshops and short courses that promote academic success, resilience, leadership, professional identity formation and successful transition into professional practice;
• Coordinating and presenting the annual induction programme to all newly registered postgraduate students, as well as the compulsory transition programmes that prepare veterinary interns and MMedVet residents for the professional and clinical working environment;
• Developing and providing workshops on topics such as stress management, resilience, communication, conflict management, leadership, wellbeing and professional development;
• Working closely with the Faculty Postgraduate Student Association and supporting the planning, coordination and implementation of student wellbeing and wellness initiatives;
• Referring students to appropriate University support services where required and liaising with relevant stakeholders regarding student support interventions;
• Working collaboratively with academic staff, supervisors, Heads of Department and Faculty management to strengthen postgraduate academic success, wellbeing and professional development initiatives;
• Contributing to the development of a supportive, inclusive and student-centred postgraduate culture within the Faculty;
• Monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of interventions, maintaining appropriate records and preparing reports on student support activities and outcomes;
• Contributing to the strategic development of Faculty initiatives that enhance postgraduate academic success, student wellbeing, professional development and timely completion; and
• Performing any other duties as determined by the Dean or Deputy Dean:
  Research and Postgraduate Studies.

• A Master's degree in Educational Psychology;
• Current registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as an Educational Psychologist;
• At least three years' relevant professional experience in student development, academic support, coaching or counselling within a higher education or comparable professional training environment;
• Demonstrated experience in designing, facilitating and evaluating developmental programmes, workshops or structured training interventions; and
• Demonstrated experience in providing individual coaching and facilitating group-based interventions for students or young professionals within a higher education or comparable professional training environment, particularly in high-performance academic, research or clinical settings.

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Sound knowledge of postgraduate student development, academic success and wellbeing within a higher education environment;
• Sound knowledge of adult learning principles, leadership development, resilience, professional identity formation and student success interventions;
• Excellent coaching,…