The University of Johannesburg (UJ) is a vibrant and cosmopolitan university, anchored in Africa and driven by a powerful strategy focused on attaining global excellence and stature (GES). With an emphasis on independent thinking, sustainable development, and strategic partnerships, UJ is an international university of choice. The University is guided by the Vice-Chancellors vision of Positioning UJ in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for societal impact in the context of the changing social, political, and economic fortunes of Africa.
Job Description
Job Description:
This role oversees and manages all student wellness and healthy living aspects, including psychological counselling, career development, and disability services. The director will provide strategic direction, leadership, and supervision to a team of professionals, ensuring the delivery of high-quality, student-centered services that promote mental health and career success. This position is pivotal in fostering students' holistic well-being and personal growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop and implement a comprehensive strategic vision that integrates career services, psychological services, disability services, and coaching services to enhance student success and well-being.
- Develop and maintain crisis response plans for mental health emergencies, career-related crises, or disability-related issues.
- Coordinate with campus security and other relevant departments to ensure a coordinated response to critical incidents.
- Promote and facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary cooperation among psychological services, career development, and disability support teams to provide holistic support to students.
- Identify opportunities for cross-functional initiatives that benefit students across these service areas.
- Oversee the provision confidential psychological counselling services to students, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.
- Develop and implement counselling programs, workshops, and resources to promote mental health and well-being among students.
- Lead efforts to provide career exploration, job search, and internship opportunities for students.
- Oversee accommodations and support services for students with disabilities to ensure equal access to educational opportunities.
- Collaborate with faculty and staff to implement reasonable accommodations in accordance with relevant and laws and regulations.
- Collaborate with employers, alumni and industry partners to create networking and career development opportunities.
- Establish and maintain appropriate systems (analytical tools, information systems, projections of cost behaviour), processes, and policies to ensure effective and efficient management of resources.
- Manage external contractors and suppliers within the unit and manage internal service-level agreements with other divisions.
- Ensure effective identification and management of business risks, resources and continuous improvement.
- Effectively manage resources (financial, human and physical) for the effective running of the unit.
- Ensure effective people management within the domain in line with the UJ policies and guidelines.
- Implement a governance framework to ensure the professional conduct of employees and upholding of UJ values and governance principles.
- Manage compliance with legislation, regulations, UJ policies and procedures within the Unit.
- Draft and submit annual, quarterly and monthly reports required or as delegated by the Senior Director: Academic Development and Support.
- Doctorate (NQF 10) or equivalent in Psychology or Social Work
- Five (5) to eight (8) years of experience in the Higher Education environment of South Africa as an academic or student support staff member
- Five (5) years of experience with student wellness, student psychosocial support, and student healthy living
- Five (5) years of leadership and management experience
- Five (5) years of proven research output
- Knowledge of resources (financial, human and physical) management
- General and operational management experience
- Experience in strategic management
- Knowledge of relevant statutory regulations
- Sound knowledge of and experience in Student Mental Health
- Professional registration with a recognised South African regulatory body
- Business acumen
- Quantitative statistical procedures
- Budgeting and financial management skills
- Critical Incident Stress Management
- Conflict resolution
- Negotiation skills
- Training
- Networking skills
- Presentation skills
- Problem-solving and analytical skills
- Creativity and innovation skills
- Leadership
- Interpersonal skills
- Strategic thinking
- Communication (written and verbal) skills
- Facilitation
- Computer literacy (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Oracle)
- Time management
Enquiries regarding the job content: Prof Thea de Wet at Tel: (011) 559-3558
Enquiries regarding remuneration and benefits: Miss Busisiwe Dumezweni at Tel: (011) 559-3012
