Head of Department: Student Counselling

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

Location
Cape Town, Western Cape
Minimum qualification
Bachelor's degree
Closing date

First listed . Last checked at source .

In brief

**Overview** This role is for a Head of Department: Student Counselling at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. The position's purpose is to effectively manage the University's Student Counselling functions and services, aimed at facilitating student access, development, wellness, retention, and throughput. It also involves effectively controlling the support and professional assistance provided by Student Counselling staff to CPUT students, prospective students, and staff, through strategic planning, quality assurance, financial management, staff performance management, staff development, and internal and external liaison. **What you will do** Key responsibilities for this role include: * Managing the Operational functioning and Strategic Planning for Student Counselling services and projects in the institution. * Managing Student Counselling’s Human Resources. * Managing and taking responsibility for quality Management, records management, and compliance in the department. * Managing and taking responsibility for Financial Planning budgeting, Expenditure, and Administration of the department. * Developing and maintaining Partnerships, liaising with both internal and external Stakeholders, and overseeing the Marketing of the department. * Managing the Department’s Professional Counselling psychological and welfare Services to registered CPUT students related to their academic, career, and personal/social well-being, psychometric assessment, as well as career assessment and counselling. **Requirements (from the original advert)** * **Minimum requirements:** * Master’s Degree M+5 in Counselling Psychology / Clinical Psychology / Educational Psychology, or Master of Social Work. * Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a psychologist, or registration with the South African Council for Social Services Professional (SACSSP) as a social worker. * Seven years’ work experience as a registered psychologist, or social worker. * Three years’ experience in management of a Student Counselling in a Higher Education Department / Centre. * **Recommended experience:** * Five years’ work experience in rendering psychological or social welfare services in a Higher Education environment. * Applicants applying with Masters in Social Work are recommended to have Clinical Social Work Masters. **Who should apply** The ideal candidate should possess a Master’s Degree (M+5) in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, or Social Work, and be registered with either the HPCSA as a psychologist or the SACSSP as a social worker. They should have a minimum of seven years of work experience in their registered profession, with at least three years of experience managing a Student Counselling department or centre within a Higher Education environment. Candidates with five years of experience in psychological or social welfare services in Higher Education are recommended, and those with a Master's in Social Work are advised to have a Clinical Social Work Master's. Key competencies include strong technical and professional knowledge, a customer/client focus, professional and ethical behavior, excellent communication, ability to build trust and gain commitment, administrative skills including time management, adaptability, ability to contribute to team success, computer literacy, and research skills. **Deadline** 01 November 2026 **Reference** Original posting: https://www.myjobmag.co.za/job/head-of-department-student-counselling-cape-peninsula-university-of-technology Source: myjobmag

Summary drafted with AI assistance from the original advert. The advert itself is the authority — how we use AI.

At a glance

  • At least 3 years of experience.

Extracted automatically from the advert; confirm requirements on the original listing.

Job description

Job Purpose * To effectively manage the Student Counselling functions and services at the University, aimed at facilitating student access, development, wellness, retention and throughput. * To effectively control the support and professional assistance that are provided by Student Counselling’s staff to CPUT students, prospective students and staff, through strategic planning, quality assurance, financial management, staff performance management, staff development, internal and external liaison. Job Knowledge, Skills and Experience Minimum requirements: * Master’s Degree M+5 in Counselling Psychology / Clinical Psychology / Educational Psychology, or Master of Social Work. * Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa HPCSA as psychologist, or registration with the South African Council for Social Services Professional SACSSP as social worker. * Seven years’ work experience as registered psychologist, or social worker. * 3 years’ experience in management of a Student Counselling in a Higher Education Department / Centre. Recommended experience: * Five years’ work experience in rendering psychological or social welfare services in a Higher Education environment. * Applicants applying with Masters in Social Work is recommended to have Clinical Social Work Masters. Key Performance Areas / Principal Accountabilities * Manages the Operational functioning and Strategic Planning for Student Counselling services and projects in the institution * Manages Student Counselling’s Human Resources * Manages and takes responsibility for quality Management, records management and compliance in the department * Manages and takes responsibility for Financial Planning budgeting, Expenditure and Administration of department * Develops and maintains Partnerships and Liaise with both internal and external Stakeholders and oversees the Marketing of department * Manages the Department’s Professional Counselling psychological and Welfare welfare Services to registered CPUT students related to their academic, career and personal /social well-being, psychometric assessment, as well as career assessment and counselling. Competencies * Technical and professional knowledge * Customer / client focus * Demonstrate professional and ethical behavior * Communication * Building trust * Gaining commitment * Administrative skill and managing work incl. time management * Adaptability * Contributing to team success * Computer literacy * Research Closing Date: 01 November 2026

Before you apply

  • Confirm the requirements and closing date on the original listing (myjobmag). SPANi lists vacancies from other sites and may not reflect last-minute changes.
  • Legitimate employers do not charge application, registration or training fees.
  • Don't send your ID or bank details before you have confirmed the employer is real.

How to spot a job scam

Before you apply

  • Read the full advert and confirm you meet the minimum requirements before applying.
  • Tailor your CV headline and most recent experience to the job title and key skills.
  • Note the closing date and reference number, and keep a copy of what you submit.
  • Apply only through the employer or job board link — never pay to apply.

Similar roles

Healthcare & Medical

Renal Registered Nurse/ Clinical Technologist

Life HealthcareCape Town, Western Cape

Provide effective Infection Control and SHEQ by Ensuring effective relationships with internal/external stakeholders by Ensuring the effective functioning of equipment and instrumentation

Get new healthcare & medical jobs in western cape by email

Free. No account needed. Unsubscribe with one click.

We only use your email to send this alert. See our privacy policy.

Head of Department: Student Counselling at Cape Peninsula University of Technology | SPANi - South African Jobs