Spiritual Support Practitioner- University of the Free State (3 Years)
Job Details
- Job Title: Spiritual Support Practitioner (30 Hours per Week) – Post Level 12
- Company: University of the Free State (UFS)
- Department: Student Affairs, Sport, Arts and Culture – Student Counselling and Development
- Location: Qwaqwa Campus, Free State
- Job ID: 6665
- Reference Number: 2342
- Employment Type: Contract
- Contract Duration: 3 Years
- Working Hours: 30 Hours per Week
- Occupational Level: Semi-Skilled
- Closing Date: 04 November 2026
- Assumption of Duty: 01 January 2027 or as soon as possible
- Salary: R388,426.59 – R487,479.38 per annum (including benefits), depending on available budget, relevant experience and qualifications.
Job Description
The University of the Free State is seeking a suitably qualified and experienced Spiritual Support Practitioner to join its Student Counselling and Development division at the Qwaqwa Campus.
The successful candidate will provide culturally responsive spiritual support services to students, particularly those experiencing African Indigenous spiritual experiences, spiritual distress, spiritual callings and related psychospiritual challenges.
The role involves assessing and supporting students with spiritual and psychosocial concerns, facilitating referrals to appropriate traditional health practitioners and counselling services, and working with families, university support structures and community stakeholders.
The successful candidate will also contribute to developing institutional policies, awareness programmes, training initiatives and culturally sensitive support frameworks that promote student wellbeing and recognise African Indigenous spiritual practices within the higher education environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Spiritual Support and Student Services
Provide culturally responsive spiritual support to students experiencing spiritual distress, African Indigenous spiritual experiences and related psychospiritual challenges.
Assess and support students presenting with spiritual and Indigenous spiritual concerns.
Conduct consultations and provide culturally informed interventions.
Facilitate referrals to appropriate traditional, spiritual, healthcare and counselling services.
Liaise with families and relevant support systems where appropriate.
Conduct risk assessments and manage cases involving psychosocial or spiritual crises.
Maintain professional records in accordance with ethical and institutional standards.
2. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Facilitate collaboration between students, families, traditional health practitioners, university support services and other relevant stakeholders.
Liaise with traditional healers, community structures and spiritual leaders.
Facilitate communication between students, families and university stakeholders.
Participate in multidisciplinary case consultations.
Establish strategic partnerships that support culturally responsive student wellbeing.
Assist in developing referral pathways between university services and community-based traditional practitioners.
3. Training, Awareness and Development
Build cultural competency among student support practitioners.
Conduct awareness programmes for academic staff, student 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 research-informed best practices within the institution.
4. Policy and Institutional Development
Contribute to developing institutional frameworks, protocols, training programmes and best practices for recognising and managing African Indigenous spiritual phenomena.
Assist in developing guidelines, protocols and policies for supporting students experiencing challenges related to African Indigenous spirituality.
Provide input on managing spaces required for rituals in student residences.
Contribute to developing and reviewing institutional policies relating to spiritual support.
Develop culturally responsive intervention protocols.
Advise university stakeholders on matters relating to Indigenous spiritual practices.
Ensure professional practice complies with applicable ethical and statutory requirements, including the Traditional Health Practitioners Act 22 of 2007 and the Traditional Health Practitioners Regulations, 2024.
5. Administration and Reporting
Respond to email enquiries and manage student appointment bookings and scheduling.
Maintain accurate records and safeguard confidential student information and process notes.
Prepare reports and provide feedback to clients regarding interventions.
Write referral letters and communicate with students via email or telephone.
Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and relevant information documents.
Coordinate communication with students, families and relevant stakeholders.
Requirements and Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
Grade 12 or a National Vocational Certificate at NQF Level 4.
At least one (1) year’s relevant experience working within African Indigenous spiritual support with students in a higher education environment.
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 it demonstrates appropriate ethical governance and professional standing.
Equivalent professional registration, accreditation or standing will also be recognised.
Applicants must attach proof of relevant professional registration, accreditation, membership or standing.
Important: The University will not exclude applicants solely because they are affiliated or not affiliated with a specific voluntary professional association.
Recommendations
The following will be advantageous:
At least one (1) year’s experience providing spiritual support within a counselling setting in a higher education environment.
Competency in an additional African language.
Required Competencies and Skills
1. Results Orientation
Ability to adapt to frequently changing environments and evolving situations.
Ability to remain calm and effective under pressure.
2. Strategic Thinking
Ability to manage multiple tasks and responsibilities simultaneously.
Creativity and open-mindedness when addressing workplace challenges.
3. Business Acumen
Ability to follow institutional policies, procedures and regulations.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office.
4. Leadership
Ability to take charge of situations and provide guidance and direction.
Strong teamwork and cooperation skills.
Ability to encourage collaboration among colleagues.
5. Building Coalitions
Good interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to understand and respond sensitively to the needs of others.
Ability to establish and maintain positive professional relationships.
Salary and Fringe Benefits
The annual remuneration package includes benefits and will depend on the available budget, relevant work experience and qualifications.
Additional fringe benefits, subject to specific conditions, include:
Pension scheme.
Medical aid scheme.
Group life insurance.
Housing allowance.
Annual leave and sick leave.
Service bonus.
Study benefits.