Psychologist I Contract Opportunity at Rhodes University

The Student Services and Development Department at Rhodes University invites qualified and professional candidates to apply for the contract position of Psychologist I. Operating within the Student Affairs Student Wellness Division, this crucial role supports the holistic psychological well-being, mental health, and academic persistence of Rhodes University students. The successful candidate will provide essential counselling and therapeutic interventions tailored to the diverse needs of an active tertiary education community.

As a key health care provider within the institution, the appointed counselling psychologist will deliver evidence-based psychological support across individual and group settings. This fixed-term 12-month opportunity is structured for a dedicated professional eager to apply their therapeutic knowledge, assessment capabilities, and career guidance skills in a vibrant higher education environment committed to social transformation and student wellness.

Key Responsibilities & Core Duties

• Provide individual counselling and psychological psychotherapy sessions to registered students presenting with personal, emotional, and social challenges.
• Deliver comprehensive career guidance, career counselling, and psychometric assessment services to current and prospective university students.
• Facilitate educational workshops, support groups, and developmental psycho-educational interventions focused on mental health awareness and coping strategies.
• Perform formal psychometric evaluations and diagnostic assessments to support student academic performance and personal development.
• Maintain strictly confidential, ethical, and accurate clinical case notes and psychological records in compliance with statutory professional requirements.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary campus support units, wellness staff, and academic departments to ensure coordinated care.

Ideal Candidate Profile & Core Attributes

• A high level of clinical empathy, active listening, and refined interpersonal communication suitable for adolescent and young adult populations.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and the capacity to engage thoughtfully with a diverse, multicultural tertiary student body.
• Ethical integrity and deep commitment to the professional standards established by the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
• Resilience and sound judgement when managing crisis interventions, psychological emergencies, and acute emotional distress.

Learning, Mentorship & Career Progression

Working at Rhodes University provides rich institutional exposure to higher education student development practices, complex clinical presentations, and community-level mental health initiatives. The incumbent will operate alongside seasoned clinical and educational professionals, expanding their practical portfolio in tertiary wellness systems, group facilitation, and psychometric administration. This contract serves as an outstanding platform to consolidate professional experience within public higher education.

How to Apply & Submission Guidelines

Prospective applicants are required to review the official Job Profile and complete their submission online via the Rhodes University Simplify recruitment portal. Handwritten or incomplete applications will be disqualified. Candidates must upload a succinct motivation letter addressing each job requirement individually, a comprehensive CV detailing previous reasons for leaving and direct line-manager references, and certified copies of all relevant qualifications and HPCSA registration. The university application deadline is 20 November 2026.

• A recognized Master's degree in Counselling Psychology.
• Active independent practice registration as a Counselling Psychologist with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
• Successful completion of an accredited psychology internship of at least twelve months.
• Demonstrated practical experience in career guidance, individual psychotherapy, group counselling, or psychometric evaluation.
• Familiarity with secondary school learner guidance or tertiary student development environments is advantageous.