The Office for Students with Disabilities within the Centre for Student Support Services at the University of the Western Cape plays a pivotal role in ensuring that students living with diverse disabilities are supported to participate fully and equitably in university life. Rooted in the values of inclusion, dignity, and empowerment, the office’s core mission is to facilitate access to academic and co-curricular opportunities while providing responsive psychosocial support to promote holistic student development. Central to this mandate is the Specialist: Student Wellness, who plays a key role in supporting students’ mental health and personal development, coordinating tailored interventions, and collaborating across the university and with external partners to advance a culture of access, dignity, wellness and belonging.

Key Performance Areas

• Assess and facilitate the disability-related academic support needs of students within the OSwD.
• Coordinate and oversee the monitoring and evaluation of the psycho-social needs of students with disabilities.
• Provide regular, ongoing progress reports on mental health support offered to students with disabilities. 
• Produce written reports on services, programs or initiatives offered in OSWD.
• Assist as a referral agent for further mental health support to students. 
• Collaborate with relevant internal and external stakeholders to enhance unique support initiatives for students with disabilities. 
• Coordinate and facilitate personal mastery and empowerment, training and development. 
• Conduct individual counselling and coaching sessions for students with disabilities and other participants of programs offered by OSWD. 
• Coordinate disability awareness efforts, training, and facilitation in line with departmental goals. 
• Engage actively in relevant research.

Minimum Requirements (Qualification and Experience)

• An Honours Degree in Psychology or a 4-year Social Work or relevant field at NQF 8
• 5 years of relevant work experience in facilitation, coaching, and counselling in Higher Education
• Experience working with students with disabilities
• Valid registration with South African Professional body 

Required competencies 

• Good interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.
• Counselling skills 
• Coaching skills
• Display strong work ethic, compassion, commitment and trust. 
• Strong administrative, planning, and organizational skills.
• An understanding of relevant theories pertaining to student development and disability services.
• Practical experience to plan and facilitate group training.
• Experience in advocacy for persons with disabilities
• Proven track record of excellent team work.
• Professional Report writing.
• Strong leadership and computer literacy skills.
• Ability to take initiative and to work independently.
• Ability to collect, process and interpret program evaluation and student feedback data.
• Research skills 
• Digital Acumen