Student Counsellor

Africa International University, a chartered Christian university, is seeking a dedicated and professional Student Counsellor to join its team. This is a full-time position based at our campus.

As a Student Counsellor, you will play a vital role in supporting the mental health and well-being of our students and the wider university community. Your responsibilities will include providing individual counselling, conducting assessments, and developing intervention plans. You will maintain confidential records and offer support and referrals for specialized mental health services. Additionally, you will establish and manage a peer counselling program to foster a supportive student environment.

In crisis situations, you will respond promptly to trauma, bereavement, abuse, self-harm, and mental health emergencies. You will conduct risk assessments, implement interventions, and collaborate with departments and external professionals to ensure continuity of care.

You will design and implement mental health awareness, wellness, and resilience programs. This includes conducting seminars, workshops, and life-skills training on topics such as stress management, relationships, anxiety, depression, and healthy living. You will also promote positive mental health practices across the campus.

Academic and career support is another key aspect of this role. You will assist students with academic adjustment difficulties and personal barriers, support the development of coping strategies, decision-making skills, and personal growth plans, and collaborate with academic departments to enhance student success.

You will establish and maintain referral networks with healthcare providers, psychologists, psychiatrists, hospitals, and community agencies. You will monitor and follow up on referred cases to ensure adequate support and progress.

Collaboration is essential. You will work closely with faculty, residence staff, chaplaincy, disability support, and other support units. You will participate in multidisciplinary student welfare meetings and provide consultation to staff on student wellbeing concerns.

You will adhere to professional counselling ethics and confidentiality standards, ensure compliance with university policies, legal requirements, and safeguarding regulations, and prepare periodic reports and maintain counselling statistics.

Administrative responsibilities include maintaining counselling records and databases, developing annual work plans and budgets for counselling activities, preparing monthly, quarterly, and annual reports, and participating in departmental and university committees as assigned.

Working conditions require a willingness to teach at least one unit per semester in a relevant area. The role is office-based with occasional evening/weekend work for student activities and emergencies. You will have frequent interaction with students, faculty, parents/guardians, healthcare providers, and external partners.

Qualifications and Experience:

Academic Qualifications: A Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology, Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a related field is required. A PhD in Counselling Psychology, Clinical Psychology, or a related field will be an added advantage.

Professional Qualifications: You must be a registered and licensed counsellor with the relevant professional body and a member of a recognized counselling or psychological association.

Experience: A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in counselling, preferably in a higher education institution or youth-focused environment, is required.

Competencies, Skills and Abilities:

You must be a born-again Christian in good standing in family, church, and society. Strong counselling and interpersonal skills are essential, along with excellent listening, communication, and report-writing skills. You should possess crisis intervention and conflict-resolution skills, the ability to maintain confidentiality and professional boundaries, and knowledge of student development and mental health issues affecting young adults. The ability to work with diverse cultural and religious backgrounds is important, as are strong organizational and record-management skills. Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications and counselling management systems is required.

Method of Application:

Applications should be emailed to [Click the Apply button below to apply, and Create my CV to build a CV tailored to this offer, professionally] with the vacancy code in the subject line. Applicants should attach a cover letter, detailed resume, copies of academic credentials, and a duly filled job application form. The deadline for application is 7th September 2026 at 5.00pm.