RESPONSIBILITIES:

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Strategic and compliance management:

• Align the Disability Unit (DU) to the university’s strategic goal;
• Conduct research and provide report on departmental statistics;
• Develop policies to assist students with disabilities;
• Contribute to the department’s strategic plan;
• Comply with national legislation, regulations, and policy directives applicable to the DU’s function;
• Comply with internal UP policies, departmental practices, and procedures;
• Identify and manage possible risks and implement corrective measures;
• Represent the university and participate in the Higher Education Disability Services Association (HEDSA);
• Serve as a university liaison with relevant government and external agencies, focusing on students with disabilities, where required;

Disability support and management:

• Overall support for students with disabilities;
• Consult students with disabilities and provide guidance for accommodation; 
• Provide advice on academic adjustments and reasonable accommodation with regard to students’ academic programmes;
• Referral to the Student Counselling Unit for further support for students with learning disabilities or possible diagnostic assessment;
• Liaise with internal and external stakeholders on accessibility and support issues;  

Human Resources, marketing, Financial management and administration:

• Manage Human Resources and Finances within the portfolio in accordance with University policies and guidelines;
• Overall management and completion of administration;

Technical support:

• Manage and coordinate technical support for students.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

• Honours degree in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, Occupational therapy, or related disability-oriented field;
• A total of four years’ experience in/with:
• Working in a Higher Education institution with students, or with students with disabilities;
• Financial and human resources management;
• Concession applications;
• Working with applicable computer programmes for persons with disabilities or students;
• Research and policy development.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES (SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND BEHAVIOURAL ATTRIBUTES):

Knowledge of:

• Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA);
• Concession assessments;
• Disability support services;
• Assistive technology and facilitating access of information in alternative formats;
• Tertiary educational institutional systems;  

Technical competencies:

• Administrative skills;
• Professional, accurate and useful reports;
• Maintain accurate records;
• Project management;
• Technical assistive technology skills;

Behavioural competencies:

• Interpersonal skills;
• Communication skills (written and spoken);
• Sensitivity to a diverse environment;
• Planning, organising, and prioritising skills;
• Professionalism;
• Ability to handle information with high confidentiality;
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team;
• Ability to work under pressure;
• A thorough understanding of the impact of disability on the academic, social and personal life of students;
• An understanding of disability in the wider context of diversity, and inclusion, presentation, and facilitation skills;
• Experience in conducting staff/student awareness training;
• Ability to manage projects and awareness campaigns;
• Analytical skills;
• Interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently.

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES:

• Relevant Master’s degree in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work or related Disability-oriented field;
• HPCSA registration;
• A total of two years’ experience in writing funding proposals.