About the Role
The Department of Education is currently seeking a passionate and experienced Senior Education Psychologist Grade 1 to join their team in Zwelitsha, located in the Eastern Cape. This vital role is focused on facilitating the strategic development and implementation of psychoeducational support services within the framework of inclusive education. The Senior Education Psychologist will play a crucial role in ensuring that educational environments in Full-Service Schools, Public Ordinary Schools, and Special Schools meet international standards for inclusivity and specialized support services. By working closely with educators and other professionals, this role directly impacts the quality of education and well-being of learners facing barriers to learning in South Africa.
As a Senior Education Psychologist, you will have the opportunity to contribute to system transformation by utilizing data-driven approaches to inform planning, monitoring, and decision-making processes. This role is essential in creating a supportive and inclusive educational system that promotes the holistic development of all learners, ensuring that they receive the tailored support they need to thrive academically and emotionally.
About the Department
The Department of Education is dedicated to enhancing the quality of education in South Africa by providing comprehensive support and resources to schools and educational institutions. Its mission encompasses fostering inclusive educational practices that cater to diverse learner needs, ensuring that every child has access to a high-quality education. Working within this department offers the chance to make a meaningful impact on the future of South African youth, contributing to a more equitable and just education system.
What You’ll Do
- Lead the strategic planning and implementation of psychoeducational support services.
- Manage and oversee budgets related to psychosocial support services and learning materials.
- Develop and implement data collection systems to guide psychological interventions.
- Supervise and mentor psychologists, psychometrists, and counselors within the department.
- Create orientation and training materials for effective psychosocial support services.
- Ensure compliance with relevant educational policies and acts.
- Foster collaboration with educational stakeholders to enhance inclusive practices.
What You’ll Need
- Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a psychologist in the relevant category (Educational or Counselling).
- A master’s degree in educational or counselling psychology.
- A minimum of three (3) years of experience as an Independent Psychologist post-registration.
- Strong communication skills in English, both written and verbal.
- Demonstrated integrity, professionalism, and self-motivation.
- Experience in project management and knowledge of relevant educational policies is advantageous.
- A valid driver’s license is required.
How to Apply
Please submit your application before the closing date as late applications will not be considered.
Requirements
Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) as a psychologist in a relevant registration category (Educational or Counselling), with a master’s degree in educational or counselling psychology.A minimum of three (3) years’ experience post-registration as an Independent Psychologist.
Demonstrated personal attributes: integrity, professionalism, self-motivation, and the ability to function effectively within a team.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, with a high level of proficiency in English.
Added advantage: Experience in both psychotherapy and psycho-educational support services.
Experience in project management such as concessions and accommodation and psychosocial support services within an educational context.
Knowledge and experience in the development, implementation, and management of data collection systems to inform psychological strategic interventions.
Clear understanding of relevant policies and acts relevant to IE such as EWP 6, SIAS policy, and PAM.
A valid driver’s license.
Job Duties
The Senior Psychologist will facilitate the strategic development and implementation of psychoeducational support services, within the context of inclusive education as per relevant policies such as WP6, SIAS, ext.within Full-Service Schools, Public Ordinary schools and Special Schools to meet international standards for specialized support services and inclusivity.
Clear understanding of system transformation variables and processes required to establish and sustain an inclusive education system in order to provide support services.
Utilize data-driven approaches to guide planning, monitoring, and decision-making within the inclusive education system, such as support and referral data systems.
Oversight of resource allocation, budget frameworks, monitoring systems, and supervision processes to ensure effective psychosocial service delivery.
The senior psychologist will lead the strategic planning, allocation, and management of budgets related to psychosocial support services.
Oversee and monitor of the centralised budgets for Learning and Teaching Support Materials (LTSM) and assistive devices aligned to therapeutic and support needs of learners experiencing barriers to learning.
Consideration of Personnel Administrative Measures (PAM) in the planning, allocation, and management of human resources within psychosocial and inclusive education support services.
Management of psychologists, psychometrists and counsellors pertaining to project management, tools of trade, training and development and relevant policy development.
Development of orientation and training material for psychosocial support services.
