Assistant Student Counsellor - Exciting Challenge

Position: Assistant Student Counsellor 

School/Department: Student Welfare and Academic Services

Reports to: Director of Student Welfare and Academic Services

Purpose

The Assistant Student Counsellor (Welfare) will be required to provide professional counselling services and support to the students of the University in the areas of wellbeing, personal/emotional concerns and academic-related issues.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Contribute at developing policies and procedures related to the operations of the counselling and welfare/wellbeing services according to the University of Reading UK's standardised processes.
• Maintain proper records and, manage confidential case-notes, database, statistics and other relevant information.
• To be able to provide individual and group counselling services.
• Organise and facilitate talks, seminars/workshops and activities related to student personal growth and academic needs, including soft skills such as coping with social anxiety, coping with grievances, time management, dealing with culture shock and fostering good relationships, to name a few.
• Provide support and assistance to students who may have disability concerns, special needs requirements or learning differences
• Provide support and assistance in the welfare of students.
• Able to identify the need to recommend that the student seeks professional advice by referring him/her to relevant authorities or individuals, based on evaluation made during the counselling sessions.
• Able to uphold client confidentiality in accordance with the professional, legal and ethical guidelines and be able to recognise the need to divulge information to relevant authorities or individuals based on the extent of the concerns.
• The post holder will also be handling matters pertaining to overdue of tuition fees.
• Prepare reports on a monthly basis.
• Prepare filing of all relevant documents for the purpose of audit.
• To support Welcome Week, Week 6 and other activities organised by SWAS.
• Assist at the Helpdesk when necessary.
   

Others

• The post-holder is expected to undertake any other duties that fall within the scope of the post as allocated by the line manager, following consultation with the post-holder.
• The ability to observe and work within the University of Reading values and professional behaviours framework:

https://www.reading.ac.uk/human-resources/-/media/project/functions/human-resources/documents/humresvalues-for-working-together-and-professional-behaviours.pdf?la=en&hash=0528F51C4148B5C8A1F0A9ECD90941E2

Supervision received

The post holder report directly to the Director of Student Welfare and Academics Services.

Contact

The post holder will have frequent contact with staff in Malaysia and the UK as well as students, applicants, and visitors.

Terms and conditions

The post is for a 1 year contract.  The probationary period is six months.  The post is based in Malaysia. 

Qualifications and Experience

CRITERIA

Attainment

Essential

• Degree in Psychology, Counselling or its equivalent
• Registered with the Malaysian Board of Counsellors

Relevant Experience

Desirable

• 1-3 years of relevant experience in the education sector

Skills Required

Essential

• Counselling skills or training
• Has knowledge of MS Office applications
• Able to analyse and convert data into reports
• Good communication and interpersonal skills

Knowledge

Desirable

• Knowledge of Act 580 is an added advantage

Disposition

Essential

• Comfortable at interacting with students and staff
• Mature and sensitive to student's needs and concerns 

Other

• Good command of the English language and Bahasa Malaysia
• Able to deal with critical matters or crisis without prejudice
• Shows an ability to work with highly confidential matters or case-notes
• Able to communicate and interact well with people of all levels