Kaiwhakamahereora | Counsellor

• Are you looking for a fixed-term, part-time role for up to 15 hours until November 2025?
• Do you have a University Degree or Post graduate qualification in a mental health or counselling related discipline?
• Have you got experience in psychology, psychotherapy, social work, or counselling, and supporting people from a range of backgrounds and cultures, particularly young adults?

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the role

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is currently recruiting a qualified and experienced Kaiwhakamahereora - Counsellor, Mental Health Nurse, Occupational Therapist, Psychologist, Psychotherapist, or Social Worker, to join our passionate and motivated team.  You will have a strong passion in working with young adults. If you are interested, read on.

Mauri Ora - Student Health and Counselling is seeking an experienced mental health clinician to join our team on fixed-term, part-time basis for up to 15 hours until November 2025. This exciting opportunity is to be a part of our Counselling Team which provides short-term counselling or therapeutic support to university students aged 18 to 25 as part of the Piki Programme.

Kaiwhakamahereora - Counsellors support students’ wellbeing and academic success through short-term counselling or therapy.  The Student Counselling Service works in a holistic and collaborative manner with our medical and nursing team, and other Students Services including Te Amaru - Disability Services, Te Taiako - Student Learning, Te Kahupapa - Wellington University International, and Tauria - Student Interest and Conflict Resolution.

Ō pūmanawa - About you

You must have the following:

• University Degree or Post graduate qualification in a mental health or counselling related discipline.
• Be a fully registered member of a relevant professional board or organisation in New Zealand and hold a current practicing certificate (for Counsellors, registration with NZAC with Te Whatu Ora Accreditation).
• Proven/demonstrated experience in psychology, psychotherapy, social work, or counselling, and supporting people from a range of backgrounds and cultures, particularly young adults.
• Experience in providing holistic mental health assessments and delivering a range of therapeutic approaches including solution focused, brief/time limited models of counselling.
• Experience in mental health crisis management and intervention.
• Proven ability to counsel using an approach that is non-judgemental, flexible, empathic, and sensitive to cultural, religious differences, gender, and sexual orientation.
• Experience and interest in working in a culturally safe approach with Māori and Pasifika students and applying cultural models of wellbeing.
• Ability to work in a flexible manner across different campus locations.

Role Description - Click here to see further information, including salary.

Close date for vacancy: 22 June 2025.

Contact details for vacancy: If you have any questions regarding this role, please get in touch with Laureline Darques, Clinical Lead, Counselling ([email protected]).

How to apply: Please ensure you are applying for this role directly on our career's page and not via email. When applying for this position, candidates must submit supporting documents along with their resume, such as a cover letter. Applicants who do not have residency or citizenship and require a visa to work at the University must clearly indicate their visa status in their application and understand that if they do not have a current, relevant visa, they will need to secure this independently.

We can only consider applicants who are citizens or residents of New Zealand or Australia or on a current working visa. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and we may progress with suitable applicants prior to the application closing date. Applications from recruitment agencies are not accepted.

Ētahi kōrero hai āwhina i a koe - Why you should join our team

We are a collegial team from a variety of cultural and professional backgrounds. We cultivate regular professional and social connections to foster a supportive and warm atmosphere. We offer competitive salary, and our team benefits include:

• 5 professional development days and individual professional development budget (pro rata).
• In-house professional development sessions on cultural and clinical topics.
• Fortnightly external clinical supervision (pro rata) & fortnightly in-house peer supervision.
• Professional indemnity insurance and annual registration (pro rata).

As a staff member of Te Herenga Waka, you will also benefit from University Holidays and staff discounts and packages. More info can be found here.

If you are curious, eager to work in a tight knit team and have a great sense of community you will fit right in!

About Us

Mō Te Herenga Waka - About Our University

Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington is renowned for its high-quality research and exceptional teaching. We attract people from around the world. Our university campus spans Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington - the creative, scientific and political centre of Aotearoa New Zealand - and our students thrive on the connections we have made here.

Explore the many benefits of working at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington. Find out where you fit in our strategic direction and learn more about our research expertise.