Apply now: Family Counsellor/Social Worker vacancies (x2) in Durban & Kwa-Mhlanga. Salary up to R725k. DOJ&CD closes 18 Aug 2025. SACSSP required!

Use your social work expertise to serve justice. Join the Office of the Family Advocate and support the rights of children and families across South Africa.

Family Counsellor Post Overview

• Position: Family Counsellor / Social Worker (Grade 1 – 4)
• Reference Numbers & Locations:
  • Kwa-Mhlanga Magistrate Office – Ref No: 2025/30/MP (X1 Post)
  • Durban – Ref No: 25/21/KZN (X1 Post)
• Department: Office of the Family Advocate – Department of Justice and Constitutional Development
• Closing Date: 18 August 2025
• Salary Range: R325,200 – R725,754 per annum
  (Salary based on experience and qualifications in accordance with OSD)

Minimum Requirements

To be considered, applicants must have:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work or equivalent qualification
• Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)
• Appropriate post-registration experience as a Social Worker
• Proven experience in:
  • Mediation and conflict resolution
  • Court appearances as an expert witness
  • Family law matters
• Knowledge of relevant legislation including:
  • Children’s Act
  • Maintenance Act
  • Domestic Violence Act
  • Mediation in Certain Divorce Matters Act
  • Hague Convention on International Child Abduction
• A valid driver’s license and willingness to travel extensively

Skills and Competencies

• Mediation and negotiation abilities
• Strong interviewing and evaluation skills
• Excellent report writing and forensic assessment
• Attention to detail and objective analysis
• Conflict and diversity management
• Computer literacy, especially MS Word
• Professional and confidential communication skills (verbal & written)

Key Responsibilities

As a Family Counsellor, you will:

• Conduct forensic investigations into family law disputes
• Mediate and evaluate disputes to determine the best interests of minor children
• Compile comprehensive reports and act as an expert witness in court
• Facilitate case flow management and ensure procedural compliance
• Travel to townships and rural areas to interview parties and sources
• Apply and interpret relevant family law legislation in practical casework
• Support the Family Advocate in litigation and custody matters

Location-Specific Application Instructions

Mpumalanga – Kwa-Mhlanga (Ref No: 2025/30/MP)

• Postal Address:
  The Provincial Head
  Private Bag X11249
  24 Brown Street, Nedbank Centre, 4th Floor
  Nelspruit, 1200
• OR Apply Online:
  https://forms.office.com/r/X2XaVPasWu
• Enquiries: Ms KN Zwane – 060 532 2006

KwaZulu-Natal – Durban (Ref No: 25/21/KZN)

• Physical/Courier Address:
  Recruitment Unit
  First Floor, 2 Devonshire Place
  Off Anton Lembede Street, Durban
• OR Apply Online:
  https://forms.office.com/r/X2XaVPasWu
• Enquiries: Ms V.T. Mlandeliso – 031 372 3000

Required Documents for Family Counsellor role

Include the following in your application:

• Fully completed Z83 form (latest version)
• Detailed and recently updated CV
• Certified copies of:
  • Identity Document
  • Academic qualification(s)
  • Proof of SACSSP registration
  • Driver’s license

Important Notes

• Applicants must not appear on Part B of the Child Protection Register as per Section 123(5) of the Children’s Act, 2005
• Separate applications are required per location (Kwa-Mhlanga or Durban)
• Shortlisted candidates must submit:
  • Proof of SACSSP registration
  • Any additional documents as required by the selection panel

Ideal Candidates Are:

• Experienced forensic social workers or court-aligned counsellors
• Passionate about child protection and family justice
• Familiar with mediation techniques and family dispute resolution
• Comfortable with courtroom environments and expert testimony
• Committed to justice, professionalism, and empathy

Why Join the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development?

The Office of the Family Advocate plays a vital role in safeguarding the rights of children in South Africa. By joining the DOJ&CD, you become part of a national mission to:

• Protect vulnerable children during family disputes and custody battles
• Promote amicable dispute resolution through mediation services
• Support the best interest of the child in all legal proceedings
• Provide expert input that shapes judicial decisions on parental rights, care, contact, and guardianship

Working with the DOJ&CD means making a real difference in family law while advancing your career in social work, mediation, and forensic assessment.

What to Expect in the Role

This is not a typical office job. As a Family Counsellor/Social Worker:

• You’ll operate in emotionally complex environments
• Deal with cases involving domestic violence, custody disputes, and child relocation
• Use your social science expertise to influence legal outcomes
• Collaborate with legal practitioners, magistrates, psychologists, and community stakeholders
• Conduct interviews with both parents and children to understand living conditions and psychological well-being
• Prepare reports that align with court protocols and ethical guidelines
• Travel to remote areas, including informal settlements, to carry out site inspections and community-based inquiries

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