Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor - Education and Counselling

We are seeking a Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor to join the University’s Institute of Education - Te Kura o Te Mātauranga within the College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

This position offers an exciting opportunity for an experienced and collegial academic and/or educator to contribute to teaching, research, supervision, and professional practice within Counselling and related fields in Aotearoa.

We welcome applicants with expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Counselling and Guidance Education
• Mental Health and Social Work Support
• Family and Couples Therapy
• Trauma-Informed Practice
• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy
• Indigenous/Māori/Pasifika Coaching, Therapy, or Healing Practice

The successful applicant will contribute to the continued development of accredited programmes, support student success, engage in research and scholarship, foster strong relationships with professional, community, health and educational stakeholders, and contribute to fulfilling Te Tiriti o Waitangi obligations.

About this role

This is a full-time, ongoing Senior Lecturer or Associate Professor appointment based at our Manawatū (Palmerston North) campus.

Salary will be commensurate with skills, experience, and academic achievement, with appointment made at either Senior Lecturer (NZ$107,919 - $152,711) or Associate Professor (NZ$142,607 - $166,584) level.

Reporting to the Head of the Institute of Education - Te Kura o te Mātauranga and Director of Accredited Programmes, in association with the Kaihautū Māori, you will contribute to learning and teaching, professional practice, student supervision, research and scholarship, and service within the Institute and wider University community.

The role will include a focused contribution within Counselling Education programmes. In addition, opportunities and engagement across undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes may be possible based on interests and expertise.

The Institute of Education offers a suite of respected programmes for initial teacher education, specialist teachers, counsellors, educational and developmental psychologists, speech language therapists, and professional learning and researcher development for experienced educators, leaders, and practitioners.

Our Counselling pathway includes the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies and the Master of Counselling, an NZAC-accredited counsellor education programme that prepares graduates for provisional membership of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).

The Postgraduate Diploma is delivered fully online through distance education and is the only postgraduate programme of its kind in Aotearoa New Zealand. It provides foundational knowledge in counselling theory, Te Tiriti-informed practice, and counselling with young people, families, and couples.

The Master of Counselling builds on this foundation through supervised counselling practice, research, and two compulsory wānanga/block courses each year.

Throughout both qualifications, students develop culturally responsive and ethically grounded counselling practice aligned with the NZAC Code of Ethics, preparing graduates to work confidently with diverse communities across Aotearoa New Zealand.

About you

The position requires:

• An academic who is committed to upholding Te Tiriti.
• A doctoral qualification with a developing academic and/or professional record.
• A respected professional and educator with a strong reputation in your field.
• Experience in counselling practice, mental health support, psychotherapy, family therapy, and/or related professional settings.
• Evidence of effective teaching, supervision, and student support.
• Experience or potential in research, scholarship, and publication.
• An experienced networker and relationship builder with excellent interpersonal skills.

Membership of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), or an equivalent professional body, is desirable.

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