Chaplain
Directorate of Student Affairs
Chaplain
About the Position
The University of Malawi invites applications from suitably qualified, committed, and spiritually mature individuals for the position of University Chaplain. The successful candidate will provide spiritual leadership, pastoral care, counselling, and guidance to students, academic staff, administrative personnel, and the wider university community.
The University seeks a person of integrity who can promote spiritual growth, ethical leadership, compassion, unity, and peaceful coexistence in a diverse academic environment.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
The Chaplain will be responsible for:
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Providing spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and counselling to students and staff.
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Organising and conducting worship services, prayer meetings, Bible studies, and other spiritual activities.
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Offering emotional and spiritual support to members of the university community during times of grief, illness, stress, and personal challenges.
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Promoting moral values, ethical conduct, discipline, peace, reconciliation, and responsible citizenship.
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Coordinating chaplaincy programmes, religious activities, retreats, seminars, and spiritual conferences.
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Supporting students' holistic development, including their spiritual, emotional, social, and moral wellbeing.
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Working collaboratively with student organisations, university management, staff associations, and religious groups.
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Promoting interfaith dialogue, religious tolerance, inclusion, and respect for different beliefs.
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Visiting students and staff who are sick, bereaved, or experiencing personal difficulties.
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Maintaining appropriate confidentiality and professional boundaries in pastoral counselling.
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Preparing chaplaincy work plans, activity reports, and budgets as required.
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Performing any other duties reasonably assigned by university management.
Qualifications and Requirements
Applicants should possess the following qualifications and attributes:
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A recognised degree in Theology, Divinity, Religious Studies, Pastoral Ministry, or a related field.
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Ordination, commissioning, or formal recognition by a recognised religious denomination, where applicable.
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Relevant experience in pastoral ministry, chaplaincy, counselling, or religious leadership.
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Demonstrated ability to provide pastoral care and spiritual guidance to people from diverse backgrounds.
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Excellent communication, interpersonal, leadership, and organisational skills.
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High standards of integrity, confidentiality, professionalism, and personal conduct.
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Ability to work collaboratively with students, academic staff, university management, and external religious organisations.
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Basic computer skills and the ability to prepare reports and manage programmes.
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Additional training in counselling, psychology, youth ministry, or student welfare will be an added advantage.
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Developing and maintaining rapport between the University and religious bodies
Personal Attributes
The ideal candidate should be compassionate, approachable, prayerful, trustworthy, emotionally mature, culturally sensitive, and committed to the spiritual and holistic development of the university community.
Application Procedure
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should submit:
A detailed curriculum vitae.
An application letter demonstrating their suitability for the position.
Copies of relevant academic and professional certificates.
Contact details of at least three professional or pastoral referees.
Evidence of ordination, commissioning, or denominational endorsement, where applicable.
Applications including a detailed CV, copies of certificates, National ID and names of three traceable referees should be submitted not later than 13th November 2026 to the address below:
The Registrar
University of Malawi
P.O. Box 280
Zomba
Malawi
Or
E-mail: vacancies@unima.ac.mw