Homeless Service Centre Administrator

Job description

Summary 
U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. A position has opened for an administrator to join our team at the new Homeless Service Centre in Wynberg, Cape Town.  

The centre provides the first 2 intervention phases of U-turn’s full programme, overseen by the Occupational Therapist / Social worker based at the centre. The centre administrator reports directly to the Centre Manager. 
This position
The administrator will be responsible for all the administrative functions of the centre, including baseline assessments with clients, data capturing and stock control of clothing and toiletries. 

Service Centres

U-turns Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets, to prepare them for and to support them on a journey of change. This includes providing food and clothing, therapeutic and development-based interventions, and recovery support for those struggling with substance abuse. The ultimate aim of the Service Centre is to prepare individuals to participate in our work-based rehabilitation programme.

Work-readiness program

The work-readiness department forms part of the Life Change Journey and is tasked with providing work-based rehabilitation and skills development training that prepares clients for graduation into the open labour market and reintegration into the community. One day a week, each client attends a therapy and training day where they access group therapy, counselling, and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and then application follows a graded approach and continues for as long as needed. It takes an average of 18 months. Case managers coordinate the entire intervention programme for the clients and work in close collaboration with the worksite managers.

Key areas of responsibility

• Reception Duties for the centre (answer calls, answer queries, receive guests, etc.) 
• Conduct baseline assessment and print ID badges 
• Data capturing (service Logs, donation logs, volunteer hours, etc) 
• Admin Support for SC Team (upload forms, prepare physical files, update schedules, take meeting notes, etc.) 
• Office Administration (Petty Cash, office supplies, programme material and supplies)
• Stock Control (voucher stock control, manage food and voucher shop stock, request new stock, assist with donation pick-ups and deliveries) 
• Assist with service delivery 

Experience and Skills

• Proficient on Google suit and experience working with data management systems 
• Drivers license is required 
• Experience having worked with people either in active addiction or in recovery
• Strong logistical and administrative skills and experience in setting up and managing stock-control systems. 
• The ability to problem solve and find solutions often with scarce resources

Personal attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
• Attention to detail 
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Organisational Fit (where applicable) 

• If in recovery - actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability support and practicing recovery behaviour
• If employed as a Professional - affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision
• Gospel orientation - connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action

Next Steps
Candidates interested in this position should apply online at https://homeless.org.za/careers/. 

The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length and include the following:

Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered.

Company Description

U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to give homeless people the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe in life after homelessness. We believe that every homeless individual should have access to an effective pathway that addresses their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.

To help homeless people overcome homelessness, we operate a phased approach that includes rehabilitation from substance abuse, counselling, life-skills training, and work placement in one of our social enterprises. This allows candidates to test and apply the training they’ve received. In the process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills, and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can graduate and be gainfully employed in the South African economy.

The programme is yielding wonderful results. Our candidates typically graduate into open market employment and show an 80% long-term success rate! We are actively working to expand the programme to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.

Posted on 09 Sep 10:55, Closing date 31 Oct