Job Description

The position

The House Manager (house parent) will oversee the day to day running of a house in Observatory, Cape Town providing affordable accommodation for up to 14 men enrolled on our Work Readiness Program. This position is ideal for an individual or couple (preferred) who are committed Christians, have experience of discipling people, and a heart for helping the poorest and most marginalized of our City. The role comes with accommodation and the successful candidate / couple is expected to live at the property.

Service Centres

U-turn's 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 (and in some cases access to a shower and a bed for the night), therapeutic and development-based interventions, and recovery support for those struggling with addiction. The ultimate aim of the Service Centre is to prepare individuals to participate in our work-based rehabilitation programme.

Work-readiness programme

The work-readiness programme provides work-based rehabilitation and skills development training to prepare clients for integration into employment and the community. One day per week, each client attends a training day where they access group therapy delivered by an interdisciplinary team, individual counselling and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and application continues for as long as needed (average 18 months). Case managers coordinate the intervention programme for the clients and work in close collaboration with the worksite managers.

Transitional Accommodation

We run transitional accommodation enabling clients on Work-readiness to move into group homes when leaving homeless shelters. These homes are managed by a house-manager who, along with therapeutic staff and worksite managers, assists clients along the full Life Change journey.

Social Enterprises

Actual work experience largely takes place within our social enterprises. U-turn's social enterprises comprise an extensive retail network connected to our Charity Stores as well as other companies owned by, or in partnership with, U-turn.

Background

U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exist 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, furnish modern job skills and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can graduate and be gainfully employed in the modern 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.

Key areas of responsibility

Screen applicants and include current house residents in processing and accepting applicants into the house when space is available. Manage the day to day running of the property, ensuring it is well looked after and ensuring house rules are adhered to in a fair but consistent manner. Key point of contact for the residents including the provision of discipleship support, inducting new residents into the property, assisting with problem solving and conflict management where required. Oversee menu planning, meal prep and clearing up and ensuring there is sufficient food and consumables (e.g. cleaning products, toilet paper etc) Work closely with relevant U-turn staff including Case Managers and the Building and Logistics Manager. Develop and maintaining a good relationship with the neighbours and the community Oversee/run evening activities and coordinating volunteers who are coming in to support with activities and house operations (including screening, inducting and overseeing) Manage the House's Petty Cash Ensue relevant data is captured in Salesforce in a timely manner

Attributes, skills and experience

Experience working with homeless people (desirable) Experience in Christian discipleship (desirable) Computer literate - Word, Excel, Internet, Email

(essential)

Driver's license

(essential)

Well-developed analysis and decision making skills Good, efficient communication and active listening skills Strong leadership and facilitation skills Excellence in time management & prioritization skills and able to instruct others in such skills A resourceful individual that takes initiative and is not easily flustered A problem solver who is open to change and innovation Willingness to learn and grow personally
A heart for servant leadership with a sense of openness, honesty and willingness. ? An enthusiastic person who is devoted to South Africa and wants to use their skills and experience to make a meaningful difference

Next Steps

https://homeless.org.za/career-form

Candidates interested in this position must submit a letter of motivation and CV: should be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required attributes, skills and experience outlined above. Applications without a letter of motivation will NOT be considered.

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person