Job Description

Summary

U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. We are looking for a Shift Leader to join Claremont Service team in Cape Town from

01 July 2025

. This is a full-time onsite position and will initially be offered as a one-year contract.

This position

The Shift Leader is responsible for overseeing U-turn's evening and night-time services at the service centre. This role includes mentoring and supporting Peer Workers, interns, and EPWP Homeless Support Workers during shifts, helping to ensure services run smoothly and that a safe and structured environment is maintained for clients and staff. The Shift Leader also assists with managing onsite incidents and liaises with external partners when needed.

Background

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

To help people overcome homelessness we operate a phased approach that includes addiction rehabilitation, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. Through this 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 be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.

Our graduates enter the open market employment and show an above 85% long term success rate! We are actively working to expand to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.

Service Centres

U-turn's Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets in order 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.

Key areas of responsibility

Assist with all night and day Peer Worker duties, providing mentorship in that space. Oversee evening and night-time services and staff assigned to the site and shift and allocate specific duties to staff. Role Mode an effective Peer approach to all the new interns. Liaise with Manager regarding Peer worker and EPWP Homeless Support Workers Manage incidents onsite as and when they arise, liaising with CIDC security and Law Enforcement as and when needed. Facilitate late admissions through partner referrals such as CIDC Conduct handover of the evening events, activities and incidents to the Centre Manager on duty in the morning. Ensure correct statistics is handed over to an administrator to capturing each morning. Report any staff concerns to Centre Manager Use and contribute to the existing planning and record keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility.

Experience and Skills Personal attributes

Experience of Homelessness and or recovery Experience of having come through the U-Turn program (advantage) Willingness to learn and grow personally Interest in worker with individuals Passion for U-turn's mission and values. Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Strong leadership with a collaborative mind-set.

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/career-form . The letter of motivation 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 knowledge skills set outlined above. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered.

IF YOU HAVE NOT HEARD FROM US WITHIN 4 WEEKS, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person