Homeless Service Centre Manager

U-Turn Homeless Ministries; Cape Town; On-site; ZAR 500 000 - 600 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading nonprofit organization in Cape Town is seeking a Homeless Service Centre manager to oversee operations at their new centre. The role involves leading a service delivery team, managing staff, and supporting homeless clients in their journey toward recovery. Qualified candidates should have management experience, understanding of addiction, and strong networking skills. This is a full-time position based on-site.

Qualifications

• Experience in management with strong networking and communication skills.
• Drivers licence is required.
• Experience working with people in active addiction or recovery.
• Strong logistical and administrative skills.
• Ability to problem-solve with scarce resources.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the team based at the centre.
• Oversee day-to-day operations to meet the outcomes of the Centre.
• Manage and develop staff and volunteers on site.
• Ensure daily services are delivered effectively.
• Participate in service delivery and client interactions.
• Build understanding of U-turn’s work among partners and the community.
• Maintain a safe therapeutic environment.

Skills

Management experience

Strong networking skills

Communication skills

Logistical skills

Administrative skills

Problem-solving ability

Understanding of addiction

Tools

Driver's licence

Job description

U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. A position has opened for a Homeless Service Centre manager to lead the operations of our new Homeless Service centre in Wynberg, Cape Town. The centre provides the first two intervention phases of U-turn's full programme overseen by the Occupational Therapist / Social worker based at the centre.

The centre manager reports directly to the operational manager in the area and falls under the clinical direction of the clinical manager in the area. This position involves leading the service delivery and intervention team to meet the outcomes of the centre as part of the full journey. The successful candidate will be based at the centre, but will also be very involved in community building, maintaining relationships and collaborating with various stakeholders.

The role will require the person to engage with homeless clients, often still in active addiction, and a thorough understanding of addiction will be beneficial.

Background

U-turn is a thriving non‑profit that exists to give homeless people the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 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 months of real work experience so that individuals can graduate and be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.

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.

Service CentresU-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, therapeutic and development‑based interventions, and providing recovery support for those struggling with substance abuse. The ultimate aim is to prepare individuals to participate in our work‑based rehabilitation programme.

Key Areas of Responsibility

• Lead and develop the team based at the centre
• Oversee & coordinate day‑to‑day operations to meet the outcomes of the Centre
• Manage and develop the staff and volunteers on site effectively
• Ensure that daily services are delivered safely, effectively and efficiently at the Service Centre
• Take part in service delivery, client discussions, disciplinary conversations with clients and maintain the framework for client’s recovery at all times
• Build and improve understanding of U-turn’s work among partners & community (e.g. Field Workers Forum, CID field workers etc.)
• Manage and maintain the logistical operations of the centre ensuring a safe and therapeutic environment is maintained

Experience and Skills

• Experience in management with strong networking and communication skills
• Drivers licence is required
• Experience having worked with people either in active addiction or in recovery
• Strong logistical and administrative skills
• Ability to problem‑solve and find solutions often with scarce resources

Personal Attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values
• Strong leadership with a collaborative mindset
• 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 practising recovery behaviour
• If employed as a Professional – affiliation with a professional board, continued personal development, and access to 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. The letter of motivation should be approximately one page in length and include information on why you would like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge and 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