Homestead Projects for Street Children
Programme Manager at the Homestead
Deadline: 19 February 2026
Region: Cape Town
Salary: Market related and commensurate with experience
Type of employment: Full time
Job Description
Location: Observatory, Cape Town
Reporting to: Executive Director
Hours of work: Monday to Friday, 08h00 to 16h30
Nature of contract: 6-month probationary period, becoming permanent following successful completion
About The Role
The Programme Manager will oversee operations at both the LaunchPad Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) and the Yizani Drop-In Centre (DIC), ensuring high‑quality programme delivery, compliance, staff management, and effective service provision for vulnerable children and youth.
Roles and Responsibilities
- LaunchPad Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC)
- Manage daily centre operations, staff supervision, shift systems, and hygiene standards.
- Oversee developmental activities including school enrolment, life skills, sport, and recreation.
- Coordinate monthly procurement and manage administrative processes.
- Utilise monitoring and evaluation systems and prepare evidence‑based reporting.
- Oversee vehicle use, maintenance, and licensing.
- Manage maintenance issues, obtain quotes, and conduct health and safety inspections.
- Supervise youth placements, therapeutic interventions, and liaise with authorities on statutory matters.
- Build and maintain stakeholder networks to support programme operations.
- Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of industry challenges and compliance requirements for alternative care facilities.
- Lead teams to deliver quality programmes aligned with organisational strategic plans.
- Yizani Drop-In Centre (DIC)
- Manage operations of the PEI programme and ensure all basic needs services meet norms and standards.
- Supervise Social Workers and staff delivering life skills, therapeutic support, family preservation, school support, group work, holiday programmes and recreational activities.
- Provide guidance during programme delivery challenges, troubleshoot issues and respond to emergencies.
- Create and maintain a safe, nurturing and trusting environment for all children.
- Oversee procurement within budget for groceries, hygiene products, school uniforms, cleaning materials and stationery.
- Ensure the drop‑in centre remains fully equipped and operational with all facilities in working order.
- Support ad‑hoc activities such as camps, holiday programmes, public liaison and community engagement.
- Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with CYCC Norms and Standards and the Children’s Act, including accountability for statutory placements.
- Ensure compliance with child protection legislation, including the Children’s Act and UN Rights of the Child at the Yizani Drop-in Center.
- Ensure all staff comply with policy and legislative requirements.
- Verify and maintain annual SACSSP registration for professional staff.
- Oversee DSD quality assurance audits, reporting and implementation of recommendations.
- Ensure that all youth care interventions align with applicable regulations and amendments.
- Team Leadership & Reporting
- Provide leadership, mentorship and guidance to teams.
- Support staff development and encourage professional growth.
- Submit accurate monthly reports to the Executive Director.
- Submit quarterly reports and registers to DSD.
- Maintain stakeholder partnerships and participate in monthly management meetings.
Qualifications And Requirements
Education & Qualifications
- Social Work Degree (Compulsory)
- SACSSP Registration for 2026
- Minimum 5 years post‑qualification experience
Work Experience
- Minimum 3 years management experience
- At least 5 years’ experience in the NPO sector (desired)
- Experience in residential care facilities (advantageous)
- Experience in therapeutic interventions, disciplinary processes, financial and operations management
Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Excellent verbal and written communication in English
- Fluency in Afrikaans or isiXhosa (advantageous)
- Patient, respectful communicator
- Strong leadership and problem‑solving abilities
- Ability to see opportunity in adversity
Excellent Organisational and Administration Skills
- Strong time‑management skills
- High attention to detail and accuracy
- Ability to manage and log data systematically
- Fast‑paced, reliable, self‑managed and punctual
Specific Requirements
- Computer literacy (MS Word, email, data entry)
- Ability to work remotely using remote desktop tools
- Driver’s Licence (Compulsory)
- Willingness to undergo:
- polygraph testing
- in‑depth reference and psychometric checks
- Child Protection Register screening
- Ability to work independently and motivate teams
- Must be able to be on‑call after hours and on weekends
How to apply
Closing date for applications: 19 February 2026
If you have not been contacted within 2 weeks of submitting your application, kindly consider your application to have been unsuccessful.