Senior Social Worker and Programmes Specialist

Jobomas; Gauteng; On-site; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Jobomas in Gauteng invites applications for a Senior Social Work and Programmes Specialist. This strategic, hands-on role designs, implements and continuously improves core intervention programmes for vulnerable mothers and their children, with accountability for quality, supervision and measurable impact.

You will architect an integrated intervention model with residential and non-residential pathways, develop manuals, curricula and assessment tools, supervise social workers and interns, and

Qualifications

• Recognised Master’s degree in Social Work.
• Current registration in good standing with SACSSP.
• At least 15 years of substantial social work experience.
• Experience in senior programme design, implementation and supervision.
• Knowledge of child protection, safeguarding and ethical practice.

Responsibilities

• Design and continuously improve core intervention programmes for mothers and children.
• Provide professional supervision to Social Workers and Social Auxiliary Workers.
• Develop intake, risk assessment, intervention planning and safeguarding protocols.
• Maintain programme quality, KPIs and monthly performance reporting.
• Collaborate on Theory of Change, baseline measures and evaluation indicators.
• Develop partnerships with stakeholder organisations and funders.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Leadership

Programme design

supervision

Education

Master’s degree in Social Work

SACSSP registration

Job description

Vacancy: Senior Social Work and Programmes Specialist – Sessional - 01/01/2027

Purpose of the Role:

An emerging non-profit organisation supporting vulnerable mothers and their children seeks an exceptionally experienced, strategically minded and hands‑on senior social work professional to design, establish, direct and continuously improve its core intervention programmes. This is a pivotal appointment, accountable not only for programme development but for ongoing implementation quality, professional supervision, measurable impact and corrective action. The incumbent will report to the Senior Administrative Manager.

1. Strategic Programme Architecture

• Design an integrated, evidence-informed intervention model for mothers and children, with differentiated residential and non-residential pathways.
• Create programme manuals, curricula, session plans, needs assessments, baseline and exit measures, referral pathways and phased implementation plans.
• Embed parenting, life skills, family strengthening, resilience, psychosocial support, empowerment and sustainable independence.
• Assess feasibility, staffing and resource requirements and propose practical solutions within a developing NGO.

2. Professional Leadership and Supervision

• Directly supervise, mentor and provide professional practice oversight to the Social Workers and Social Auxiliary Workers within applicable requirements.
• Ensure appropriate delegated day‑to‑day guidance for students, interns and volunteers; share direct supervision when qualified and required.
• Establish documented supervision, case review, escalation and professional development arrangements.
• Provide technical professional oversight to the Residential Site Manager through a dotted reporting line while the Site Manager reports operationally to the Senior Admin Manager.

3. Case Management and Safeguarding

• Develop intake, risk assessment, individual intervention planning, review, referral, case closure and transition protocols.
• Lead professional consultation on complex cases and ensure lawful, timely safeguarding and statutory reporting.
• Establish multidisciplinary case review mechanisms and quality controls; maintain confidentiality, informed consent and ethical boundaries.

4. Implementation and Ongoing Accountability

• Maintain continuing responsibility for assigned programme quality, relevance, delivery standards and improvement after initial launch.
• Set measurable milestones and KPIs, monitor delivery, investigate underperformance and implement corrective action.
• Evaluate beneficiary participation, progress, completion, referral effectiveness and emerging needs without claiming guaranteed beneficiary outcomes.
• Provide structured monthly performance reports and participate in formal quarterly performance reviews against agreed KPIs and deliverables.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Collaboration

• Work with the Chief M&E Officer and sessional researcher to establish a Theory of Change, baseline measures, progress reviews, pre/post assessments and credible indicators.
• Use de‑identified programme data, client satisfaction feedback, narrative case evidence and evaluation findings to improve services.
• Contribute evidence‑based reports for management, funders and relevant oversight structures, with appropriate ethics and data safeguards.

6. Stakeholders and Organisational Development

• Develop statutory and community referral partnerships and relationships with academic institutions and specialist providers.
• Contribute technical programme content to funding proposals, professional training, operational policies and service expansion.
• Advise management on emerging risks, resources, programme gaps and priority decisions.

Personal Attributes

Strategic and analytical; professionally authoritative; exceptionally proactive; resourceful; evidence‑informed; practical and solutions‑oriented; ethically grounded; able to mentor others; able to translate ambitious ideas into measurable, sustainable interventions.

Performance and Accountability

The appointment is subject to agreed written deliverables, monthly programme reporting and formal quarterly performance reviews. Evaluation will consider programme design, implementation, supervision, safeguarding, quality improvement and evidence of contribution to beneficiary outcomes. The Specialist is accountable for professional standards and reasonable corrective action, not for guaranteeing outcomes beyond the organisation’s control.

Compulsory Minimum Requirements

• A recognised Master’s degree in Social Work - Applicants without this qualification will not be considered.
• Current registration in good standing as a Social Worker with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP).
• A minimum of at least 15 years of substantial relevant social work experience, including senior programme design, implementation, professional leadership and supervision.
• Demonstrated personal track record developing, establishing, implementing and evaluating substantive family strengthening, psychosocial, child protection or empowerment interventions.
• Proven professional supervision of Social Workers and Social Auxiliary Workers, and knowledge of scope‑of‑practice and student‑placement requirements.
• Advanced knowledge of South African child protection, safeguarding, statutory duties, ethical practice, trauma‑informed interventions and multidisciplinary casework.
• Strong analytical, programme architecture, written reporting, stakeholder engagement, leadership and independent problem‑solving capabilities.
• Current unendorsed driver’s license and own reliable transport.

Advantageous Experience

• Senior experience with the Department of Social Development or an established child/family welfare service.
• Residential and community‑based services; adverse childhood experiences; programme restructuring or start‑up.
• Theory of Change, evaluation design, outcome indicators, grant reporting and applied research partnerships.

Closing date: 06 November 2026

Appointment subject to qualification and registration verification, references, and all applicable safeguarding and statutory vetting. Only shortlisted incumbents will be contacted. The organisation reserves the right not to appoint. Equal opportunity and beneficiary safeguarding principles apply.