Restricted Fund Project Manager
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, counseling, 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 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.
The position
A vacancy has arisen at U-turn for a Restricted Fund Project Manager to primarily manage U-turn’s Jobs Fund Programme. This is a full-time position based at our Head Office in Kenilworth, for the duration of the project which runs until 31st March 2026. The role involves ensuring the Jobs Fund project is implemented timeously, completing the required monitoring and reporting, and effectively managing the relationship with the donor. The position will also support with managing other restricted fund projects and providing general support to the U-turn resource mobilisation team as required.
Key areas of responsibility
setting and managing client expectations, developing a detailed project plan, defining the scope of the project, understanding project risks and assigning team members to specific tasks
- Ensure restricted funded projects are implemented timeously: Working with those implementing the project at U-turn to ensure the project activities are completed as per agree milestones and project spending is within allowed variances. Trouble shooting and providing support to overcome bottlenecks and address challenges that arise.
- Complete required reporting: Ensure that all donor reporting is completed and submitted as per donor requirements, including inputting required information directly into the Grant Management System.
- Donor management: Timeously responding to donor requests for information, sourcing information from required individuals where needed and maintaining a good relationship with the donor.
- Data collection: Support development of data collection tools and templates for new restricted funded projects, so systems to collect required project data can be set up and maintained.
- Data management & analysis: Utilise Salesforce reports and dashboards to compiling donor reports and conduct analysis of programme and project data to track performance and highlight areas for improvement.
- Resource mobilisation: Support the communications and fundraising team as required with raising funds for U-turn.
- Learning: Contribute to the development and improvement of the U-turn programme by analysing progress against project and programme plans, what is working well and areas for improvement. Share findings in innovative ways with U-turn staff and partners and externally as appropriate, including through internal and external presentations, reports, marketing materials, the website, and other forums.
Experience and skills
- A bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline with substantial written and numerical elements
- Excellent written communication skills in English, including the ability to tailor writing for different audiences
- Excellent verbal communication and visualisation skills, and the willingness to get involved in preparing and delivering presentations
- Experience of providing administrative and operational support in a similar role and a real interest in using data, research and learning to improve organisational and sectorwide performance.
- Strong organisational and time management skills, ability to assimilate information, forward plan and coordinate tasks and resources (including people) on a range of projects
- Strong IT skills, including knowledge of the Google Suite and MS Office, strong spreadsheet skills, exposure to project management applications and different video conferencing platforms and an aptitude for using and learning technology tools, software and platforms
- Ability to work unsupervised and under direction, as part of a team or as an individual and meet deadlines.
- Experience using Salesforce (desirable)
Personal attributes
- Highly organised
- Can-do/flexible approach
- Problem solving and innovation
- Eye for detail
- Proactive, conscientious and accountable
- Able to work at pace
- A client-service orientation
- A strong commitment to teamwork
- Able to build and maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders
- Able to work respectfully with people from different backgrounds
- A positive, friendly and professional attitude
- Acts as a role model for a ‘learning organisation’ culture by seeking insight and using problems as opportunities to learn in a non-judgemental environment.
Next steps
Candidates interested in this position must submit a letter of motivation and CV to [email protected]. 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, consider your application unsuccessful.
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: R25 000,00 - R30 000,00 per month
Application Question(s):
- Do you have the relevant qualification for this role?
- Do you have IT skills?
- Have you uploaded your motivational letter?
Experience:
- Restricted Fund Project Manager: 2 years (Required)