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 Monitoring, Evaluation, Research&Learning (MERL) Officer. This is a full-time position based at our Head Office in Kenilworth, reporting to our Chief Business Development Officer. The role involves supporting MERL activities at U-turn, in particular for restricted funded projects. Initially, this position will be a 2 year fixed-term contract with a view of permanency thereafter, subject to available funding for this position. Key areas of responsibility Data collection&cleaning: Develop, review and improve data collection tools and templates, especially for new areas of operation and new projects and work with programme staff to ensure data collection capture, cleaning and verification takes place to ensure quality and integrity of data. Training and support: Provide induction and ongoing training and support on current and new data collection processes on the U-turn Salesforce Instance, including developing required training documentation and support on frequently asked questions. Data management&analysis: Utilise Salesforce reports and dashboards to facilitate speedy analysis and efficiently meet data requests and conduct analysis of programme and project data to track performance and highlight areas for improvement. Data monitoring and reporting: Monitor project and programme implementation in line with required plans and provide data for funding proposals, and complete M&E&narrative elements of reports for donors, the U-turn Board, Executive Management Team and programmatic teams as required. Research: Support and grow primary and secondary research activities at U-turn, including implementations research on U-turn programmes, cutting-edge research into homelessness that will improve the citywide and nationwide response to homelessness, and hosting external researchers from academic institutions partnering with 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 Either a formal qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation, or a minimum of two years of experience in M&E or quantitative and qualitative research in a non-profit context Excellent written communication skills in English, including the ability to tailor writing for different audiences 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 Good verbal communication and visualisation skills, and the willingness to get involved in preparing and delivering presentations High level of numeracy and the ability to work with complex logistical processes Ability to work unsupervised and under direction, as part of a team or as an individual to meet deadlines. Desirable Experience using Salesforce Experience in presenting and publishing (in print or online) analytical materials to a range of expert and non-expert audiences Ability to train colleagues and partners in the purpose and use of MEL tools and systems. Personal attributes Highly organised Can-do/flexible approach Problem solving and innovation Eye for detail Proactive, conscientious and accountable Confident in understanding and manipulating data 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. 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 must submit a letter of motivation and CV to recruitment@homeless.org.za. 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 2 WEEKS, CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL. Job Type: Full-time Application Question(s): Do you have the relevant qualification? Do you have monitoring and evaluation experience? What is your salary expectation? Have you uploaded a motivation letter? #J-18808-Ljbffr