BackgroundU-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 positionA 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 responsibilityData 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 skillsA bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline with substantial written and numerical elementsEither 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 contextExcellent written communication skills in English, including the ability to tailor writing for different audiencesExperience 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 projectsStrong 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 platformsGood verbal communication and visualisation skills, and the willingness to get involved in preparing and delivering presentationsHigh level of numeracy and the ability to work with complex logistical processesAbility to work unsupervised and under direction, as part of a team or as an individual to meet deadlines.DesirableExperience using SalesforceExperience in presenting and publishing (in print or online) analytical materials to a range of expert and non-expert audiencesAbility to train colleagues and partners in the purpose and use of MEL tools and systems.Personal attributesHighly organisedCan-do/flexible approachProblem solving and innovationEye for detailProactive, conscientious and accountableConfident in understanding and manipulating dataAble to work at paceA client-service orientationA strong commitment to teamworkAble to build and maintain excellent working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholdersAble to work respectfully with people from different backgroundsA positive, friendly and professional attitudeActs 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 behaviourIf employed as a Professional – affiliation with professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervisionGospel orientation – connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social ActionNext stepsCandidates interested in this position must submit a letter of motivation and CV to recruitment@homeless.org.za. The letter of motivationshould be approximately 1 page in length and include information on why youwould like to work at U-turn and how you fulfil the required knowledge skillsset 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-timeApplication 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