Receptionist-CBD

Summary

U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. We are looking for a Receptionist to join The Hope Exchange team in Cape Town. This is a full-time onsite position and will initially be offered as a one-year contract.

This positionThe Hope Exchange is an organization in good standing and a leader in its sector. Therefore, staff performance and service standards need to be excellent at all times. The Receptionist will take care of all front-of-house functions professionally and efficiently and to assist and perform various administration tasks. The Receptionist will report to the Office Administrator.

Background

U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to equip homeless people with the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe that every homeless individual is intrinsically valuable and should have access to an effective pathway to address their physical, spiritual and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.

To help people overcome homelessness we operate a phased approach that includes addiction rehabilitation, counselling, life-skills training and sheltered work placement in one of our social enterprises. Through this 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 be gainfully employed in the modern South African economy.

Our graduates enter the open market employment and show an above 85% long term success rate! We are actively working to expand to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.

Service Centres

U-turn’s Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets in order to prepare them for and to support them on a journey of change. This includes providing food and clothing (and in some cases access to a shower and a bed for the night), therapeutic and development based interventions, and recovery support for those struggling with addiction. The ultimate aim of the Service Centre is to prepare individuals to participate in our work-based rehabilitation programme.

Work-readiness programme

The work-readiness programme provides work-based rehabilitation and skills development training to prepare clients for integration into employment and the community. One day per week, each client attends a training day where they access group therapy delivered by an interdisciplinary team, individual counselling and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and application continues for as long as needed (average 18 months). Case-managers coordinate the intervention programme for the clients and work in close-collaboration with the worksite managers.

Transitional Accommodation

We run transitional accommodation enabling clients on Work-readiness to move into group homes when leaving homeless shelters. These homes are managed by a house-manager who, along with therapeutic staff and works-site managers assist clients along the full Life Change journey.

Social Enterprises

Actual work-experience largely takes place within our social enterprises. U-turn’s social enterprises comprise an extensive retail network connected to our Charity Stores as well as other companies owned by, or in partnership with, U-turn.

Key areas of responsibility

Reception:

• Dealing of all visitors, guests and clients professionally and courteously
• Handling the switchboard and answering of incoming calls within the industry standard of 3 rings
• To ensure the neatness and tidiness of the Reception area

Geoff Burton House:

• To facilitate the Geoff Burton House applications process in collaboration with the Social Care department and in accordance with agreed-on standards;
• To take care of all Geoff Burton House fees administration, including producing invoices/statements, receipt of fees, following-up on arrears and account reconciliation;

General & Financial Administration:

• To handle Petty Cash and to ensure the proper safekeeping of all cash received
• To capture and update records of daily receipts of all payments Geoff Burton House (GBH), The Car Wash (TCW), Second Chance Shop (SCS)
• To prepare banking deposits and cash withdrawals for wages, petty cash, etc.
• To maintain relevant physical and electronic files and keep them up to date
• To daily capture relevant data (e.g. Ablutions attendance, clinic, etc.)
• To deal with all donations-in-kind in accordance with the process and standards set
• To provide additional administrative support to the various programmes the employer engages from time to time, e.g. Feed 5000, Winter Relief, etc.
• Plan, design and implement appropriate record keeping methods that support the work of The Carpenters Shop (TCS), e.g. health and safety policy, attendance register motor vehicle driver’s log;
• To perform any other reasonable duties as instructed
• Personal Development Training Schedule prep and group prep

Experience and Skills

• Minimum 2-3 years’ reception experience
• Experience in customer service(advantageous)
• Administrative Support
• Communication
• Multitasking
• Handling sensitive information
• Time Management

Personal attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
• Strong leadership with a collaborative mind-set.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced 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 should apply online at https://homeless.org.za/career-form 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, PLEASE CONSIDER YOUR APPLICATION UNSUCCESSFUL

Job Type: Full-time

Work Location: In person