Announcement Regarding Directorship of Scalabrini

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After 17 years with the Scalabrini Centre, Miranda Madikane will be leaving the organisation, with her last day in her current role being the 16th April 2021. Miranda has made a significant and lasting contribution to the growth of the Scalabrini Centre and under her leadership, we were able to create many opportunities for the empowerment of migrants and refugees in their journey towards integration in South Africa.

Miranda’s impact on and contribution to the Centre is far reaching and I know that everyone joins me in thanking her for her commitment, dedication and efforts and in wishing her happiness and every success as she embarks on the next stage of her career.

Recruitment processes to appoint a new Executive Director have commenced.

Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town Board of Trustees

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Scalabrini Centre is Hiring: Executive Director

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Position: Executive Director
Reports to: Board of Directors
Work Location: Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town
Work Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week

The Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town’s vision is to foster the cultural, social and economic integration of migrants, refugees and South Africans into local society. Perceiving migration as an opportunity, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town is committed to alleviating poverty and promoting development in the Western Cape while fostering integration between migrants, refugees and South Africans. In providing our assistance, we advocate respect for human rights and use a holistic approach that considers all basic needs.

Inspired by the teachings and actions of John Baptist Scalabrini, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town offers a welcoming environment that is open to all and where each individual is valued and treated with dignity.

Guided by a sense of humility we promote respect for cultural diversity.

SCCT is looking for a suitably qualified candidate within South Africa for the position of Executive Director to lead and manage SCCT, to ensure it meets its strategic objectives.

Job Purpose
The Executive Director is tasked to ensure the achievement of SCCT’s strategic objectives, through leading the organization, establishing and nurturing partnerships and leveraging funding that enables SCCT to implement innovative programmes that support Government policies and services and that promote the rights of all.

 

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic & Operational Planning

  • Cooperate with the Board to develop a Strategic Plan for SCCT and ensure implementation of the organisation’s vision, mission, values and objectives.
  • Ensure efficient and effective governance of SCCT, including the development of organisational policies and procedures that are understood by all staff and reviewed regularly.
  • Ensure that the SCCT Board of Directors have the necessary, timely information for effective governance and compliance.
  • Developing an appropriate organisational structure, defining role scopes and limits and levels of authority.

 

Administration & Financial management

  • Work with the Financial Manager to ensure sound financial management in SCCT including predictable funding flows, proper financial controls and procedures
  • Approve expenditure according to budgets, and negotiate changes to budgets with the finance sub-committee and funders when necessary
  • Ensure that the appropriate budgets and reports are prepared as per funding agreements.
  • Ensure that the office is administered efficiently and that all administrative systems, including correspondence and information systems, are functioning smoothly.
  • Ensure compliance with statutory, governance and contractual obligations

 

Management of operations

  • Ensure the development of annual operational plans and budgets for all programmes and effective implementation structures for the delivery of planned programmes.
  • Develop and maintain efficient and effective internal systems, including appropriate organisational and programme performance monitoring systems, reporting and record keeping systems.
  • Facilitate regular Management meetings for effective and efficient operational coordination.
  • Ensure the ordinary maintenance of the building in 47 Commercial Street and interact with Scalabrini Fathers for the extraordinary maintenance.

 

Human resource management

  • Lead the strategy to build and sustain a skilled, motivated team to reach the objectives of the organisation.
  • Work with the HR Manager to facilitate the effective and professional management of staff in the organisation.
  • Lead and direct the HR functions within the organisation to ensure the implementation of sound HR Practices, including Remuneration System, Recruitment, Performance Review Processes, Training and Development.
  • Ensure that volunteer portfolio is managed within legislative frameworks.
    Fundraising and Networking and Lobbying
  • Ensure the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation through effective organisational fundraising and management of donor relationships, including hosting funder visits to the Centre.
  • Co-ordinate and oversee all fundraising activities, including the development of funding proposals, negotiations with donors, reporting to donors.
  • Establish and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders and organisations working in complementary fields
  • Represent and promote SCCT at high level meetings and forums and interact with the Scalabrini International Migration Network (SIMN)

 

Required qualifications, skills and experience:

  • Applicants must be a seasoned strategic Senior Manager with the ability to lead a team in effectively managing large complex multi-stakeholder programmes.
  • Relevant tertiary qualification in the field of Human mobility.
  • At least 10 years’ experience at Executive and Operational Management level in the NGO sector
  • Must be eligible to serve as a Director in terms Section 69 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008
  • Combination of strong grant management, operations, human resource, monitoring, evaluation and report writing, financial and project management skills.
  • Knowledge of large donor processes and reporting requirements
  • Demonstrated networking and engagement skills with strategic partners across the board
  • Knowledge of the Social teaching of the Catholic Church and the Catholic network of charity and assistance (SACBC, Caritas, Vatican Section for Migrants and Refugees) advantageous
  • Advanced computer skills, specifically in MS Office as well as programme databases.
  • Read, write, and speak in English; other international languages of African migrants (i.e.French) are highly recommended
  • Driver’s license and own vehicle
  • Willing to travel both locally and internationally
    Personal Competencies
  • Attributes such as resilience, tenacity, creativity are highly desirable.
  • The ability to think strategically and analytically.
  • Good communication and inter-personal skills on all levels demonstrating sensitivity, respect, honesty and fairness in interactions.
  • Proven ability to work as a team member within multi-disciplinary teams and excellent networking and liaison skills.

 

To apply:

Please email your cover letter, including your salary requirements and your CV to priscilla@scalabrini.org.za.

The closing date for applications will be 7th April 2021

PLEASE NOTE:
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. SCCT reserves the right not to make any appointment in this position.
SCCT respects the privacy of its stakeholders and will treat all personal information provided in line with our Recruitment Policy and in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act.

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National Action on Racism and Xenophobia

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Did you know that the South African government has committed to combatting racism, xenophobia and related intolerance? This was confirmed in the government’s National Action Plan to Combat Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance (NAP-19).

Our #NapMap19 infographic series explores the NAP-19 and what it means for South Africa.

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Click on the image to navigate through the infographic. If you are on your mobile, just swipe!

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A butterfly effect: How English School’s WhatsApp classes contributed to research on mining and indigenous rights in Brazil

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Adriana, who is based in Brazil, studies transitional justice and the impact of mining companies on indigenous people in the Amazon. When she came to Cape Town to compare the findings of her research in Brazil with indigenous people from Southern Africa, she realized that her abilities in English were hindering the research. This realization led her to Scalabrini’s English School  – which opened up her world to the melting pot of South Africa.

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When Adriana arrived in Cape Town, she only knew basic greetings and how to say ‘thank you’. Like many people in South Africa, English was to be her third language. “I was born close to Venezuela, so for me, learning and speaking Spanish was easier. It is similar to Portuguese. English is different to other languages and is difficult to learn.”

English is not a common language in Brazil and is mostly spoken by the younger generations. Language has been an important part of Adriana’s research. “When Brazil was colonized, it was forbidden to speak other languages. Even the indigenous people in Brazil cannot speak their indigenous languages. There are 174 different languages in Brazil. Only the indigenous people who live inside their own tribes speak their indigenous languages…In South Africa, people speak their own languages. It’s not like this in Brazil. If these people die, we will lose those languages.”

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Adriana and her family lived in Cape Town for two years.  In the beginning this proved difficult because of the language barrier, but through her lessons with English School, Adriana improved her English abilities enough to be able to communicate easily. “[speaking English] provided me with the most important thing that I need – to speak to people and understand. I am not scared about talking to people anymore. Before English School, Adriana was very shy to try and communicate in English, but she now has the confidence to use the language

English School helped Adriana build on, not only her speaking skills, but her writing and reading too. “Because of that, I was able to contact people across Africa. I now have a group of people that I discuss all the readings of different genocides with, as well as my other findings.”

Adriana has found both similarities and differences between the indigenous populations in Southern Africa and Latin America. “Across the world, there has been a refusal to recognise the crimes against humanity {with regards to indigenous populations}.” Adriana has found similar practices in Africa and Latin America with the “illegal appropriation of labour, lands and resources from the communities.” The differences are centered around reparations. Where in Latin America, the judicial process is looking at individual reparations, the African concept – in some countries – “is about collective reparations and building the memory.”

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Adriana and her family left South Africa just before Level 5 lockdown in South Africa. They made the decision to go home because her step-son back home in Brazil fell ill. He sadly passed away from Covid-19 before his symptoms were understood.

When the pandemic hit South Africa, English School needed to adapt to be able to continue. English classes were moved online – this enabled Adriana to continue her English studies online. “It was not the same, but I loved it. English School still provided us with lessons and sent us links to watch some videos, they also helped us with our writing.” Adriana was able to complete her course with English School via WhatsApp.

Adriana now hopes to begin learning her fourth language –French – in order to continue her research of the indigenous people of the Democratic Republic of Congo.

 

 

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Our Written Comments on Dept. of Basic Education Admission Policy

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On 12 March 2021, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town submitted written comments to the Department of Basic Education in response to their draft policy – the Admission Policy for Ordinary Public Schools, as contemplated in section 12(3)(a)(i) of the South African Schools Act, 1996.

In our written comments, we welcome the inclusion of the principle of non-discrimination provided for in the policy. We also welcome the explicit inclusion in the policy that a learner must be admitted regardless of the ability to pay, as well as the other factors listed.

We urge, in our comments, that the policy be widened in certain areas to include provisions for learners  regardless of their documentation status or citizenship. We also request that the policy speak to the fact that many learners are cared for by caregivers and guardians – not only biological parents.

Read our full written comments below.

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Our Written Comments on the Draft One-Stop Border Post Policy

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On 28 February 2021, the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town submitted written comments on the draft One-Stop Border Post Policy, which was published in the Government Gazette on 31 December 2020.

Overall, these written comments relate to the provision of international protection to asylum seekers and refugees, and other persons of concern in the context of one-stop border posts; the draft Policy’s omission of plans to prevent bribery and corruption; and concerns regarding the Department of Home Affairs’ capacity constraints in the implementation of a one-stop border post.

We welcome the draft Policy’s initiatives towards regional integration and greater
mobility in the SADC region, and believe the Department of Home Affairs should build on these by pursuing other initiatives originally proposed in the White Paper on International Migration.

Our written comments also highlight that the creation of a one-stop border post, as well as the implementation of measures to ensure greater efficiency at border posts, and in respect of visa processing, must always be in line with South Africa’s obligations in terms of international law.

To read our full written comments, click on the button below.

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Our Written Comments on Draft Official Identity Management Policy

Read the Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town’s written comments on the South African Government’s draft Official Identity Management Policy.