Job Description

Background

Connect Solutions are a Salesforce consulting and implementation partner for non-profit organisations. We specialise in supporting non-profit organisations to leverage the power of the Salesforce platform to improve their customer relationship management (CRM) and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). Since Connect Solutions was founded in 2010, we have completed more than 150 projects for 70 different organisation within South Africa and internationally.

One of the main benefits of Connect Solutions, is that is owned and run as a Social Franchise of U-turn - with profits supporting U-turn's work to give homeless people the skills to overcome homelessness. U-turn believes 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. The programme is yielding wonderful results. Candidates typically graduate into open market employment and show a 90% long term success rate! Connect Solutions provide training internships for candidates on the U-turn programme providing them a pathway into web development and other tech jobs.

The position

Connect Solutions is looking for a

Web Development Lead and Learnership Mentor

to join our team. The role is focused on leading a team of junior developers and coding learners, providing mentorship, guiding project delivery, and ensuring the development of high-quality web solutions for nonprofit clients. You will have strong leadership skills, expertise in web development (particularly in WordPress and front-end technologies), and a passion for teaching and mentoring. Additionally, you will possess excellent communication skills, problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement in both technical and team development.

This is a part-time position with flexible hours, making it an ideal opportunity for those returning to work after a career break (e.g., to care for children) or looking for a way to use your skills part time to work with meaning and purpose.

Key areas of responsibility

Team Leadership and Development

- Mentor coding learners and junior web developers, fostering a culture of collaboration, self-improvement, and problem-solving; provide regular feedback, and support their professional growth through structured training and work-hardening opportunities.

Project Oversight and Delivery

- Lead the design and development of nonprofit websites and digital platforms, manage project timelines, delegate tasks, and provide technical guidance to ensure high-quality, functional, and user-friendly final products.

Website development

- Oversee the development of front-end solutions using HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and PHP, ensuring that WordPress websites are optimized for performance, security, and scalability, while providing expertise in integrating third-party platforms.

Technical Support and Problem-Solving

- Serve as the technical expert within the team, offering troubleshooting support, resolving issues, and ensuring minimal disruptions to client projects during development and after deployment.

Collaboration with Sales and Project Management Teams

- Work closely with the sales and project management teams to align project scope, timelines, and client expectations, providing technical input for proposals and client meetings.

Client Interaction and Technical Consulting

- Engage with clients to provide technical updates, explain development progress, and offer advice on improving their online presence using digital tools tailored to nonprofit goals.

Continuous Improvement

- Stay updated on web development trends and nonprofit sector needs, encouraging the adoption of new tools and methodologies to enhance workflows and client outcomes.

Project Reporting

- Ensure comprehensive documentation for all projects, including code, deployment processes, and technical details, and provide regular progress reports to leadership, highlighting technical challenges and learner development.

Experience and Skills

Strong Technical Skills

: Expertise in front-end development (HTML, CSS, JavaScript), WordPress, and basic back-end knowledge (PHP, MySQL). [Essential]

Salesforce Knowledge

: Familiarity with Salesforce integrations and data management in a nonprofit context. [Desirable]

Leadership & Mentorship

: Ability to lead and mentor a small team with a focus on skills development and personal growth, particularly for individuals with no prior coding experience.

Communication Skills

: Ability to communicate complex technical ideas to non-technical stakeholders and clients, and to provide clear guidance to junior developers and learners.

Personal attributes

Excellent Communication

- Clear communicator with the ability to explain complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences, including clients and team members.

Problem-Solving Mindset

- Proactive in identifying issues and offering solutions, with the patience and persistence to overcome technical challenges during development and deployment.

Empathy and Patience

- Understanding and supportive of the learning process, able to provide constructive feedback and create a nurturing space for learners to grow.

Detail-Oriented

- Meticulous attention to detail, ensuring high-quality code, thorough documentation, and precise delivery of all project requirements.

Adaptability

- Flexible and open to new technologies, methodologies, and ways of working, with the ability to adapt to the ever-changing digital landscape.

Passionate about Teaching and Development

- A genuine interest in developing talent and mentoring others, with a desire to support the growth of junior developers and learners.

Client-Focused

- Strong commitment to understanding client needs and ensuring that the technical solutions provided align with the clients' goals and expectations.

Next Steps

Candidates interested in this position must apply via the U-turn website https://homeless.org.za/careers/

Job Type: Part-time

Work Location: In person