Rumbi Grgens
Operations And Systems Specialist
Cape Town,Western Cape
Summary
Dynamic, hard-working team player with a wealth of experience in nonprofit systems and project management, impact assessment and adult education facilitation. Additional experience in research and writing for various audiences, including academic and corporate audiences, funders and stakeholders in civil society and popular audiences.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Operations Manager
Embrace
Cape Town
1 2018 - Current
- Responsible for monitoring and management of Embrace project's operational and logistics systems
- Also responsible for updating and back-end population of Embrace's website
- Managed Embrace's master database and built all outgoing mass e-mail communication
- Contributed to establishment of Mamandla fellowship.
- Developed systems and procedures to improve operational quality and team efficiency.
- Led hiring, onboarding and training of new hires to fulfill project requirements.
- Facilitated smooth collaboration between team members through clear communication channels.
- Introduced new methods, practices, and systems to reduce turnaround time.
- Implemented quality control systems that boosted overall product consistency and reliability.
Freelance researcher, writer and lecturer
Rumbi Writes
Cape Town (Remote)
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Offered teaching, writing, and research services to various clients
- Developed and nurtured relationships with new partners for Adventure Clubs
- Developed and taught online undergraduate courses for Cornerstone Institute
- Researched and wrote materials for DG Murray Trust
- Facilitated strategic planning and vision development for Harlequin Foundation
- Taught and supervised academic research for visiting American undergraduate students at School for International Training
- Developed and delivered leadership training for participants of Women Pioneers Programme at University of Cape Town
- Developed and delivered training on teaching within diverse contexts for departmental teaching staff at University of Cape Town's Environmental and Geographical Sciences department
- Developed and taught co-curricular short courses at University of Cape Town's Global Citizenship Platform
- Served as academic coordinator for South African component of multi-country Health and Community program at World Learning, International Honors Program.
Deputy Manager: Academic Records
University of Cape Town (UCT)
Cape Town
06.2013 - 12.2015
- Managed operations and staff of student records service
- Responsible for editing and producing annual set of University student handbooks, managing and producing assigned graduation ceremonies, and managing and coordinating short course catalogue and record.
- Improved team efficiency by streamlining processes and implementing innovative management strategies.
- Identified areas for improvement within department, implementing strategic initiatives to address gaps in performance or resources.
- Oversaw daily operations of student-facing Student Records Office, ensuring maximum productivity and adherence to university policies.
Portfolio Manager: Connection to Opportunity
DG Murray Trust
Cape Town
01.2011 - 01.2013
- Managed distribution and investment of 20% of Trust's annual distribution budget
- Worked with initiatives that aim to facilitate successful transitions into productive livelihoods for young people.
- Presented detailed reports on portfolio performance, highlighting key drivers of growth and areas of improvement.
- Developed and presented proposals for new investments.
- Facilitated portfolio performance review and implemented new strategies
Junior researcher
Equal Education
Cape Town
1 2011 - 05.2011
- Conducted research on textbook procurement, delivery, and retention in South African school system
- Wrote training manual for EE community facilitators.
- Developed data visualization tools to clearly convey research results for public audiences.
- Conducted extensive literature reviews, summarizing key findings to inform future studies.
- Assisted in developing survey instruments for data collection, ensuring high response rates and representative samples.
Education
Master of Philosophy - Intercultural, Multicultural, And Diversity Studies
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) - Sociology
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Social Sciences - Psychology, Sociology And History
University of Cape Town
Skills
Operational Efficiency Team LeadershipData InterpretationQualitative ResearchResearch designAcademic WritingProject ManagementWorkflow OptimizationPlanning and ImplementationOperational Efficiency
Academic Awards
- Harry Oppenheimer scholarship 2008
- K. W. Johnstone research scholarship 2008
- Claude Leon Foundation Fellowship 2007
- Mandela Rhodes Foundation Scholarship 2007
- Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship 2006/7
- Humanities Faculty Scholarship 2006
Additional Courses and Training
- Rape Crisis Cape Town Trust Internal Training Course, 2009
- Mandela Rhodes Foundation leadership courses, 2007
- Mellon Mays/United Negro College Fund Summer Institute, 2006
References
- Julie Mentor, Embrace Project Lead, DG Murray Trust, julie@embrace.org.za, +27 21 670 9840 (Tel), +27 84 588 2403 (Mobile), +27 21 670 9850 (Fax)
- Dr Karen van Heerden, Former Deputy Registrar: Academic Records, University of Cape Town, Karen.vanheerden@uct.ac.za, +27 83 751 5179 (Mobile)
Timeline
Freelance researcher, writer and lecturer
Rumbi Writes
01.2016 - 01.2018
Deputy Manager: Academic Records
University of Cape Town (UCT)
06.2013 - 12.2015
Portfolio Manager: Connection to Opportunity
DG Murray Trust
01.2011 - 01.2013
Operations Manager
Embrace
1 2018 - Current
Junior researcher
Equal Education
1 2011 - 05.2011
Master of Philosophy - Intercultural, Multicultural, And Diversity Studies
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) - Sociology
University of Cape Town
Bachelor of Social Sciences - Psychology, Sociology And History
University of Cape Town