Sibongile Shabalala

As a Programme Officer, I manage a cohort of 37 university Candidate Fellows , studying in local and international universities. My responsibilities include:

• Directing comprehensive academic support , including developing tailored guidance, monitoring progress, and providing constructive feedback on performance and submissions.
• Designed and refined program components , including fellowship induction, peer mentor matching, and other development activities and materials.
• Provided essential psycho-social support , through monitoring progress, identifying issues, offering coaching, and facilitating referrals to external resources.
• Ensured program quality by reviewing and grading submissions, guiding Candidate Fellows toward excellence through focused goals, and providing constructive feedback.
• Drove program operational success , participating in the planning and execution of regional and national activities, and implementing strategies that ensured high participant engagement, retention, and adherence to programmatic requirements.
• Delivered data-driven insights by compiling annual Board reports, gathering program feedback, and making strategic recommendations to senior management regarding Candidate Fellow progress and fellowship renewals.
• Cultivated strategic relationships with subject matter experts and stakeholders from universities and other external service providers.
• Contributed significantly to the Scholarship and Fellowship selection process , assessing applications, conducting interviews, participating in selection camps, and supporting recruitment events.
• Collaborated cross-functionally on key reports (e.g., 2024 Fellowship Mid-Year, 2024 Jamboree) to provide critical insights and recommendations.

My role entailed coordination and providing support services to scholars, their parents, schools and universities, and any other related third parties.

I managed a cohort of 40 scholars across high schools and universities in three provinces. My responsibilities and tasks included:

• Providing access to resources on an academic, social, and emotional level, through completing tutoring and psychosocial wellness support referrals.
• Offered psychosocial support and guidance, where necessary.
• Organized, booked and planned travel logistics for the scholars.
• Assisted the team in planning, organizing, and attending functions or events for scholars.
• Monitored scholars' academic, social, and personal development.
• Gave recommendations to management on the best course of action for scholars' personal and academic development.
• Tracked budgets and actual spend according to established financial parameter.
• Conducted in-person scholar visits and regular virtual check-ins with scholars.
• Wrote quarterly reports to provide feedback on scholars' academic and overall performance.
• Developed meaningful relationships with all related team members and stakeholders.

• Assisting with COVID19 vaccine registration on the EVDS system.
• Administration of COVID19 testing site.
• Coordinating services for food assistance.
• HIV counselling.
• Facilitated peer support groups to help clients connect with others.
• Facilitated psychoeducational classes to help clients develop life skills.
• Assisted clients in identifying community resources and connecting with appropriate services.
• Collaborated with other professionals to plan and coordinate care for clients.

• Resolved all issues professionally and in a timely manner.
• Worked collaboratively in a team environment.
• Facilitated debriefing sessions for Social Workers and Social Auxiliary Workers from the NPO sector.
• Compiled reports of sessions conducted and evaluated outcomes of interventions.
• Conceptualized material for delivering psycho-social support services to parents and scholars.
• Facilitated training sessions focused on the development of a girl child for Social Workers and Auxiliary Workers from the NPO and Government sectors.
• Developed an outline for training, which was submitted to the SACSSP for CPD points.
• Developed a facilitator's training guideline for the Isiqalo Programme.
• Collated and analyzed a database on excel for report writing on training outcomes.

• Educated students on the basics of English grammar and conversational speaking.
• Taught ESL curriculum to improve students' conversational abilities.
• Administered and graded tests and assignments to evaluate student progress.
• Created new lesson plans based on course objectives.
• Attended trainings and collaborated with other teachers.
• Feedback to parents and school principal on the progress of each learner.

• Conducted risk assessments to ascertain if individuals faced with criminal charges were at risk of significant harm that warranted further intervention.
• Recommended suitable programmes such as individual, group or community work for clients.
• Facilitated substance abuse group sessions.
• Wrote reports daily based on the client's progress during individual and/or group sessions using MS Office.
• Facilitated victim and offender mediation.