Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. IRC has been working in Ethiopia since 1999 and is implementing integrated, community-managed programs aimed at improving the quality of lives and recovery of livelihood of the disaster-affected population’s through promoting individual participation, strengthening institutions, and emergency response.

Position Overview

IRC is seeking an Education Manager for the Resilience Expansion and Active Learning in Crisis (REAL)- Lego Foundation-funded 18-months project in Ethiopia. The Education Manager will support the design of the project and will be responsible for the overall implementation. The Education Manager will manage the project team and will develop constructive working relationships with education authorities and partners.  

In partnership with the LEGO Foundation, the IRC is implementing an 18-month project (beginning in October 2021) aimed at bringing play-based learning activities to children whose education and wellbeing have been disrupted and damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. The project will target marginalized communities in the DRC, Ethiopia, and South Sudan. It will build on play-based social-emotional learning materials and approaches already developed in the region through the LEGO Foundation-supported Play Well and PlayMatters projects, led by the IRC in Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania. The project aims to work closely with the full range of education stakeholders, including government ministries and education offices.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Coordinate all project activities in collaboration with the Child Protection and Education Coordinator, Education Manger based in Addis Ababa, the Technical Advisors, and other IRC staff (Monitoring and Evaluation, Finance, Logistic).
• Provide technical leadership on the project approach to the project team to strengthen the technical capacity of staff to implement high quality education programs.
• Support the development of the project design.
• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as frequently as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper implementation and monitoring of project activities.
• Produce monthly reports and regular updates on the progress and challenges.
• Liaise with partners to ensure quality production/adaptation of Learning through Play materials.
• Ensure timely project budget utilization.
• Develop work plans, procurement plans and spending plans on timely manner and liaise with Addis based SC for procuring of goods and services with accurate specifications and realistic cost.
• Actively participate in the project cycle meetings to reflect on the needs, success and challenges of the project and document and apply lessons learned.   

Job Requirements

• Degree from an accredited university in education, or related field;
• At least 5 years’ experience managing education projects, with at least four years of experience with work specifically in crisis or conflict-affected contexts is required,
• Prior experience with Learn through Play/Learn to Play or similar approaches;
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written
• Fluency in English is Mandatory
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website:

External Link

• Please include 3 references
• Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.
• Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for
• Date of application
• Summary of your qualifications and experience
• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job
• Permanent Address and present address (if different form permanent) and    telephone number
• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

 Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.