Background:

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery, and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Position Overview

The Education officer will be responsible for ensuring that PlayMatters consortium and IRC staff identify, engage, and influence key education partners in Ethiopia responsible for and engaged in promoting learning outcomes for refugee and local children ages 3 to 12. This includes collaboration with government, UN and other humanitarian coordination decision makers, education implementing partners, and large-scale development initiatives to improve learning through play.

Education officer will report to the PlayMatters education manager at the field office level with additional oversight from the country level PlayMatters project team; work closely with the camp-based education officers/assistants, ARRA, WEO education team and other implementing partners to integrate LtP into existing preschool, primary school and child friendly spaces activities targeting children in refugee and host community. S/he will also assist in the development/adaptation and testing of developed content and approaches for teachers, parents and children. S/he will also assist to map existing teaching and learning materials for pre- school and primary school children in Ethiopia and support to establish a framework for LtP competencies and quality LtP standards. In doing so, the incumbent will ensure the type of engagement in design and implementation necessary to achieve joint priorities and objectives of providing play-based learning opportunities for all children.

Major key Responsibilities:

• Assist in mapping of existing teaching and learning materials being used in the refugee and host community schools against a framework to identify areas of integration, adaptation, and development of content.

• Based on behavioral insights mapping and human centered design research, assist to identify prototypes of content and delivery of content for teachers, parents and children.

• Engage with field level coordination leads, implementing partners, teachers, parents and children through structured co-creation processes

• Support the development/adaptation of training content for teachers in refugee and refugee host communities through participatory and consultative process involving local teacher education colleges and other education partners.

• Support the delivery of trainings to preschool and primary school teachers in collaboration with teacher education colleges and education staff using a cascade model.

• Assist in adaptation of content and key LtP messages targeting parent/caregivers and dissemination strategy to reach wider audiences.

• Assist to establish a framework for LtP competencies and quality LtP standards.

• Support in the development of samples and templates of content for teachers, parents, and children on LtP;

• Update key messages and communications materials on play-based learning to reflect the Ethiopian context targeting refugees and host communities.

• Support and oversee the implementation of LtP activities in refugee and host community schools and facilitate exchange of learning and standard methodologies.

• Provide technical support through regular mentoring and coaching of ECCD facilitators and primary school teachers through closely working with education officers and assistants.

• Monitor project implementation, track progress and achievements and produce quality reports.

• Work closely with the M & E officer to put in place mechanisms and processes for regular review of project data and learning.

• Ensure quality budget management through BvA analysis on monthly basis.

• Assist to develop meaningful procurement, activity, spending plans and stick to them to avoid any over and underspending.

• Act as a focal person in all matters related to PlayMatters project in the field.

Job Requirements

• Applies an intermediate level of knowledge of procedures and systems to perform the requirements of the job; skills and knowledge typically acquired through a combination of job-related training, some on-the-job experience and formal education.

• Demonstrated experience implementing education programs, teacher training, parental education

• Consistent track record and knowledge of engaging with government, UN and NGOs.

• Demonstrated success in developing education training content and delivery 

Educational Requirements:

• 2 years of relevant experience with the first degree in Early childhood care education, education     management and planning, curriculum development, or related field or diploma with 5 years of experience

• 1 years of relevant experience plus post graduate degree.                                                                              

•  NGO experience is a plus.

 Preferred experience & skills:

• Strong language skills, both oral and written.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time

• Strong analytic problem-solving skills

• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure

• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels

• Ability to manage and work through change in a proactive and positive manner.

Language Skills: 

• Proficiency in English required or certification, specific skills and strengths and any other skill necessary to perform the essential functions of the requirements should establish a baseline (minimum) for educational background, previous work experience, professional knowledge job. 

• Local language is advantageous.

How to Apply

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

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

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 from permanent) and telephone number if possible, also email address

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

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.