Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions 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.

‘PlayMatters’ is a consortium project, led by the IRC and includes Plan International, War Child Holland, Behavioral Insights Team, and Innovations for Poverty Action in partnership with the LEGO Foundation.

The PlayMatters project seeks to improve holistic learning and wellbeing outcomes for 200,000 refugee and host community learners aged 3-12 in Ethiopia. PlayMatters promotes an active teaching method that capitalizes on a child’s natural desire to engage in learning through play (LtP), focusing on building skills so that teachers and communities to intentionally plan to deliver contextually and age-appropriate guided play experiences to achieve specific learning objectives.

PlayMatters focuses on building skills for preprimary and primary teachers by delivering quality teachers training on LtP methods and practices, capacitating school principals and head teachers to lead school based continues professional development activities through coaching and mentoring, including peer learning mechanisms. Furthermore, the project works closely with school management to create a positive learning environment by engaging community members to create a linkage between school and community through relevant awareness- raising mobilization initiatives. In addition, PlayMatters seeks to create a safe and inclusive learning environment that enhances children’s creativity and wellbeing. PlayMatters generates scientific evidence that can transform our understanding of play and learning for refugees and host community children in Ethiopia.

Job Overview:

The Training and Implementation Manager will be responsible for developing/ revising training content and quality delivery for teachers’ trainings, ToTs, teachers, TCPD leaders, PTSA and parents on LtP in consideration of crosscutting concepts including Gender, inclusion, and wellbeing.  The incumbent will also lead the school community activities to support the LtP activities concurrent to contextually relevant awareness raising mobilization initiatives and capacity building for SMC/CMC/PTAs to build a positive school environment by engaging school communities in LtP.  In doing so, the Training and Implementation Manager will ensure the type of engagement in design and implementation necessary to achieve joint priorities and objectives of providing play-based learning opportunities for target  children.

The training and implementation manager will report to the Senior Training and Implementation Manager and will closely work with the senior project Manager and  interface with PM country and field teams..

Major Responsibilities:

·         Support the Sr. Training and implementation manager in the co-design/Co-development/co-revision of LtP training materials for ToTs, teachers, TCPD  leaders, PTSA and community leaders, PlayAmbassadors and guidelines for community events including back to school campaigns, PlayEvents and celebrations that are aligned with the PlayMatters objectives and Core Packages. This may include creating training materials, identifying training methodologies, and selecting appropriate delivery methods.

·         Ensuring all necessary training materials are ready, translated and validated by relevant system actors and approved/signed off by Regional team before training delivery.

·         Delivering face-to-face training for different target groups and different target locations, ensuring that the trainings are relevant, engaging, and effective.

·         Managing training resources such as training facilities, equipment, and materials ensuring that relevant resources are available when needed and are effectively utilized.

·         Collaborate with MEL to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs by conducting pre- and post-training assessments, After-Action-Review, analyzing performance data, and seeking feedback from participants and stakeholders.

·         Support and follow up with implementation teams to ensure the uptake of LtP methodologies  at classroom, school, and school community at large..

·         Regularly train field-level project staff on LtP in the community and conduct a regular training needs assessment for field-level project teams.

·         Conduct regular supportive supervision to project locations to ensure project activities are being delivered timely and with the required quality.

·         Hold regular and frequent meetings with the field-level project team virtually or in-person to monitor progress and identify strengths and challenges in the implementation of partnership and community engagement components of the project.

Job Requirements

Educational Requirements:

• MA/BA degree from an accredited university in education, curriculum development, or related field.

Preferred experience & skills:

• 4 years  experience progressive experience in providing training to different groups in the education sector, project management and implementation  

• Proven track record of and knowledge of engaging with government stakeholders , systems, and structure.

• Demonstrated success in developing educational/training content and ability to conduct presentations and facilitate workshops.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Strong (creative/interactive) training skills.

• Strong supervision, coaching and communication skills.

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

• Strong planning ,analytic problem-solving skills

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

• Experience in teaching in ECD and/or Primary School is a plus

Language Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic.

Reporting

Reports to – Sr. Training and Implementation Manager

Works Closely with- Sr. Project manager, Field office managers and education officers.

Working Environment:

• Travel: Expected travel 60% of time

• Office: This position will be based in the Addis Ababa office.

How to Apply

Candidates who meet the above qualifications; please send your CV and application letter only through THIS LINK

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

• Please include at least 3 references from current and former supervisors.

                       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  or any other characteristic protected by applicable law

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