The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently 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. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Play Matters’ is a consortium project, led by the IRC and includes Plan International, War Child Allians, Behavioral Insights Team, and Innovations for Poverty Action in partnership with the LEGO Foundation.  The Play Matters project seeks to improve holistic learning and wellbeing outcomes for 200,000 refugee and host community learners aged 3-12 in Ethiopia. Play Matters 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. 

Play Matters focuses on building skills for pre-primary and primary teachers by delivering quality teacher training on LtP methods and practices, capacitating school principals and head teachers to lead school-based continuous 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 the school and the 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 well-being. 

The Training and Implementation Manager will be responsible for developing/ revising training content and quality delivery for teachers’ training, 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, Play Ambassadors and guidelines for community events including back-to-school campaigns, Play Events and celebrations that are aligned with the Play Matters 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 the 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 regular training needs assessments 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: 

• Four years of relevant experience for the first degree and/or three years of relevant experience for a post-graduate degree

• 3/4 years of progressive Managerial 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 the ability to conduct presentations and facilitate workshops. 

• Strong creative/interactive training skills. 

• Strong supervision, coaching, and communication skills. 

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

• Advanced planning and 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 as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications. 

Working Environment: 

• Travel: Expected travel 60% of the time 

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

How to Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through THIS LINK

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. 

Disclaimer: - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process. 

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. 

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. 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.