Background/IRC Summary:  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 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 28 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking a Deputy Project Coordinator, Policy and Advocacy in Ethiopia for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be part of the larger PlayMatters initiative to increase play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda. This project aims to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action. The Deputy Project Coordinator, Policy and Advocacy will be responsible for policy review and analysis on a range of education policy areas including curriculum and teacher training related to Learning through Play (LtP) for preprimary and primary school children in Ethiopia. In particular, this role will support our advocacy, policy and campaigning efforts around the integration of LtP implementation strategy with active engagement of the MOE, UN, ARRA and other key education stakeholders. The ideal candidate will possess excellent knowledge of Ethiopian Education policy framework, strategies and priorities as well as demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the current policy reforms undertaken by the MOE. H/she must be a great team player and self-starter with excellent communications skills and analytical ability. The Deputy Project Coordinator, Policy and Advocacy will report to the PlayMatters Project Coordinator with additional oversight and support from the Regional Senior Policy and Advocacy Advisor based in Uganda.  

Job Responsibilities:

·         Jointly work with the regional Senior Policy Advisor to conduct a stakeholder analysis and to develop a country-specific engagement and policy influence strategy that is continuously updated as contexts evolve and change;

·         Oversee advocacy outreach efforts including the development of evidence-based policy briefs, presentations, advocacy statements, talking points, training materials, and responding to relevant advocacy moments with messages and materials related to the PlayMatters project;

·         In alignment with the PlayMatters initiative, plan, develop and implement an intentional and comprehensive framework for local advocacy and policy change efforts for inclusion of LtP into education delivery systems;

·         Undertake stakeholder mapping, preparing problem analysis framework, identifying paths to influence stakeholders & key messages, creating detailed annual, monthly & weekly plans for advocacy/engagement activities;

·         Build and maintain excellent networks and working relations with partners and stakeholders so that they buy-in to and accept ownership of the PlayMatters project;

·         Organize  and coordinate advocacy/engagement activities including meetings, steering groups, campaign days, social media campaigns, media/radio broadcasts, conferences, workshops, progress reports;

·         Ensure  that advocacy activities are properly budgeted, documented and information is entered and stored effectively to facilitate effective monitoring and evaluation of project outcomes

·         Coordinate with the MEAL and Research teams to facilitate the use of evidence in policy decision-making.

·         Prepare advocacy messages and communication materials, identify appropriate forums and venues to engage with relevant and key education actors in Ethiopia

·         Advocate with MoE, ARRA and key education stakeholders on the integration of LtP into ECD and primary school curriculum

·         Research and review education and training policies and  strategies of the MOE and present key messages on play based learning to  influence relevant MOE, ARRA, and key education stakeholders

·         Review teacher training curricula and advocate with relevant institutions to include LtP methodology into CTE training  packages

·         Act as project spokesperson on advocacy issues where appropriate and take part in relevant country advocacy, as guided by key stakeholders

·    MA/BA degree from an accredited university in education international development, or related field;

·         Minimum of 5 – 6 years of advocacy/stakeholder engagement experience and demonstrable results of influencing others

·         At least 5 years of management experience; two of which as a Coordinator level

·         Proven track record of and knowledge of engaging with government policies, strategies, priorities, systems, and structure.

·         Demonstrated success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation

·         Demonstrated success in developing advocacy and/or communications strategies.

·         Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

·         Fluency in English required.

Reports to: IRC Ethiopia PlayMatters Project Coordinator.

Working Environment:  The Deputy Project Coordinator, Policy and Advocacy will work in the IRC Ethiopia office and be provided regular administrative and logistics support to perform his/her responsibilities.

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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, and Anti-Retaliation.

IRC et les employés de IRC doivent adhérer aux valeurs et principes contenus dans le IRC WAY (normes de conduite professionnelle). Ce sont l’Intégrité, le Service, et la Responsabilité. En conformité avec ces valeurs, IRC opère et fait respecter les politiques sur la protection des bénéficiaires contre l’exploitation et les abus, la protection de l’enfant, le harcèlement sur les lieux de travail, l’intégrité financière, et les représailles.