Background of IRC:

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 that 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 an 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.

Job Overview:

IRC is seeking an Education Officer for a five–year Project, “Play Matters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. The Education officer will be a part of the larger Play Matters 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 Education officer will be responsible for ensuring that the Play Matters consortium and IRC staff identify, engage, and influence key education stakeholders in Ethiopia responsible for and engaged in promoting learning outcomes for refugee and local children ages 3 to 12. This includes collaboration with the government, UN and other humanitarian coordination decision makers, education implementing partners, and large-scale development initiatives to improve learning through play.

The Education officer will be Managed by the Play Matters Education Manager at the field office level, with additional technical oversight from the country-level Play Matters project team; Work closely with the camp-based education officers from RRS, SCI, WEO specialists/Experts, and other implementing partners to integrate Learning through Play (LtP) into existing preschool, primary school, Accelerated Learning Programs (ALP) and child friendly space activities targeting children in refugee and Surrounding host community.

Major responsibilities:

• Assessment of TLM needs and capacity gaps: assist in mapping existing teaching and learning materials being used in the refugee and host community schools/ learning institutions and identify playful activities at the community level against a framework to identify areas of integration, adaptation, and development of contents relevant to the context. Conduct training/capacity building needs assessment to support teachers in implementing LtP strategies and practices. Assist in the development/adaptation of assessment tools and producing detailed assessment reports. 

• Training delivery: Support the delivery of training to preschool and primary school teachers, target parents and community leaders in collaboration with teacher education colleges and education staff, other education partners, and key government counterparts using a cascade model.

• Content development and creation: 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. Engage with field-level coordination leads, implementing partners, teachers, parents, community leaders, and children through structured co-creation processes.

• Learning through Play implementation: Support and oversee the implementation of LtP activities in refugee and host community schools and facilitate the exchange of learning, reflections, and experience-sharing sessions. 

• Technical support and coaching: Provide technical support through regular mentoring and coaching of ECCD facilitators and primary school teachers, parents, and communities on the use of LtP through closely working with education officers and assistants, cluster supervisors school directors and community key leaders. 

• Documentation and reporting: Supervise project implementation, track progress and achievements and produce quality reports accurately and on a timely basis. Work closely with the RMEAL Officer to put in place mechanisms and processes for regular review of project data and learning.

• Collaboration: Work with the education manager to 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. 

• Execute and carry out additional assignments as per the request of supervisors and managers. 

Safeguarding Responsibilities: - 

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Job Requirements

Education: 

• A minimum of 2 years for degree holders and 1 year for Postgraduates from an accredited university in Education Management and Planning, Curriculum Development, Sociology, Social works, or Social Sciences related fields. 

Preferred experience and skills. 

• Minimum of 2 years of Experience implementing education programs, teacher training, and Parental education.

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

• Demonstrated Success in developing educational/training content and delivery.

• Strong interpersonal skills, both oral and written.

Language: Proficiency in English is mandatory. Knowledge of the local language is advantageous 

How To Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply using 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. 

 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.

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