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 made 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.
IRC is seeking a Senior Education Officer for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a 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 Senior 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.
The Senior Education officer will report to the Education/CYPD 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 specialists 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 preschool and primary school children in Ethiopia and support to establish a framework for LtP competencies and quality LtP standards. In doing so, the Senior Education Officer 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.
Reports to: CYPD Manager based in the field office with additional oversight from the Senior Play Content Adaptation and Training Manager.
Working Environment: The Senior Education Officer will work in the Jigjiga field office and be provided regular administrative and logistics support to perform his/her responsibilities. The position holder will be required to travel 75% of her/ his time to project sites for technical assistance, support, monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
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 implements policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform crucial job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.