The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 50 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, protection and rule of law (PRoL), women’s protection and empowerment (WPE), economic recovery and development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons. As part of IRC Uganda’s strategic ambitions, the IRC works closely with local actors to strengthen their capacity and with intentions of transferring more resources for locally led implementation and support to our clients. The IRC’s education response is grounded on a home, community, and ECD centre-based approach that centers on strengthening community structures and processes to reach the most vulnerable children from refugee settlements, host and other vulnerable communities to ensure access to learning and nurturing opportunities. The IRC also works closely with and through communities and caregivers (parents and teachers) and strengthens their capacity through training and coaching/mentoring, direct service delivery by providing scholastic materials, and promoting gender equality through equal representation and participation. Children with disabilities are given priority throughout the program.

Job Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is currently preparing for the implementation of the anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Targeting the Learning Crisis (TLC) Activity under a Consortium led by World Education (WE). IRC, as a consortium member, will implement Early Childhood Education (ECE) interventions in 8 districts of Kitgum, Kitgum Town Council, Agago, Terego, Madi Okollo, Oyam, Apac and Apac Municipal Council.

Through the USAID TLC Activity, the WE-led consortium will support the GoU to: 1) apply, streamline, and scale evidence-based pedagogical approaches for ECE, P1-2 and P3-5; 2) align the education ecosystem and catalyze sustainable change toward visible learning gains; and, 3) strengthen school and community enabling environment to facilitate Targeted Instruction (TI) success and increase cost-efficiency. The TLC team will align its key strategic approaches with existing GoU initiatives, policies and frameworks (e.g., ECCE Policy), current and past USAID investments, including the incorporation of interventions to promote USG’s Thrive strategy that aims to build strong beginnings for children, help families thrive, and prevent violence against children. As a result, USAID TLC will drive substantial and large-scale improvements in reading and math outcomes for primary students in Uganda.

Scope of Work:

The job holder will lead the implementation of the USAID TLC project according to all agreed project deliverables, working with the World Education-led Consortium, USAID, and other key stakeholders. The role will also be responsible for all project staff, including collaboration with IRC Uganda’s Education technical coordinator, other Education project leads, and Technical Unit staff based the region and headquarters. The Project Coordinator will ensure that the project achieves the expected results and is implemented in accordance with the donor agreement, donor regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards.

This position is contingent on approved donor funding. The role is based in Kampala with frequent travel to the project sites.

Specific Job Responsibilities:

• Oversee technical direction and project delivery to ensure activities are in line with the project wide results framework, budget and work plan, and meet all standard operational policies and procedures.

• Complete project planning and scheduling, from the high-level planning phase to detailed short-term activity scheduling.

• Track project progress against high-level and detailed plans, troubleshooting and flagging barriers to success with relevant staff and leadership.

• Ensure that project communications are timely, relevant and accurate, including regular status updates.

• Manage and oversee the project budget, track expenditure and maintain accurate projections.

• Support the project teams in developing, managing and implementing key project management tools, such as workplans, spending plans, procurement plans, etc.

• Serve as the main liaison with the HQ and regional technical unit focal points, ensuring that they provide technical insight and support to project activities and objectives.

• Act as the TLC Activity focal point for IRC within the consortium, actively participating in consortium activities and representing IRC externally with the donor, government and other stakeholders.

• Liaise with other Education Sector project focal points for PlayMatters, Kulea Watoto and Watoto Wasome projects to ensure that synergies and complementarities are incorporated in the TLC Activity.

• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper implementation and monitoring of project activities.

• Manage project reporting, compliance and all other deliverables/requirements from the donor and/or World Education related to the TLC project.

• Represent the project in target districts, leading effective coordination, advocacy and information sharing with key stakeholders related to the ECE component.

• Ensure regular collection and sharing of project evidence and learning within the consortium, IRC and externally.

• Lead the project team by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Requirements:

Education

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in education, Social Sciences or related discipline.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field will be an added advantage.

Experience

• At least 5 years of professional experience working on humanitarian, development or nexus programs, of which 3 years must be in mid-senior management experience.

• Experience in education programming preferred.

• Substantive experience in project management, managing large-scale, cross-functional, multi-location projects, including overseeing teams across different locations.

• Previous experience in working with government stakeholders in a system strengthening, policy and advocacy, and/or coordination capacity.

• Experience with training and capacity building of internal and external stakeholders, including local partners.

• Previous experience in engaging with and supporting community-based organizations, structures and mechanisms.

• Experience representing programs to donors, clients and other external stakeholders.

• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing and presentation skills.

Functional Knowledge, Skills and Ability:

• Ability to navigate interpersonal and inter-departmental organizational and personnel dynamics to keep focus on goals and products.

• Ability to work well under administrative and programmatic pressures.

• Flexible to adapt to changing requirements.

• High levels of attention to detail and strong organizational skills.

• Ability to make difficult decisions, as necessary, to ensure that the project is on track and focused.

• Strong commitment to the IRC’s mission, purpose and values.

• Must be able to work independently while being a team player.

• Demonstrated creativity, ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills.

• Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and representation skills.

• Excellent planning, coordination and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities.

• Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are a must.

Key Working Relationships

• Position reports to: Education Coordinator

• Position Directly supervises: TLC Senior ECE Managers

• Indirect reporting to: Deputy Director, Programs

Work environment:

SECURITY: Kampala is Security Level 2 – yellow.

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.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.