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 40 countries and 29 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.

Ahlan Simsim’s Early Childhood Development and Digital Programming

The Ahlan Simsim early childhood development (ECD) initiative was launched in 2018 as a partnership between the IRC and Sesame Workshop with inaugural funding from the MacArthur Foundation and later the LEGO Foundation. It reached more than 4 million children and caregivers with ECD services, and generated a library of high quality ECD content, and resource bank of impactful program models. Partnerships with Ministries of Education, Health and Social Development have resulted in co- designed ECD programs that are now embedded within government services.

Ahlan Simsim seeks to reach children and families where they are with effective, scalable, and

sustainable interventions to support child development, including NGO and government delivered early education for children and support and training for caregivers using engaging multimedia content. Ahlan Simsim has developed and will continue to co-design and support partner-led interventions with key public and private stakeholders working across the many sectors that serve children and families, including health, protection, and livelihoods. For more information, please visit: https://www.rescue.org/ahlansimsim.

In its next phase, the Ahlan Simsim initiative will expand and deepen its interventions to bring vital early learning and nurturing care to more children and families affected by crisis and conflict in the MENA region.

Digital programming is a strategic priority for Ahlan Simsim, with a particular focus on utilizing technology to reach and support vulnerable populations in the humanitarian sector. This role will work with the regional Technical and Digital team in improving delivery through in-person and digital means.

Role Purpose

The Content and Digital Innovation Officer role is responsible for overseeing the implementation of FamilyCornerIRC’s (a social media/digital brand created by Ahlan Simsim) digital growth strategy across its innovation portfolio (social media, AI chatbot, mobile apps) and providing management and coordination support for scaling ECD program models across Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan by working with IRC’s country teams and partners (including Sesame Workshop). This position requires strong hands-on digital content creation skills, a proactive approach to research and trend monitoring, and effective project support to ensure all digital activities are culturally relevant and aligned with strategic organizational goals for growth and partner implementation.

Key Responsibilities

Digital Portfolio Strategy Implementation and Content Management

Support in overseeing the digital innovation portfolio, including social media pages, the AI-powered chatbot, and mobile applications. This includes:

• Create, curate, and manage a balanced social media calendar using new and existing resources (including content from Vroom and Ahlan Simsim). This includes writing the posts captions. This is done in collaboration with the product management officer.
• Adapt content from Ahlan Simsim per the social media calendar and create simple designs on Canva. This includes experimenting with new ideas for content.
• Manage production vendors and designers who design and produce the social media ensuring brand consistency. This includes reviewing the content they send and approve it.
• Manage paid social media ad campaigns (Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube), ensuring effective targeting and optimization. This includes documenting projected and actual expenses related to social media.
• Monitor and moderate social media comments, ensuring timely and appropriate engagement. This is done in collaboration with the product management officer.
• Update monthly digital indicators dashboard and following on analytics and metrics provided by Meta.
• Support in creating and managing the content for the AI-powered chatbot and its integration into platforms like Facebook and Instagram Messenger. This is done in collaboration with the digital product manager.
• Develop and execute marketing strategies to launch and increase the reach and impact of digital products (e.g., mobile apps).
• Support in user-testing all products including designing the testing and experimentation tools, data collection approaches, and analyzing the data. This is done in collaboration with the digital product manager.
• Support in monitoring current social media trends and conduct research, focusing on platforms and tools used by vulnerable populations, to inform and enhance visibility and community engagement. This is done in collaboration with the digital product manager.

ECD Program Scaling

Support in managing and coordinating with ECD country teams and partners (including Sesame Workshop) on the scaling of Ahlan Simsim program models. This includes:

• Research new trends and best practices related to ECD and education to inform evidence-based decision making on content adaptation, packaging and dissemination.
• Work in collaboration with IRC’s Technical Advisor for ECD supporting the MENA region to establish detailed technical support plans for country-level implementation, outlining defined roles and responsibilities.
• Support in curating and adapting of existing IRC-led content for all ECD program models (child-facing, caregiver-facing, and service provider training).
• Support country teams in ensuring content and program models are aligned with local or national standards for ECD and pre-primary education.
• Coordinate with technical experts to finalizing guidance for gender equity standards and disability inclusion across ECD program models.

General Coordination and Management

• Manage the Digital and Technical team workplan in coordination with the team lead.
• Manage logistical coordination and communication with key partners and country teams to facilitate effective program scaling and content distribution.
• Support in developing donor reports, drafting proposals, following up on Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning activities.
• Produce knowledge products relating to the team’s work and learning agenda.
• Manage individual consultants, volunteers, and vendors as assigned.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Technical Lead for Content & Delivery – Ahlan Simsim
• Position may indirectly supervise: Consultants, volunteers and vendors

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: ECD staff (regional and countries’ teams), Technical Advisors (region and HQ based), IRC support staff.
• External: Sesame Workshop, donors, local partners and authorities, community representatives.

Requirements:

• Minimum of 2 years of professional experience in digital media, content creation, innovation, research, project management, AI projects. Preferably within a development program or humanitarian context.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.
• Bachelor’s degree in marketing, communications, project management, or a related field.

• Proven ability to manage social media platforms. Familiarity with analytics tools (e.g., Facebook Insights, Instagram Analytics, Google Analytics) and growth tactics such as content experimentation.
• Compelling creative writing skills.

• Record of research abilities in digital and AI related areas.
• Strong organizational skills and experience and managing communication to achieve program scaling goals.
• Evidence of creativity, innovation, independent work, and resilience.

• Collaborative mindset, with experience working cross-functionally and coordinating with diverse teams, ideally across regions.
• Passion for early childhood development and an understanding of caregiver needs in this context.
• Ability to handle challenges and come up with strategic solutions that drive results.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in user-testing and prototyping.
• Knowledge of ECD topics and experience in community-focused roles.
• Knowledge in product marketing, especially for digital platforms or educational tools.
• Knowledge with project management or social media scheduling tools (e.g., Asana, Buffer, Hootsuite).

Working Environment:

• Standard office work environment
• The position reports to Regional Technical Lead for Content and Delivery and is part of the ECD Regional team, based in Jordan.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.