Job Description

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 22 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.

The IRC has been providing education services for Congolese and Burundian girls and boys in the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp since January 2014 and extended education services to Mtendeli refugee camp in March 2016. Services cover the full education spectrum from pre-school, through primary and secondary school, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and tertiary education applications. Schools follow the country of origin national curriculum (Burundian and Congolese).

The IRC is the consortium lead for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. The PlayMatters initiative will 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, Uganda and Tanzania. 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.

Scope of work

The IRC is looking to recruit a PlayMatters Manager, responsible for implementation of the day-to-day activities of the PlayMatters project in Refugee Camps and host communities in Kigoma region. Working closely with counterparts in IRC and partner organsiations, the post holder will ensure activities are delivered in a timely manner and compliance with donor requirements. The Playmatters manager will directly supervise the Playmatters Officers building their capacity in project implementation and ensure a positive team spirit is fostered encouraging innovative and quality programming. Working closely with the Playmatters M&E Manager, the post holder will ensure timely data collection and analysis is used in periodic reporting and to inform project activities. The Playmatters Manager will represent the Playmatters in relevant stakeholder meetings such as Education Working Group Meetings on camp level and Camp Coordination Meetings.

This position will report to the Playmatters Coordinator and will be based at one of the three refugee camps.

Program Management and Implementation

• Supervise the implementation of planned activities, manage budgets (budget forecasting, BvA review, and budget follow-up) and report in accordance with IRC and donor regulations.
• Work closely with operations to ensure timely procurement of materials according to IRC policies.
• Assess project progress and identify technical quality issues and/or other implementation issues, provide solutions and implement modifications as required.
• Ensure that all interventions are in compliance with the Playmatters project documents, IRC’s program strategy, national policies, and INEE Minimum Standards.
• Contribute to IRC and donor reports as per set schedules (monthly, quarterly and annually) on grant activities, indicators and achievements
• Conduct regular meetings with project staff and community members to assess progress toward objectives, discuss issues and assist in finding solutions to challenges identified.
• Assess  capacity building needs with education department technical team (teachers, trainers, education officers and develop capacity building plans in partnership with the Playmatters Coordinator. 

Representation & Partnership

• Support the Playmatters Coordinator when necessary in representing IRC in sector coordination meetings and interagency activities and promote IRC’s leadership in education programs.
• Support implementation of interagency assessments.

Program Management and Business Development

• Support compilation of learning from project implementation to inform the design of future programs.
• Support Playmatters budget development and activity plans for coming years.
• Support development of communication materials highlighting the achievement of IRC and the impact it brings to the people served by IRC projects.

HR Management

• Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and leading documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage.
• Ensure adherence by staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures and the IRC way.
• Report any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, The IRC Way, and Child Safeguarding Policy (TZ specific and global), as per the IRC Tanzania reporting mechanism.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by your supervisor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree or higher qualification (Master’s Degree preferred) in education.
• Minimum of three years of relevant, progressively responsible, professional experience in managing the implementation of education programs in developing countries.
• Minimum 2 years successful staff management, and coaching experience
• Remote management experience strongly preferred.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• A commitment to IRC’s mission and humanitarian principles.
• Receptive to building and maintaining positive relationships with people from all backgrounds, genders, cultures and viewpoints.
• Knowledge Inter-Agency Network for Education in Emergencies (INEE).
• Experience in managing large education projects.
• Experience working with children, and especially vulnerable children required.
• Prior experience working with refugees, preferably in a camp setting and rural communities is desirable.
• Ability to work independently with a high degree of initiative required.
• Highly collaborative and consultative approach.
• Excellent IT skills: knowledge of MS Word; Excel and Outlook required.
• Excellent command in English written and oral skills and Swahili is required. Kirundi\French are a plus.

Professional Standards

IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.