Job Description

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.

Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis 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 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 an Education Officer for the implementation of PlayMatters 3.0 (PM3.0), a multi-year initiative funded by the LEGO Foundation. PM3.0 in South Sudan adopts a system-strengthening, learning through Play (LtP) approach to improve access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning for children in crisis-affected and recovery contexts. The programme focuses on strengthening education system’s capacity for uptake and institutionalization of LtP, while expanding access to joyful, inclusive learning opportunities for children in both humanitarian and development settings. Implementation is delivered through a consortium led by IRC, in partnership with War Child Alliance and Plan International, working closely with national and sub-national education actors. More information on PlayMatters can be found here: https://www.playmatters.org

The Education Officer – PlayMatters 3.0 (PM3.0) will support the effective day-to-day implementation of programme activities at field level, ensuring the quality and timely delivery of project interventions in line with workplans, budgets, and project priorities. The role will assist in rolling out the Learning through Play (LtP) Core Package, including teacher training, continuous professional development (CPD), classroom support, and community engagement, working closely with teachers, school leaders, PTAs/SMCs, and local education authorities to strengthen practical application of LtP in schools. The Education Officer will provide first-line technical and operational support to national partners and field teams, support routine monitoring, data collection, and reporting, and ensure regular follow-up to maintain implementation quality and accountability. S/he will actively engage with sub-national stakeholders and represent PlayMatters in grassroot coordination forums to ensure alignment with government systems and sector priorities. Working within a systems-strengthening approach, the role will contribute to reinforcing existing teacher development structures and coordination mechanisms, while supporting adaptive programming through feedback, learning, and collaboration with IRC technical, RMEAL, and operations teams.

Job Responsibilities

Field Implementation and Support

• Support the day-to-day implementation of PlayMatters 3.0 activities at school and community levels, ensuring alignment with workplans, timelines, and quality standards.
• Coordinate and schedule activities in collaboration with County/Payam education authorities, schools, and community structures.
• Assist in organising and delivering teacher training, mentorship sessions, CPD activities, and community engagement initiatives, ensuring adherence to Learning through Play (LtP) approaches and guidance.
• Track implementation progress against plans, identify delays or challenges, and provide timely updates to supervisors.
• Support timely distribution of Teaching and Learning Materials (TLMs) and other project inputs, maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Conduct After-Action Reviews (AARs) following key activities, documenting lessons learned and sharing reports with line managers.

Teacher Professional Development (TPD) Support

• Work closely with CPD structures, Teacher Training Institutes (TTIs), and local education authorities to support ongoing teacher professional development.
• Provide on-site coaching, demonstrations, and follow-up support to teachers, school leaders, and school management committees.
• Facilitate and monitor the application of Learning through Play (LtP) approaches in classroom practice and school routines.
• Track teacher participation, engagement, and uptake of skills, and support continuous improvement through Teacher Learning Cycles (TLCs).
• Promote integration of LtP into lesson delivery, school routines, and community engagement activities

Monitoring, Accountability, Reporting and Learning

• Conduct regular field monitoring visits to assess implementation quality, progress, and adherence to standards.
• Collect, verify, and submit accurate and timely data in line with RMEAL systems and tools.
• Gather and document feedback from teachers, learners, and communities to inform adaptive programming.
• Document challenges, lessons learned, and good practices to support learning and evidence generation.
• Contribute to activity reports, donor reporting inputs, and learning documentation.
• Participate in assessment, development, and maintenance of implementing partnership relations in existing and/or potential project locations.

Coordination and Stakeholder Engagement

• Maintain regular coordination with local education authorities, schools, TTIs, and implementing partners.
• Participate in County/Payam-level coordination meetings and relevant forums, representing PlayMatters as required.
• Support alignment of project activities with existing education systems, structures, and sector priorities.
• Strengthening collaboration between schools, communities, government actors, and national partners.
• Facilitate collaboration, joint troubleshooting, and consensus to ensure integration and harmonization of other sectors, departments during implementation.

Support Communications, Collaboration and Partnerships

• Support preparation and submission of activity plans, procurement requests, budget inputs, and implementation schedules.
• Generate and follow up on payment requests and logistical needs to ensure timely implementation.
• Ensure compliance with IRC policies, donor requirements, and safeguarding standards, including proper documentation and reporting.
• Maintain organised and up-to-date project files and records.

Requirements

• Degree from an accredited university in Education, Teacher Education, Social Science, or other relevant field of study
• A minimum of 2-3 years’ relevant experience in education programming preferably in humanitarian or development contexts.
• Experience supporting teacher training, continuous professional development (CPD), or school-based education activities.
• Basic understanding of education systems in South Sudan, including roles of County/Payam education structures and coordination mechanisms.
• Demonstrated ability to work with communities, teachers, and local stakeholders in diverse and resource-constrained settings.
• Strong communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage effectively with different audiences.
• Experience in data collection, reporting, and use of monitoring tools is an added advantage.
• Good organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and basic data management tools.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to field locations.
• Fluency in English and location local language is required.

Reports to: IRC South Sudan Field Education Manager.

Working EnvironmentThe Education Officer will work in the IRC South Sudan field office and be provided regular administrative and logistics support to perform his/her responsibilities. IRC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The IRC Core Values and Commitments:

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. 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, and Anti-Retaliation the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Safeguarding and PSEA policy The IRC has a zero-tolerance policy for safeguarding/PSEA violations by staff, incentive workers, visitors, sub-grantees, suppliers/sub-contractors, and implementing partners. Safeguarding/PSEA at the IRC is an integral to organizational values and ethics, and staff and associates are expected to take all reasonable steps to prevent the sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment of any person linked to the program by both its employees and any downstream partner. The successful candidate will be subject to a thorough background check and satisfactory references.

Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC. Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies. 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.

Narrowing the Gender Gap The International Rescue Committee 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 a flexible hour (when possible), maternity leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols.

Equal Opportunity Employer IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants because of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

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.

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