Regional Research and Learning Coordinator
Job Description
Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading humanitarian and development organization that has been operational for over 90 years. The IRC's mission is to assist individuals whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by conflict and disaster, helping them to survive, recover, and regain control over their futures. The organization has a presence in more than 40 countries and has been active in Uganda since 1998, focusing on supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities, and various institutions, including government bodies, community-based organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The IRC in Uganda operates across five sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programs in health, protection and rule of law, women’s protection and empowerment, economic recovery and development, and education. The IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crises, with a focus on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons.
Job Overview:
The Regional Research and Learning Coordinator will play a pivotal role in the PlayMatters 3.0 initiative, a four-year education program aimed at enhancing the well-being and learning outcomes of children aged 3-12+, particularly those impacted by conflict and crisis in Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda. This initiative seeks to strengthen education systems to provide quality education services through active teaching and learning methods that incorporate play. The coordinator will support the regional research team in coordinating, designing, implementing, and disseminating research related to the PlayMatters initiative. This position will also involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including internal and external research partners, to ensure the effective execution of research activities and the integration of learning into program management. The role emphasizes the importance of evidence generation and utilization to inform educational practices and policies within the context of the PlayMatters initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Regional Research and Learning Coordinator will be responsible for a wide range of activities, including: coordinating and managing the operationalization of the research agenda and plan; implementing IRC-led qualitative and quantitative research studies; collaborating with Airbel's research team on study design and data management; conducting instrument adaptation and validation; programming tools for data collection; training enumerators; performing data cleaning and analysis; and building capacity for research teams across PlayMatters. Additionally, the coordinator will lead learning activities, co-designing and actualizing the PlayMatters Learning Agenda, facilitating learning activities, conducting evidence reviews, and ensuring high-quality connections with headquarters to align PlayMatters with broader organizational learning. The coordinator will also serve as a key liaison between the PlayMatters Consortium and external evaluators, ensuring effective communication and coordination of research governance structures.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a degree in Education, Psychology, International Development, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Policy Studies, or a related social sciences discipline. They should have at least three years of experience working in education within low-resource environments, with a background in education research that includes training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of experience conducting research on education in emergencies, supporting mixed-methods research studies, and implementing measurement and learning systems in complex programs. Strong writing skills in English and experience coordinating research activities across multiple institutional partners are also essential. Experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using relevant software is a plus.
Educational Background:
A degree in a relevant field such as Education, Psychology, International Development, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Policy Studies, or other related social sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of education systems, particularly in crisis-affected areas, and for effectively contributing to research and learning initiatives.
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of experience working in education, particularly in low-resource environments. Candidates should have a solid background in education research, including both quantitative and qualitative methods, and at least one year of experience in research related to education in emergencies. Experience in supporting the implementation of mixed-methods research studies and measurement and learning systems in complex programs is also necessary. Familiarity with the East African context is advantageous, as is experience in coordinating research activities across various institutional partners.
Languages:
Fluency in written and oral English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other regional languages is preferred, as it may enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders involved in the PlayMatters initiative.
Additional Notes:
This position is based in Uganda and may require travel up to 25% of the time. It is an in-person role open to internal candidates based in IRC operational countries who have the right to work in their location. Successful candidates will be hired on a local employment contract according to the local salary scale. The compensation for this role varies based on location, with a US pay rate ranging from $70,000 to $88,000 per year and a UK pay rate between £41,767 and £49,599 per year. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to professional standards that promote integrity, service, equality, and accountability.
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading humanitarian and development organization that has been operational for over 90 years. The IRC's mission is to assist individuals whose lives and livelihoods have been disrupted by conflict and disaster, helping them to survive, recover, and regain control over their futures. The organization has a presence in more than 40 countries and has been active in Uganda since 1998, focusing on supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities, and various institutions, including government bodies, community-based organizations, civil society, and the private sector. The IRC in Uganda operates across five sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programs in health, protection and rule of law, women’s protection and empowerment, economic recovery and development, and education. The IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crises, with a focus on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons.
Job Overview:
The Regional Research and Learning Coordinator will play a pivotal role in the PlayMatters 3.0 initiative, a four-year education program aimed at enhancing the well-being and learning outcomes of children aged 3-12+, particularly those impacted by conflict and crisis in Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda. This initiative seeks to strengthen education systems to provide quality education services through active teaching and learning methods that incorporate play. The coordinator will support the regional research team in coordinating, designing, implementing, and disseminating research related to the PlayMatters initiative. This position will also involve collaboration with various stakeholders, including internal and external research partners, to ensure the effective execution of research activities and the integration of learning into program management. The role emphasizes the importance of evidence generation and utilization to inform educational practices and policies within the context of the PlayMatters initiative.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Regional Research and Learning Coordinator will be responsible for a wide range of activities, including: coordinating and managing the operationalization of the research agenda and plan; implementing IRC-led qualitative and quantitative research studies; collaborating with Airbel's research team on study design and data management; conducting instrument adaptation and validation; programming tools for data collection; training enumerators; performing data cleaning and analysis; and building capacity for research teams across PlayMatters. Additionally, the coordinator will lead learning activities, co-designing and actualizing the PlayMatters Learning Agenda, facilitating learning activities, conducting evidence reviews, and ensuring high-quality connections with headquarters to align PlayMatters with broader organizational learning. The coordinator will also serve as a key liaison between the PlayMatters Consortium and external evaluators, ensuring effective communication and coordination of research governance structures.
Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a degree in Education, Psychology, International Development, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Policy Studies, or a related social sciences discipline. They should have at least three years of experience working in education within low-resource environments, with a background in education research that includes training in both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Additionally, candidates should have at least one year of experience conducting research on education in emergencies, supporting mixed-methods research studies, and implementing measurement and learning systems in complex programs. Strong writing skills in English and experience coordinating research activities across multiple institutional partners are also essential. Experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using relevant software is a plus.
Educational Background:
A degree in a relevant field such as Education, Psychology, International Development, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Policy Studies, or other related social sciences is required for this position. This educational background is crucial for understanding the complexities of education systems, particularly in crisis-affected areas, and for effectively contributing to research and learning initiatives.
Experience:
The position requires a minimum of three years of experience working in education, particularly in low-resource environments. Candidates should have a solid background in education research, including both quantitative and qualitative methods, and at least one year of experience in research related to education in emergencies. Experience in supporting the implementation of mixed-methods research studies and measurement and learning systems in complex programs is also necessary. Familiarity with the East African context is advantageous, as is experience in coordinating research activities across various institutional partners.
Languages:
Fluency in written and oral English is mandatory for this position. Knowledge of other regional languages is preferred, as it may enhance communication and engagement with local communities and stakeholders involved in the PlayMatters initiative.
Additional Notes:
This position is based in Uganda and may require travel up to 25% of the time. It is an in-person role open to internal candidates based in IRC operational countries who have the right to work in their location. Successful candidates will be hired on a local employment contract according to the local salary scale. The compensation for this role varies based on location, with a US pay rate ranging from $70,000 to $88,000 per year and a UK pay rate between £41,767 and £49,599 per year. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and adheres to professional standards that promote integrity, service, equality, and accountability.
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We are not liable for any decisions or actions taken by applicants in response to this job listing. By applying, you agree that all application processes, interviews, and potential job offers are managed exclusively by the listed employer or organization.
Beware of fraudulent job offers. Do not provide sensitive personal information or make any payments to secure a job.