Project Coordinator, Childcare Economy

Job Posting Organization:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a prominent humanitarian organization that responds to some of the world's most severe crises. Established in 1933 at the behest of Albert Einstein, the IRC has grown to become one of the largest international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), operating in over 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities. The organization is dedicated to helping individuals affected by conflict and disaster to survive, regain control of their lives, and rebuild their communities. The IRC focuses on restoring health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and empowerment for those in need. With a strong commitment to gender equality and social inclusion, the IRC aims to address the disparities faced by women and girls and ensure that vulnerable groups are included in policies and actions that affect their lives. The IRC has been active in Uganda since 1998 and in Ethiopia since 1999, providing support to refugees, host communities, and various local institutions. The organization implements programs across multiple sectors, including health, protection, economic recovery, and education, with a focus on systems strengthening and accountability to affected populations. The IRC's PlayMatters initiative promotes learning through play for children in East Africa, further emphasizing its commitment to early childhood development and education.

Job Overview:
The Project Coordinator for the Childcare Economy will oversee the implementation of Outcome 4 of the PlayMatters initiative, which is funded by the LEGO Foundation and co-funded by the UBS Optimus Foundation. This new component aims to provide comprehensive support to the childcare economy in Ethiopia and Uganda, focusing on connecting childcare providers with necessary resources, technical support, and policy frameworks. The role involves coordinating the inception phase of the project, which will run until December 2026, with implementation activities set to begin in January 202

• The Project Coordinator will work closely with IRC country teams, technical coordinators, and partners to ensure that all deliverables are met on time and within budget. The position requires a high volume of travel across both countries to facilitate direct coaching and monitoring visits to childcare providers, ensuring that the project aligns with the broader goals of the PlayMatters initiative and adheres to the Nurturing Care Framework. The Project Coordinator will play a crucial role in establishing operational routines, tools, and systems for the project, while also addressing the unique challenges faced by childcare providers in conflict-affected regions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for a variety of tasks, including coordinating the delivery of the Outcome 4 inception phase workplan across Ethiopia and Uganda, ensuring that milestones are met on time and within budget. They will work with partners to finalize geographic selection criteria and support the delivery of landscape assessments and childcare provider mapping. The Coordinator will facilitate the recruitment and onboarding of staff, establish operating routines, and provide leadership for project planning and scheduling. They will manage the project budget, track expenditures, and ensure that project communications are timely and accurate. Additionally, the Coordinator will act as the primary point of contact for technical partners, operationalize the systems integrator function, and support engagement with relevant authorities on childcare policy. They will provide coaching and monitoring support to childcare providers, oversee the operationalization of Outcome 4 indicators, and coordinate documentation of evidence and learning. The Coordinator will also be responsible for donor relations, ensuring that feedback and requests from funding partners are addressed promptly and accurately.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Project Coordinator position must possess a Bachelor's degree in education, early childhood development, international development, economics, business administration, or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred. They should have at least 5 years of professional experience in project management, particularly with large-scale, cross-functional projects across multiple locations. Experience in education and early childhood development programming is essential, ideally with a background in the Nurturing Care Framework or similar ECD frameworks. Familiarity with the childcare economy, including business models and market dynamics, is required, along with an understanding of relevant financing instruments. Candidates should have experience managing project budgets and supporting partners, as well as a willingness to travel frequently between Ethiopia and Uganda. Fluency in English is mandatory, with additional knowledge of Amharic or relevant Ugandan languages considered an advantage.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as education, early childhood development, international development, economics, or business administration. A Master's degree in a related area is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in project management, particularly in large-scale, cross-functional projects that span multiple countries. Experience in managing and supporting partners, particularly in consortium or multi-partner arrangements, is strongly preferred. Familiarity with the complexities of humanitarian crises and post-conflict situations, especially in Ethiopia and Uganda, will be beneficial for this role.

Languages:
Fluency in English, both written and spoken, is essential for this position. Candidates with demonstrated strong writing and presentation skills will be favored. Knowledge of Amharic and/or a relevant Ugandan language is considered a valuable asset, enhancing communication with local stakeholders and partners.

Additional Notes:
The Project Coordinator position is expected to involve significant travel between Ethiopia and Uganda, with travel making up a substantial portion of the role, particularly during the inception phase and the first year of implementation. The IRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package in line with applicable salary scales. The organization is committed to gender equality and encourages qualified female professionals to apply. The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, considering all applicants based on 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 law. The successful candidate will be required to adhere to IRC's core values and principles, including integrity, service, equality, and accountability.