Project Director - PlayMatters

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.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking a Project Director for PlayMatters 3.0, a private foundation-funded five-year project in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda to increase quality educational opportunities for refugee and host community children. The Project Director will be the leader of this groundbreaking follow-on initiative, responsible for ensuring the project continues to deliver high impact programming for children in its third phase.  The Project Director will coordinate across multiple partner organizations and IRC staff and be the primary representative of the project to all key stakeholders, government officials, and donors at coordination fora and other related meetings. The Project Director will ensure that the project achieves the expected results and is implemented in accordance with the donor agreement, donor regulations, and internationally recognized quality of assistance standards. 

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide strategic and technical leadership and direction, overseeing the implementation of activities to achieve the greatest impact toward project goals and objectives;

• Develop, review, and monitor in coordination with key project staff, annual work and performance plans to ensure long-term and short-term priorities are on track;

• Oversee project delivery to ensure activities are in line with the performance framework and meet all standard operational policies and procedures;

• Oversee management of partners/subgrantees and provide financial and operations support that optimizes resources through sound budgets, consistent financial tracking, and timely submission of reports to the donor;

• Report to donor through both formal and informal debriefings, annual and semi-annual reports;

• Maintain active and cooperative relationships with all key stakeholders, including government officials, project partners, other implementing agencies, and related institutions;

• Represent the project and the organization in public and ensure distribution of information about project achievements and lesson learned;

• Support project staff by creating and maintaining a work environment that promotes teamwork, trust, mutual respect, and empowers staff to take responsibility.

Requirements:

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in  international development humanitarian assistance or related field;

• Minimum of 10 years of experience managing  programs for refugees or crisis-affected populations in challenging contexts; 

• Experience managing large-scale, multi-million dollar, complex, multi-country, multi-partner projects;

• Experience working in East Africa and/or Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda on education programming;

• Demonstrated success in staff capacity-building and in participatory, flexible, and gender-sensitive programming and implementation; 

• Excellent  communication skills, both oral and written;

• Fluency in English required.

Reports to:  Regional Vice President, CRRD / Senior Director Education

Working Environment:  This role is based in Kampala, Uganda, with regular travel to Ethiopia and South Sudan. 

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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