Senior Early Childhood Education (ECE) Manager

Background/IRC Summary:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading crisis response agencies, providing life-saving assistance and supporting recovery and reconstruction for people affected by war and natural disasters. The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities and various institutions in the country notably the government, community-based organizations, civil society, and the private sector.

Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, protection and rule of law (PRoL), women’s protection and empowerment (WPE), economic recovery and development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons. As part of IRC Uganda’s strategic ambitions, the IRC works closely with local actors to strengthen their capacity and with intentions of transferring more resources for locally led implementation and support to our clients.

The IRC’s education response is grounded on a home, community, and ECE centre-based approach that centers on strengthening community structures and processes to reach the most vulnerable children from refugee settlements, host and other vulnerable communities to ensure access to learning and nurturing opportunities. The IRC also works closely with and through communities and caregivers (parents and teachers) and strengthens their capacity through training and coaching/mentoring, direct service delivery by providing scholastic materials, and promoting gender equality through equal representation and participation. Children with disabilities are given priority throughout the program.

Job Overview

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is currently preparing for the implementation of the anticipated 5-year USAID-funded Targeting the Learning Crisis (TLC) Activity under a Consortium led by World Education (WE). IRC, as a consortium member, will implement Early Childhood Education (ECE) interventions in 8 districts of Kitgum, Kitgum Town Council, Agago, Terego, Madi Okollo, Oyam, Apac and Apac Municipal Council.

Through the USAID TLC Activity, the WE-led consortium will support the GoU to: 1) apply, streamline, and scale evidence-based pedagogical approaches for ECE, P1-2 and P3-5; 2) align the education ecosystem and catalyze sustainable change toward visible learning gains; and, 3) strengthen school and community enabling environment to facilitate Targeted Instruction (TI) success and increase cost-efficiency. The TLC team will align its key strategic approaches with existing GoU initiatives, policies and frameworks (e.g., ECCE Policy), current and past USAID investments, including the incorporation of interventions to promote USG’s Thrive strategy that aims to build strong beginnings for children, help families thrive, and prevent violence against children. As a result, USAID TLC will drive substantial and large-scale improvements in reading and math outcomes for primary students in Uganda.

The Senior Early Childhood Education (ECE) Manager will be based in one of IRC’s field offices (Terego, Lamwo or Kiryandongo) and will lead field level project implementation and technical support for the TLC Activity in the assigned location. The Senior ECE Manager will be responsible for coordinating day to day implementation, monitoring and reporting to ensure effective and efficient implementation of project activities according to agreed workplans, budgets and in accordance with set priorities. S/he will provide direct support supervision and line management support for the project specific staff in the location and will participate, contribute, and support engagements at district and sub-county levels with key stakeholders including the TLC Consortium, implementing partners, government, and other actors as needed. S/he will be expected to work collaboratively with the TLC Project Coordinator (Technical Lead), IRC’s Sector technical coordinators, operations team, and the finance team to support coordination, integration, harmonization, and coherence of the project with other IRC Uganda sectors and projects.

This position is contingent on approved donor funding.

Specific Job Responsibilities:

Technical Implementation of Project Activities: coordination

• Co- lead and contribute to the development of location specific project annual work plans, phased budgets, and performance plans
• Implement workplan and budget assigned to the location in accordance with the TLC Activity priorities.
• Coordinate the development of training materials in line with approved ECE curriculum (Learning Framework).
• Ensure compliance to relevant implementation SOPs, tools, protocols, and schedules.
• Oversee and ensure effective development, monitoring and reporting of work plans and budgets.
• Keep abreast of contextual changes in implementation and provide periodical situational updates relevant for project implementation.
• Participate and contribute to the Project Implementation planning meetings on a regular basis
• Support and participate in field level monitoring and provide support supervision to the project team and supported ECE Facilitators and other actors.

Coordination, representation, and partner/stakeholder relationships:

• Lead district and sub-county level coordination activities with the TLC consortium, government and other key stakeholders
• Co- lead the location specific planning, logistical arrangements, communications and execution of key project events (e.g., workshops, learning visits, high-level stakeholder engagements, donor visits, etc.),
• Contribute to the development of relevant project communications materials, updates, and presentations for donors, senior leadership, or other external bodies
• Support the development of program updates/communications for circulation internally and externally
• Participate in assessment, development, and maintenance of implementing partnership relations in existing and/or potential project locations.
• Facilitate collaboration, joint troubleshooting, and consensus to ensure integration and harmonization of other sectors and departments during implementation
• In collaboration with the other project workstreams, contribute to the strategic planning and as well as high levels of integration and collaboration across the consortium and project.
• Ensure inter-departmental and inter-sectoral collaboration within IRC Uganda with other sectors

Monitoring, reporting and communication responsibilities

• Track and monitor project performance, progress, budget and workplan execution and report in accordance to set results, planned schedules, priorities, and performance standards.
• Proactively identify project management risks and areas in need of decision-making and escalate to appropriate levels of authority any issues which impact project performance or ability to meet donor commitments.
• Conduct regular field visits for supportive supervision support and compliance monitoring.
• Ensure timely compilation, uploads and submission of location specific project reports, data uploads and information updates as specified in project RMEAL guidelines.
• Coordinate and/or collaborate on project or location specific learning events, documentations and communication of achievements, lessons learned, challenges, and changes needed and application during implementation.
• Provide oversight for the implementation of theaccountability and client response mechanisms in the location

Project team management and support

• Provide day to day leadership, support supervision, and mentorship to project specific staff
• Guide, monitor and maintain high levels of support for supervisees and other project staff development, accountability, and overall performance
• Coordinate the logistical support and technical support for capacity strengthening activitiesof project staff, volunteers and implementing partners
• Work closely with the relevant in country departments to guide, plan, monitor, and verify appropriate use of the project resources.

Minimum Qualifications:

Requirements

• A Degree from an accredited university in Education, Early Childhood Education, Social Work, or other relevant field of study
• A minimum of 3 years relevant working experience in team and program management /supervision (preferably education programs for development, refugees or OVC and crisis-affected populations)
• Strong working knowledge of education -sector and issues in development and humanitarian context is highly desired
• Experience in collaborative implementation, problem-solving skills as well as working  independently with diverse teams
• Strong oral and written, communication skills and ability to successfully communicate cross-culturally with diverse constituencies.
• Good project management skills, including ability to prepare, monitor, and control budgets.
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, and other data base programs as well as use of internet and email.
• Ability and willingness to be based in the field with frequent travel within and across the project field sites (at least 75 % of the time)

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.

Professional Standards

IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the 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.

NB: This advert will close on 17^th September 2024. This position is only for Ugandan nationals to apply; IRC strives to attract, motivate, and retain qualified national staff in our programs.