Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises 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 22 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.

The IRC has been providing education services for Congolese and Burundian girls and boys in the Nyarugusu Refugee Camp since January 2014 and extended education services to Mtendeli refugee camp in March 2016. Services cover the full education spectrum from pre-school, through primary and secondary school, Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and tertiary education applications. Schools follow the country of origin national curriculum (Burundian and Congolese).

The IRC is the consortium lead for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. The PlayMatters initiative will increase play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. This project aims to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.

Scope of Work

The IRC is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic PlayMatters Officer to carry out PlayMatters activities in Refugee Camps and host communities in Kigoma region. The PlayMatters Officer will work with a team of officers to ensure all project activities are carried out in a timely manner. The PlayMatters Officer will represent the PlayMatters in relevant camp based stakeholder meetings and PlayMatters project coordination meetings.

This position will report to the PlayMatters Manager and will be based at one of the three refugee camps.

Program Implementation

• Ensure timely implementation of PlayMatters activities in refugee camps, ensuring adherence to donor requirements and regulations.
• Provide and coordinate training for incentive staff.
• Work closely with HR and the Education Protection Officer to ensure all violations of the Teacher Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are properly reported.
• Support preparation of activity reports, monthly, and donor reports based on the prescribed template.
• Notify the PlayMatters Manager of any problems, complaints, or useful information about all aspects of the PlayMatters  program.
• Work with the PlayMatters M&E Manager and officer to undertake assessments in coordination with partners, UNHCR, UNICEF, where appropriate.

Representation and Partnership

• Support coordination and participation in monthly Camp Based Education Working Group meetings, providing minutes to the regional Education Working Group.
• Ensure the PlayMatters project is integrated and coordinated with other IRC sectors.

HR Management

• Ensure adherence by staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures and the IRC way.
• Report any violations of the IRC Sexual Abuse and Exploitation, The IRC Way, and Child Safeguarding Policy (TZ specific and global), as per the IRC Tanzania reporting mechanism.
• Participate in training and mentorship of incentive staff
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by your supervisor

Qualifications

• Degree in Education from a recognized institution (preferably qualified teacher)
• Minimum two years’ work experience.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies

• A commitment to IRC’s mission and humanitarian principles.
• Receptive to building and maintaining positive relationships with people from all backgrounds, genders, cultures and viewpoints.
• Experience working with refugee communities desirable.
• Knowledge of Education in Emergencies.
• Experience working with children, preferably in a teaching capacity.
• Experience in planning and delivering training.
• Experience in community mobilisation and coordination.
• Highly collaborative and consultative approach.
• Good IT skills: knowledge of MS Word; Excel and Outlook required
• Swahili and good English written and oral skills required.  French and Kirundi a plus.

Professional Standards

IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.