Job Opportunity: Project Manager - Education position available at International Rescue Committee - IRC in Debrebirhan, Amhara. Development and Project Management, Education jobs in Ethiopia are in high demand. Apply now through GeezJobs - Ethiopia's leading job portal.

Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. The IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. We began work in Ethiopia since 2000 and currently implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview: 

Playful Education Pathways in Ethiopia (PEPE) is a transformative, three-year initiative led by IRC in partnership with Luminos Fund, Emmanuel Development Association (EDA), and other local actors. PEPE aims to strengthen cost-effective, government-supported alternative learning pathways for out-of-school children (OOSC) in conflict-affected regions of Amhara and Tigray. The initiative blends crisis-responsive, play-based learning with accelerated education models to support the Ethiopian education system’s resilience and recovery, with a strong focus on girls and marginalized learners.

Major Responsibilities: 

The Regional Project Manager will support the implementation of community-based/home-based learning through supporting the subgrantee to deliver high quality pathways. This role requires strong operational leadership, contextual understanding, and coordination with local education authorities, community structures, and supporting implementing partners to ensure inclusive, resilient, and scalable education program implementation.

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Implementation & Oversight

• Ensure day-to-day management of project activities in the assigned region to ensure that all interventions are implemented in line with project goals, timelines, and quality standards. Provide overall guidance and supervision to implementing partners to maintain effective coordination and operational efficiency.

• Ensure timely and quality delivery of community-based/home-based learning interventions by overseeing planning, logistics, and monitoring processes. Support local partner to maintain a child-centered, inclusive, and participatory learning environment.

• Monitor progress against planned targets and indicators in close collaboration with RMEL Manager. Conduct regular field visits, data reviews, and reflection sessions to assess performance, identify challenges, and recommend corrective actions. Utilize monitoring data to inform decision-making and improve program delivery.

• Coordinate with partners, local education offices, and community stakeholders to align implementation with regional education priorities, strengthen collaboration, and ensure smooth integration of project activities into existing structures.

• Ensure proper budget management through effective tracking of planning, execution, and close monitoring of financial performance in relation to physical activity implementation. Align expenditures with approved budgets, work plans, and donor requirements.  Regularly review expenditure reports to identify variances between planned and actual spending to ensure corrective measures are taken promptly. Flag potential risks that may affect budget utilization or program implementation and proactively work with finance team to resolve issues in a timely manner.

2. Stakeholder Coordination

• Serve as the primary focal point between IRC and local partner. Ensure alignment with planned priorities and facilitate smooth implementation of project activities in close collaboration with local partner. This includes participating in joint planning, coordination, and review meetings, as well as documenting regular program updates on coordination forums. 

• Facilitate effective coordination among key partners such as Luminos Fund, EDA, and other local implementing organizations to promote synergy and capacity sharing, avoid duplication, and ensure consistent delivery of program interventions. Actively contribute to partner coordination forums, share best practices, and support joint problem-solving efforts to enhance overall program efficiency and impact.

• Support local partner to actively engage community leaders, caregivers, and volunteers to build strong local ownership and promote the sustainability of project initiatives. The support includes organizing community mobilization sessions, strengthening local education committees, and encouraging active participation of parent-teacher-student associations and community members in supporting children’s learning and school reintegration efforts.

3. Team Leadership & Capacity Building

• Oversee work planning and day-to-day performance to maintain high operational standards and alignment with program objectives.

• Conduct regular coaching, performance reviews, and capacity-building sessions to strengthen staff competencies. This includes identifying individual and team capacity gaps, organizing targeted training and mentorship opportunities, and fostering professional growth through constructive feedback and performance development plans.

• Promote a culture of accountability, inclusion, and continuous learning within the team of local partners by encouraging open communication, knowledge sharing, and teamwork.

4. Crisis Modifier Activation

• In close collaboration with local partner, monitor local conflict dynamics and early warning indicators to identify potential risks that may affect program delivery, school operations, or community safety. Maintain close communication with local authorities, community representatives, and partner organizations to gather real-time information and ensure timely reporting and analysis of emerging issues. 

• Coordinate rapid response actions to sustain learning continuity during shocks such as conflicts, displacement, or natural disasters. This includes activating response plans, facilitating relocation of learning spaces when needed, and mobilizing community and partner support to minimize disruptions to children’s education.

• Support preparedness planning and integration of resilience strategies across program activities by strengthening the capacity of staff, partners, and communities to anticipate, adapt, and respond effectively to crises. Promote conflict-sensitive approaches, inclusive participation, and long-term resilience planning to enhance the stability and sustainability of education interventions in fragile contexts in close collaboration with Addis-based technical staff.

5. Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) 

• Support data collection, analysis, and reporting in close collaboration with MEAL teams to ensure that program performance is accurately tracked against indicators and targets. This includes supervising data collection at the field level, verifying data quality, and ensuring timely submission of accurate reports to inform evidence-based decision-making.

• Contribute to documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and best practices by regularly reflecting on implementation progress and challenges. Actively participate in project cycle meetings, reflection sessions, and knowledge-sharing forums to strengthen the regional learning and inform future program design.

• Ensure effective feedback and accountability mechanisms are in place, allowing communities, learners, and other stakeholders to share their perspectives and concerns. Work closely with MEAL teams to ensure that feedback is systematically recorded, analyzed, and used to improve program responsiveness and relevance.

• Facilitate regular joint monitoring visits with partners, local education offices, and community structures to assess the quality and impact of learning interventions. Use findings to guide adaptive programming and ensure continuous improvement in service delivery.

• With RMEAL team, support capacity building of partners on MEAL tools and approaches to strengthen data-driven planning, reporting, and accountability practices across all program levels.

• Promote a culture of learning and evidence-based adaptation by encouraging teams to use monitoring results and feedback data to refine approaches, improve outcomes, and enhance program sustainability.

6. Compliance & Reporting 

• Ensure full adherence to IRC and donor policies, safeguarding standards, and financial procedures by promoting a culture of integrity, accountability, and transparency across all program activities. Regularly orient partners on compliance requirements, code of conduct, and child safeguarding protocols to minimize risks and uphold organizational values.

• Prepare/draft and submit high-quality progress reports that capture key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned in alignment with program indicators and donor requirements. Collaborate with technical teams to ensure that reports are data-driven, evidence-based, and reflect accurate program performance.

Safeguarding Responsibilities:

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

The Project Manager should have strong background in Education in Emergencies program management expertise and experience. They need to have good understanding and experience of the humanitarian context to design and implement emergency response interventions. 

Educational Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, International Development, Social Sciences, or related field.

Preferred experience & skills: 

• Four years of experience in managing education or Education in Emergencies (EiE) program in humanitarian context. 
• Three years of experience working on alternative learning pathways for out-of-school children

• Demonstrated qualifications, experience, or advanced training in project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of education in emergencies programs.

• Proven capacity to supervise, and coach staff and work with partners 

• Having strong team spirit and willingness to work under pressure

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall communication ability to be clear and concise in all communications
• Strong time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently with little supervision
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite 
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders and partners at regional levels. 
• Ability to manage and work through change in proactive and positive manner. 

Language Skills: 

• Proficient in English and knowledge of local languages of our intervention area is an advantage

How To Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site: https://theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/Addis-Ababa-Ethiopia/Project-Manager---Education_JR00001090

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

Disclaimer: - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. 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 Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer 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