Project Coordinator, Childcare Economy, 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.

1. Organization description

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. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, 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. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power. Given the disparity faced by women and girls, the IRC seeks to narrow gender inequalities and also ensure social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in broader policies, processes and actions affecting their lives.

The IRC has been working in Ethiopia since 1999 and in Uganda since 1998, supporting refugees, host communities and a range of national and local institutions, including government, community-based organisations, civil society and the private sector. In both countries the IRC implements programming across health, protection and rule of law (PRoL), women's protection and empowerment (WPE), economic recovery and development (ERD), and education, alongside cross-cutting work on systems strengthening and accountability to affected people. The IRC's regional education and early childhood development (ECD) portfolio includes PlayMatters, which promotes learning through play for refugee and host-community children in East Africa.

2. Job Overview

PlayMatters 3.0 is the next phase of the IRC-led PlayMatters initiative, funded by the LEGO Foundation. With co-funding from the UBS Optimus Foundation, PlayMatters 3.0 incorporates a new component, Outcome 4 - Comprehensive Support to the Childcare Economy. Outcome 4 is led by IRC and will be delivered in Ethiopia and Uganda only. It is embedded within the existing PlayMatters programme management structure and leverages the IRC's country operations and partnerships in both countries. As a new component, Outcome 4 is launching an inception phase running until December 2026, with plans for a phased start of implementation activities beginning in January 2027.

Rather than directly operating childcare services, IRC will serve as a systems integrator and ecosystem catalyst, connecting existing and emerging childcare providers to the financing instruments, technical support and policy frameworks they need to sustain and grow their services.IRC in-country staff are envisioned to provide the primary operational presence in both Ethiopia and Uganda, including direct coaching and regular monitoring visits to childcare providers.

Outcome 4 is designed to contribute directly to the higher-order goal of the PlayMatters Theory of Change. Child development outcomes will be anchored in the Nurturing Care Framework (WHO/UNICEF/World Bank, 2018), with a focus on social-emotional learning, safety and security, responsive caregiving, and mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) — dimensions particularly relevant to conflict-affected children in Ethiopia and Uganda. Provider economic sustainability will be tracked against a defined set of indicators, including operating cost coverage ratio, cash flow consistency and provider graduation rate, to build the investment case and demonstrate viability beyond the grant period.

To provide day-to-day coordination and oversight of this component, the IRC is seeking a Project Coordinator covering both Ethiopia and Uganda. The Project Coordinator will be responsible for pushing forward all agreed Outcome 4 deliverables with the UBS Optimus Foundation, working in close collaboration with IRC/ PlayMatters country teams, the IRC Ethiopia and IRC Uganda technical coordinators for education and ERD, IRC ECD and ERD technical unit staff, and the technical partners supporting this component

Geographic targeting within Ethiopia and Uganda will be guided by a clear set of selection criteria to be finalised during the inception phase, drawing on the landscape assessment and provider mapping. Where feasible, co-location with PlayMatters 3.0 implementation areas will be prioritised, given the potential for operational synergies and shared community relationships; however, childcare demand, provider density, market viability and government partnership opportunities may point to different or additional geographies. The Project Coordinator will play a central role in this process and should expect a high volume of travel across both countries.

3. Major Responsibilities:

Inception phase and start-up (September – December 2026)

• Coordinate delivery of the Outcome 4 inception phase workplan across Ethiopia and Uganda, ensuring milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Work with GDI and GSF to finalise the geographic selection criteria, and support delivery of the landscape assessment and childcare provider mapping in both countries.
• Facilitate the process for confirming target geographies, weighing co-location opportunities with PlayMatters 3.0 implementation areas against childcare demand, provider density, market viability and government partnership opportunities.
• Support the recruitment, onboarding and induction of Outcome 4 staff in Ethiopia and Uganda, and establish the operating routines, tools and systems the component will use from January 2027.

Project planning, delivery and budget management

• Provide leadership for project planning and scheduling for Outcome 4, from the high-level planning phase to detailed short-term activity scheduling in both countries.
• Track project progress against high-level and detailed plans, troubleshooting and flagging barriers to success with relevant staff and leadership.
• Manage and oversee the Outcome 4 budget, track expenditure across both countries and maintain accurate projections.
• Support country teams to develop, manage and implement key project management tools, such as workplans, spending plans and procurement plans.
• Ensure that project communications are timely, relevant and accurate, including regular status updates to key focal points within PlayMatters, IRC’s Education Technical Unit, and Philanthropy and Partnerships.
• Ensure Outcome 4 activities are integrated with the wider PlayMatters 3.0 outcomes so that synergies and complementarities are realised rather than duplicated.

Ecosystem coordination and partner management

• Act as the primary programme focal point for technical partners, ensuring partners are on track with their deliverables, targets and spending.
• Operationalise the systems integrator function: mapping and convening childcare providers, financing partners, technical service providers and government stakeholders, and brokering the connections between them.
• Support engagement with relevant ministries and district and woreda authorities in Ethiopia and Uganda on childcare policy, standards, registration and quality assurance.
• Serve as the main liaison with IRC technical unit focal points for ECD and ERD, ensuring they provide technical insight and support to Outcome 4 activities and objectives.

Provider support, coaching and monitoring

• Provide leadership and strategic guidance to the country-level implementation of direct coaching support to childcare providers, drawing on IRC/ PlayMatters in-country staff as the primary operational presence in both countries.
• Plan and undertake regular coordination, advocacy and monitoring visits in Ethiopia and Uganda.
• Support providers to strengthen business practices and to access appropriate financing instruments, working alongside technical and financing partners.
• Identify capacity gaps among providers and coordinate the training and technical support needed to address them.

Monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning

• Work with the IRC/ PlayMatters MEAL team to operationalise Outcome 4 indicators, including child development outcomes anchored in the Nurturing Care Framework: social-emotional learning, safety and security, responsive caregiving, and MHPSS.
• Oversee routine tracking of provider economic sustainability indicators, including operating cost coverage ratio, cash flow consistency and provider graduation rate.
• Coordinate documentation of evidence and learning to build the investment case for childcare and demonstrate provider viability beyond the grant period.
• Ensure safeguarding, child protection and accountability standards are applied consistently across all Outcome 4 activities, including partner-delivered work.

Donor and stakeholder relations

• Coordinate with the International Philanthropy & Partnerships team to ensure that all feedback and requests for information from the UBS Optimus Foundation and LEGO Foundation are timely addressed.
• Contribute to donor reporting, ensuring narrative and financial reporting for Outcome 4 is accurate, evidence-based and submitted on time.
• Represent Outcome 4 in donor-facing conversations, technical working groups and external fora as delegated.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Internal:

• Position reports to: PlayMatters 3.0 Deputy Project Director Technical (based in Kampala, Uganda)
• Indirect / technical reporting to: Technical Advisor, Early Childhood Development (based in Nairobi, Kenya)
• Other internal contacts: PlayMatters country teams in Ethiopia and Uganda, and related departments within the IRC to ensure smooth workflows
• Managing Deputy Coordinators in Uganda and Ethiopia

External: Global Development Incubator (GDI); Global Schools Forum (GSF); childcare providers and provider networks; financing partners and local financial institutions; relevant national ministries and district and woreda authorities in Ethiopia and Uganda; UBS Optimus Foundation, in coordination with IRC Philanthropy & Partnerships; other PlayMatters consortium partners.

4. Requirements

The Project Coordinator, Childcare Economy will need to meet the requirements below:

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in education, early childhood development, international development, economics, business administration or a related field; a master’s degree is an advantage.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in project management, including large-scale, cross-functional, multi-location projects. Experience coordinating delivery across more than one country is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in education and/or early childhood development programming, ideally including work grounded in the Nurturing Care Framework or comparable ECD frameworks.
• Familiarity with the childcare economy, including childcare provider business models, childcare demand and market dynamics, provider financing, and the policy and regulatory environment for childcare provision.
• Understanding of financing instruments relevant to small providers — for example results-based financing, blended finance, grant-to-loan pathways or small business development support — and comfort working with operating costs, cash flow and cost coverage.
• Professional experience responding to complex humanitarian crises and/or post-conflict situations; experience in Ethiopia and/or Uganda is an added advantage.
• Experience managing and supporting partners, including consortium or multi-partner arrangements.
• Experience managing project budgets, tracking expenditure and maintaining accurate projections.
• Experience with training, coaching and staff or partner capacity building.
• Experience representing programmes to donors or clients, ideally including private foundations.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently between Ethiopia and Uganda and to field locations, estimated at up to 40–50% of working time and higher during the inception phase.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is essential, with demonstrated exceptionally strong writing and presentation skills. Working knowledge of Amharic and/or a relevant Ugandan language is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, presentation, communication and representation skills.
• Strong commitment to the IRC's mission, purpose and values.

COMPETENCIES

• Strong cross-cultural communication skills and eager to work as part of a diverse, multi-country team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.
• Exceptional advance planning and organisational skills. Able to effectively prioritise and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously across two country programmes.
• Analytical, strategic, and able to proactively develop solutions to complex challenges.
• Comfortable with ambiguity. This is a new component in an inception phase: priorities, target geographies and provider partners will be defined as the work progresses.
• Demonstrated creativity and ability to apply innovative thinking and problem-solving skills, particularly where humanitarian programming meets market-based approaches.
• Able to navigate interpersonal and inter-departmental dynamics across country programmes, technical units and external partners to keep focus on goals and products.
• Able to make difficult decisions, as necessary, to ensure that the project stays on track and focused.
• Able to work well under administrative and programmatic pressures, and flexible in adapting to changing requirements.
• High levels of attention to detail and strong organisational skills.
• Reliable and able to work independently while being a strong team player.

5. Working Environment

The position will be based in Kampala, Uganda or Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with frequent travel to project locations in both countries. Travel will make up a significant proportion of the role, particularly during the inception phase and the first year of implementation.

IRC security phase classifications vary across operating areas in Ethiopia and Uganda and are reviewed regularly. Current classifications for the relevant locations will be confirmed by the respective country security focal points, and all travel is subject to IRC security clearance procedures. The successful candidate will be expected to comply fully with IRC security policies and procedures in both countries.

The IRC offers a competitive salary and benefits package in line with the applicable salary scale.

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.

The IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, colour, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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.