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 objective