Senior Education Officer-Policy and advocacy

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.

• Description

• Background/IRC Summary: 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 28 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.

  Position Summary:

  IRC is seeking a Senior Education Officer – Policy and Advocacy for the implementation of PlayMatters 3.0 (PM3.0), a multi-year initiative funded by the LEGO Foundation. PM3.0 in South Sudan adopts a system-strengthening, learning through Play (LtP) approach to improve access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning for children in crisis-affected and recovery contexts. The programme focuses on strengthening education system’s capacity for uptake and institutionalization of LtP, while expanding access to joyful, inclusive learning opportunities for children in both humanitarian and development settings. Implementation is delivered through a consortium led by IRC, in partnership with War Child Alliance and Plan International, working closely with national and sub-national education actors. More information on PlayMatters can be found here: https://www.playmatters.org

   

  The Senior Education Officer – Policy and Advocacy will play a central role under Outcome 1 (systems strengthening and policy uptake), leading efforts to identify, engage, and influence key education stakeholders in South Sudan to support the integration and scale-up of Learning through Play within national and sub-national education systems. This includes sustained engagement with the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI), Teacher Training Institutes, coordination platforms such as the Education Cluster and Local Education Group, and development and humanitarian partners to align PM3.0 approaches with existing policies, frameworks, and sector priorities.

  Reporting to the PlayMatters Project Team Lead, the position will work closely with regional policy and advocacy focal points and the project communications team to develop and implement evidence-based advocacy strategies, key messaging, and communication materials. The role will support strategic positioning of PM3.0, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that programme learning and evidence inform policy dialogue, coordination processes, and decision-making, ultimately contributing to sustainable system-level adoption and scale-up of Learning through Play in South Sudan.

   

  Job Responsibilities:

• Conduct and regularly update a comprehensive mapping of strategic partners and stakeholders, and lead stakeholder analysis and support on political economy analysis to inform a context-specific policy engagement and influence strategy, adapting it as the operating environment evolves.
• Identify and leverage policy and technical entry points within the Ministry of General Education and Instruction (MoGEI) directorates and affiliated structures to support coordinated consortium engagement and uptake of Learning through Play (LtP).
• Lead the contextualisation and continuous refinement of key messaging and communication materials on Learning through Play, ensuring alignment with South Sudan’s education priorities, including the General Education Strategic Plan (GESP) and Education Cluster strategy.
• Support the development of policy briefs, advocacy papers, and technical position documents on LtP, and ensure their strategic dissemination through national, sub-national, and regional platforms.
• Facilitate meaningful engagement of education actors including government, development partners, and civil society in PM3.0 processes, ensuring their roles and contributions are reflected in implementation workplans, learning agendas, and coordination mechanisms.
• Representation of the mandate of the PlayMatters in key strategic platforms to ensure accurate information dissemination and learning exchange, ensuring accurate information sharing, visibility, and learning exchange.
• Define clear roles and responsibilities of key education actors in achieving program objectives and coordinate their participation in PlayMatters initiatives.
• Develop the capacities of project IRC and consortium staff in engaging with and influencing key education actors. 
• Closely monitor and document policy debates, changes in policies, and shifting strategies and ensure relevant information is disseminated to project staff in a timely manner.
• Prepare key information ahead of project staff engagements with these key actors and ensure that action points are followed through.
• Track key meetings in-country and work with PlayMatters regional team, key actors, and IRC South Sudan staff to coordinate attendance.
• Monitor and support inputs of PlayMatters data periodically into relevant databases for PlayMatters and the collaborating sector departments.
• Ensure inclusion of PlayMatters initiatives into existing government-led coordination mechanisms and relevant education sector departments 

• Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in education, public policy, social science or related field required, a Masters’ degree is an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in education policy, advocacy, and communications.
• Proven track record of and knowledge of engaging with government priorities, systems, and structure.
• Demonstrated success in developing advocacy and/or communications strategies.
• Experience working with or supporting multi-stakeholder coordination mechanisms.
• Ability to analyse policy environments and translate evidence into practical recommendations for programme and policy influence.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in English required, knowledge of local languages is an added advantage.

• Reports to:  South Sudan PlayMatters Project Team Lead

  Working Environment:  The Senior Education Officer -Policy and Advocacy will work in the IRC South Sudan office and be provided regular administrative and logistics support to perform his/her responsibilities. IRC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

  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, and Anti-Retaliation.

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.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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