New Job Vacancy at International Rescue Committee (IRC) – Content and Curriculum Development Manager

Job Title: Content and Curriculum Development Manager – PlayMatters (One Position)

Sector: Education

Employment Category: Regular 

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Kasulu, Tanzania

Job Description

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Deputy Project  Coordinator - PlayMatters

Indirect Reporting: N/A

Position supervises: 2 Content and Development Officers, 1 Illustrator

 IRC Summary

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 request 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 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.

Project Background

PlayMatters (2020-2025) is an education initiative funded through a $100 million grant from the LEGO Foundation. The program reimagines childhood for 800,000+ refugee and host-community children across Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda – children whose education and social development has been affected by displacement and trauma. Building on children’s amazing resilience and a growing evidence base supporting Learning through Play methodologies, PlayMatters cultivates holistic learning for children ages 3-12+. PlayMatters is led by the International Rescue Committee and includes Plan International, War Child Holland, Innovations for Poverty Action, the Behavioral Insights Team in partnership with the LEGO Foundation. 

Position Overview

The Content and Curriculum Development Manager will report to the country Deputy Project Coordinator and work closely with the regional content development/adaptation team and other PlayMatters Project staffs to develop/adapt content and test developed content and approaches for teachers, parents and children.  S/he will also support to map existing teaching and learning materials for preschool and primary school children in Tanzania and establish a framework for Learning through Play (LtP) competencies and quality LtP standards. In doing so, the Content and Curriculum Development Manager will ensure the type of engagement in design and implementation necessary to achieve joint priorities and objectives of providing play-based learning opportunities for all children.

Roles and Responsibilities

• Contribute to PlayMatters collection of existing teaching and learning materials being used in the country, region and globally with a framework for continuous collaboration and integration of best practices;
• Based on behavioral insights mapping and human centered design research, co-lead in the development of and lead localization of content for educators, caregivers, community leaders and system actors;
• Lead in conducting needs assessments for educators, caregivers, community leaders and system actors, to ensure that scope and sequence of the training is relevant and responsive to  needs;
• Report and pilot samples of different content areas and delivery mechanisms for educators, caregivers, community leaders and system actors;
• Develop and lead implementation of rapid and iterative testing for developed content and approaches;
•  Lead in the piloting and testing process of the Learning through Play guides, content, and curriculum in coordination with other consortium members in the refugee camps and host community;
• Engage government and humanitarian coordination leads, implementing partners, teachers, parents, and children through structured adaptation processes;
•  Develop/adapt training content for educators, caregivers, community leaders and system actors in refugee and refugee host communities through participatory and consultative process involving local teacher education colleges and other education stakeholders;
• Deliver ToTs to prepare trainers from PlayMatters, other education service providers and the government to conduct trainings with educators, caregivers, community leaders, and system actors;
• Support the monitoring of quality/fidelity of these trainings in collaboration with the MEAL staff at local level;
• Ensure that educators, caregivers, community leaders and system actors have ongoing technical support and opportunities to practice what they have learnt;
• Update key messages and communications materials on play-based learning to reflect the Tanzanian context targeting refugees and host communities and update as the context evolves;
• Lead in training teachers, parents/caregivers, education personnel on Learning through Play approaches.
• Provide technical leadership and guidance to educators and education personnel to integrate and mainstream Learning through Play in their teachings;
• Support ways for caregivers to integrate Learning through Play to day-to-day children activities;
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by your supervisor.

Qualifications

• Advanced degree from an accredited university in education, curriculum development, education management or related field.
•  Minimum of 5 years of experience in content/curriculum development/adaptation, testing, and training. Experience of working NGO setting and in education emergency responses programs is an added advantage.
• Demonstratable strong background in developing contents, modules and guidelines for teachers, parents, and caregivers. Experience with Learning through Play approaches will be considered a strong asset.
• Experience teaching in ECD, Primary, secondary School and teacher education preferred.
• Proven track record of and knowledge of engaging with government priorities, systems, and structure.
• Demonstrated success in developing educational/training content and delivery.
• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.
• Fluency in English and Kiswahili is required.

Knowledge and Skills

• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including presentation and public speaking.
•  Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to multitask while working on projects with varying activities, objectives, and deliverables.
• Excellent interpersonal, negotiation and influencing skills.
• Creates a strong sense of purpose within the portfolio and with stakeholders.
• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating in difficult working conditions.

Abilities

• Communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and diplomatically manage collegial relationships.
• Work productively in a team environment and the ability to meet unexpected demands.
• Pay attention to details and set priorities.

 

Standards for Professional Conduct

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.

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.

IRC is an Equal 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, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

 

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Warning :

Please be warned of various schemes, being circulated via e-mails, from the Internet web sites, and via regular mail or fax, falsely being issued by or associated with the IRC . Beware that The IRC do not charge any fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing, training or any other fees). If asked of any payment please contact TZ-Recruitement@Rescue.Org