Project Director – PlayMatters 3.0

About the role

The International Rescue Committee is seeking a senior Project Director to lead PlayMatters 3.0, a five‑year, private‑foundation‑funded initiative operating in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. Based in Kampala, the role oversees the delivery of high‑impact education programming for refugee and host‑community children and represents the project to donors, governments and partners.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to ensure project goals are met.
• Develop, review and monitor annual work and performance plans with project staff.
• Oversee implementation of activities, ensuring compliance with performance frameworks and operational policies.
• Manage partners and sub‑grantees, including budgeting, financial tracking and timely donor reporting.
• Report to donors through formal debriefings, annual and semi‑annual reports.
• Maintain active relationships with government officials, implementing agencies and other stakeholders.
• Represent the project publicly and disseminate lessons learned.
• Foster a collaborative work environment that promotes teamwork, trust and staff empowerment.

Required profile

• Advanced degree in international development, humanitarian assistance or related field.
• Minimum 10 years experience managing programs for refugees or crisis‑affected populations.
• Proven experience overseeing large‑scale, multi‑million‑dollar, multi‑country projects.
• Experience in East Africa (Ethiopia, South Sudan, Uganda) on education programming.
• Demonstrated success in staff capacity‑building and gender‑sensitive programming.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English.