Project Director – PlayMatters (Education Project)

About the role

The International Rescue Committee is seeking a Project Director to lead PlayMatters 3.0, a five‑year, private‑foundation‑funded initiative in Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda. The role will ensure high‑impact education programming for refugee and host‑community children and serve as the primary liaison with donors, governments and partners.

Key responsibilities

• Provide strategic and technical leadership to achieve project goals and maximize impact for children.
• Develop, review and monitor annual work and performance plans in coordination with project staff.
• Oversee project delivery, ensuring activities align with performance frameworks and operational policies.
• Manage partners and sub‑grantees, optimizing resources through sound budgeting, financial tracking and timely donor reporting.
• Maintain active relationships with government officials, implementing agencies and other key stakeholders, representing the project publicly.
• Support staff by fostering a collaborative, respectful work environment that encourages responsibility and teamwork.

Required profile

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