• PositionDeputy Project Coordinator – Policy and Advocacy (PlayMatters)
• CompanyInternational Rescue Committee (IRC)
• LocationKampala, Uganda
• Job TypeFull-Time
• CategoryNGO Jobs in Uganda
• IndustryInternational Development / Education
• ProgrammePlayMatters 3.0 (LEGO Foundation)
• ConsortiumIRC, War Child Holland, Plan International, LEGO Foundation
• Experience5+ Years in Policy/Advocacy/Education Reform
• DeadlineThursday, 24th September 2026

The Deputy Coordinator will provide strategic and operational leadership for PlayMatters 3.0’s policy influence, systems strengthening, stakeholder engagement, and scaling agenda. The position leads coordination and implementation of activities aimed at institutionalizing Learning through Play (LtP) within national and sub-national education systems while strengthening government ownership and sustainable pathways for scale.

Working closely with consortium partners (War Child Holland, Plan International, LEGO Foundation), government stakeholders, and technical teams, the Deputy Coordinator ensures that project evidence, learning, and innovations inform education policy, teacher development systems, education sector reforms, and crisis-responsive programming.

Policy Leadership & Coordination

• Lead implementation and periodic review of PlayMatters 3.0 policy influence and systems-strengthening plans.
• Coordinate policy commitments across consortium and national partners.
• Embed policy priorities in annual workplans, budgets, learning agendas, and risk registers.
• Monitor emerging policy reforms and sector priorities; enable adaptive management.

Policy Influence & Systems Strengthening

• Institutionalize LtP in teacher development systems, policy frameworks, standards, curricula, and emergency guidance.
• Produce policy recommendations, position papers, technical guidance, and strategic documents based on project evidence.
• Support government adoption, ownership, and scaling of project innovations.

Government Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

• Maintain stakeholder maps and influence frameworks (actors, incentives, decision pathways).
• Cultivate relationships with Ministries of Education, district governments, teacher education institutions, and development partners.
• Represent the project in technical working groups, sector reviews, and policy consultations.
• Coordinate stakeholder engagement plans and sustainable pathways for government-led continuation.

Evidence, Learning & Advocacy

• Translate research and MEAL findings into policy products and advocacy messages.
• Develop and disseminate policy briefs, technical notes, presentations, and advocacy materials.
• Lead policy events including dialogues, workshops, and consultations.
• Document quarterly briefs on systems change, policy influence outcomes, and scale achievements.

Capacity Strengthening & Monitoring

• Build capacity of partners in policy engagement, systems thinking, and advocacy.
• Facilitate joint planning, reporting, learning, and accountability with system actors.
• Track progress against policy influence indicators; maintain engagement trackers.
• Document stakeholder engagements, commitments, and policy change outcomes.

Required Education

• MA degree from an accredited university in Education, International Development, Social Sciences, or a related field.

Work Experience

• At least 5 years of progressive experience in policy engagement, advocacy, education sector reform, systems strengthening, or public sector engagement.
• Demonstrated experience working with government ministries, education institutions, development partners, and policy-making processes.
• Experience translating research and evidence into policy and programme influence.
• Experience in complex, multi-stakeholder programmes and consortium environments is highly desirable.

Technical Knowledge

• Strong understanding of education policy, teacher development systems, education-in-emergencies, and competency-based learning reforms.
• Proven ability to develop policy products, advocacy strategies, and influence plans.

Technical Skills

• Policy Influence: Developing influence plans, policy recommendations, position papers, and strategic documents.
• Systems Strengthening: Institutionalizing innovations in teacher development, curricula, and policy frameworks.
• Evidence Translation: Converting research and MEAL findings into policy products and advocacy messages.
• Education Expertise: Understanding of education-in-emergencies, competency-based reforms, and Learning through Play.
• Consortium Management: Coordinating across multiple partners and aligning workplans with policy objectives.

Soft Skills

• Stakeholder Engagement: Cultivating high-level relationships with government, development partners, and coordination platforms.
• Facilitation: Leading policy dialogues, workshops, and multi-stakeholder consultations.
• Negotiation: Navigating policy processes and building consensus across diverse actors.
• Communication: Strong oral and written communication for policy products and presentations.
• Adaptive Management: Identifying opportunities, risks, and strategic priorities in evolving contexts.

IRC offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. Benefits include working for one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations (founded 1933, active in 40+ countries), leading a flagship education programme backed by LEGO Foundation, consortium partnership with War Child Holland and Plan International, gender-sensitive benefits and parental leave policies, professional development in policy engagement and education systems, and contributing to improved learning outcomes for refugee and crisis-affected children in Uganda.

• Join the IRC, one of the world’s most respected humanitarian organizations (90+ years of impact).
• Lead policy and advocacy for a flagship LEGO Foundation-backed education programme.
• Work in consortium with War Child Holland, Plan International, and LEGO Foundation.
• Engage directly with Uganda’s Ministry of Education, district governments, and education institutions.
• Drive systems-level change with potential for nationwide adoption of Learning through Play.
• Impact learning outcomes for children in 7 refugee-hosting districts.
• Gender-sensitive benefits including parental leave and supportive allowances.
• Equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion.

Apply directly through the IRC Workday careers portal:

• Click the link below to access the application form.
• Complete the online application with your details and CV.
• Deadline: Thursday, 24th September 2026.

• Highlight your MA degree and 5+ years of policy engagement or education reform experience.
• Demonstrate experience working with government ministries and education institutions.
• Show examples of translating research into policy products (briefs, position papers, advocacy strategies).
• Mention consortium or multi-stakeholder programme experience if applicable.
• Highlight understanding of education-in-emergencies, competency-based reforms, or Learning through Play.
• Include experience in refugee-hosting or crisis-affected contexts if applicable.

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