Regional Research and Learning Coordinator, PlayMatters

• Job TitleRegional Research and Learning Coordinator, PlayMatters
• OrganisationInternational Rescue Committee (IRC)
• Reports ToDeputy Project Director – Technical, PlayMatters
• LocationAny IRC office; open to candidates in Uganda, the US and UK
• Travel25%
• ExperienceAt least 3 years
• DeadlineSaturday, 31 October 2026

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping people to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, it works in more than 40 countries.

IRC registered in Uganda in 1998 and runs health, protection, women’s protection and empowerment, economic recovery and education programmes, with a head office in Kampala and field offices serving refugee settlements and host communities.

The coordinator supports the PlayMatters regional research team to coordinate, design, implement and disseminate IRC-led research, and supports MEL teams across Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.

The role is the key link between the PlayMatters consortium, IRC’s Airbel research team and the external evaluator.

Research Operations

• Coordinate IRC-led qualitative and quantitative formative and implementation studies.
• Align with Airbel on study design, data management, budgets and quality assurance.
• Adapt and validate instruments, including cognitive pretesting and calibration of classroom observation tools.
• Programme tools in CommCare and Tangerine and train enumerators.
• Clean and analyse data, and build capacity of research teams.
• Support RCT preparation with the external evaluator and donor.

Learning Agenda

• Co-design and lead the PlayMatters Learning Agenda.
• Act as consortium focal point for learning.
• Run evidence and literature reviews.
• Facilitate workshops, reports and papers for peer-reviewed journals.

Coordination

• Act as coordination lead between Airbel and country and regional teams.
• Liaise with the external evaluator and research governance groups.
• Ensure research and MEAL workstreams are aligned.

Education

• Degree in Education, Psychology, International Development, International Relations, Peace and Conflict Studies, Policy Studies or a related social science.

Experience

• At least 3 years working in education in low-resource environments.
• Background in education research with quantitative and qualitative training.
• At least 1 year researching education in emergencies.
• At least 1 year supporting mixed-methods studies in education, psychosocial support or learning through play.
• At least 1 year supporting measurement and learning systems in complex programmes.
• Strong English writing.
• Pluses: peer-reviewed publications, Dedoose or NVivo, SPSS or Stata, East Africa experience.

Technical Skills

• Research methods: Mixed methods and RCT support.
• Data tools: CommCare, Tangerine, SPSS or Stata.
• Qualitative analysis: Dedoose or NVivo.
• Writing: Reports and journal papers.

Soft Skills

• Coordination: Multiple partners and countries.
• Facilitation: Learning workshops.
• Judgement: Quality assurance.
• Collaboration: Consortium teamwork.

Hired on a local contract at the local salary scale. Uganda pay is not stated (the advert lists US and UK ranges only).

• Regional role on a LEGO Foundation-backed programme.
• Open to candidates based in Uganda.
• Real research: tools, RCTs and publications.
• Work with IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab.
• Rare role in data and research jobs in Uganda.

Apply online through IRC’s careers portal by Saturday, 31 October 2026. The role is open to candidates in Uganda with the right to work there, on a local contract. See more NGO jobs in Uganda and jobs in Kampala.

• Show studies you ran, with methods and sample sizes.
• Mention CommCare, Tangerine, Stata or NVivo skills.
• Highlight education in emergencies work.
• Link any published papers or reports.
• Note your right to work in Uganda.