Regional LtP Communications Advisor

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future. The PlayMatters project seeks to improve holistic learning, development, and psychosocial wellbeing for 800,000 refugee and host community pre-primary and primary school going children aged 3-12+ in Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia through play-based learning. The project is being implemented by a consortium led by the International Rescue Committee, and includes Plan International, War Child Holland, Innovations for Poverty Action, and the Behavioral Insights Team in partnership with the LEGO Foundation. In addition to PlayMatters, this position will also support other LEGO Foundation–funded projects in the region, including the TeachWell initiative in Kenya, as well as any future LEGO Foundation funded projects that may be developed in the region. Collectively, these initiatives advance learning through play as a central teaching method to improve children’s holistic learning, development, and psychosocial wellbeing, and the role will strategically position and elevate the effectiveness of this approach collaborating to package and amplify it for visibility among regional and global audiences, with a focus on the following areas 1. OUTCOMES. Everything we do is fueled by the desire to improve children’s academic, social, emotional, cognitive, physical, and creative learning outcomes. We know learning happens when children are at the center and teachers, parents and the system surrounding them embrace children’s agency and have not only skills and resources, but the motivation to drive change. 2. RESEARCH AND LEARNING. Effective delivery requires both rigor and a big heart. With LEGO Foundation, PlayMatters will generate scientific evidence that can transform our understanding of play and learning for refugees in East Africa and around the world. 3. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP. The LEGO Foundation projects offers an opportunity to deliver and comes with the responsibility to lead. Our consortium’s members have a record mobilizing other. Job Overview/Summary: The Communications Advisor will be a member of the PlayMatters regional project team based in Kampala, Uganda, and will work closely with the Senior Communications Officer, Global Partnerships, and other members of the IRC global communications team. The position will lead the development and delivery of communications that engage external stakeholders and showcase PlayMatters’ impact across Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania and South Sudan, while also supporting other LEGO Foundation–funded projects in the region such as TeachWell in Kenya and any new LF funded projects in the region.. The Advisor will oversee communications, messaging, and branding across implementing partners for LF-funded projects in the region to ensure alignment and quality. In addition to producing high-quality communications materials, the role will strategically position and elevate the effectiveness of learning through play across these initiatives, collaborating to package insights for visibility within regional education circles and across IRC’s global communications and advocacy opportunities, as well as those of the LEGO Foundation, through joint amplification efforts. Major Responsibilities: • Lead the development and implementation of PlayMatters’, TeachWell, and other LF-funded projects regional communications strategy, using project data and evidence to position learning through play as an evidence-based teaching method that improves holistic learning, development, and psychosocial wellbeing. • Provide technical support to country implementing teams in Uganda, Ethiopia and Tanzania, and Kenya as well as to other LEGO foundation funded projects in the region in messaging, storytelling, branding, media, events, and other communications related needs ensuring alignment, consistency and capacity across IRC teams and consortium implementing partners. • Act as a focal point for communications with PlayMatters consortium partners and provide consortium leadership in ensuring all actors are aligned with and effectively implementing communications deliverables and branding expectations while collaborating to elevate regional achievements and evidence that reinforce learning through play. • Work with the Associate Director- Impact Partnerships, Senior Officer- Impact Partnerships, and Senior Communications Officer- Global Partnerships, to develop, execute, and obtain relevant approvals for cross-project donor-engagement communications plan. • Work with the Senior Communications Officer, Global Partnerships, to collect, package, and amplify case studies that showcase the impact of learning through play while highlighting PlayMatters and other LEGO Foundation–funded projects. This will include producing multimedia stories on the IRC and project websites, pitching media features, and contributing content for IRC’s regional and global channels where applicable. • Collaborate with the Senior Communications Officer, Global Partnerships, and PlayMatters Policy & Advocacy teams to elevate regional evidence and research into case studies and thought leadership content, positioning learning through play within strategic global education events, advocacy opportunities, and sector dialogues (e.g., International Day of Play, International Day of Education, World Refugee Day, and other relevant global convenings). • Lead the development of regional communication materials and products (e.g. fact sheets, case studies, PowerPoints, graphics, social media content, and newsletters) to raise awareness of PlayMatters, TeachWell, and other LEGO Foundation–funded projects among key stakeholders across Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, and the wider region. • Oversee the management of the PlayMatters website, www.playmatters.org , as a key visibility and resource platform, curating and disseminating stories, evidence, and learning through play materials that showcase PlayMatters’ regional impact and support use by teachers, education stakeholders, and partner organizations. • Develop and maintain project information, communication and branding policies and protocols in consultation with relevant focal points. • Work with partnerships team to prepare briefing packs for donor and other visitors to PlayMatters field activities. • Track, research and analyze information on key areas of interest as per the programmatic requirements or assignments from the Project Directors (PlayMatters, TeachWell, and others). • Advise the PlayMatters Senior Management Team on innovative means/products and ways of communicating internally as they respond to staff’s mutual concerns, issues, announcements etc. • Collaborate with the Evidence & Technical team and the Policy & Advocacy Advisor to distill research and evidence into compelling and engaging briefing materials, and advocacy papers that position learning through play within regional and global education agendas. • Ensure IRC’s LtP work in East Africa is positively reflected amongst wider public by capitalizing on the regional and in-country organized public & programmatic events (e.g. ceremonies, commemorations etc.) as needed and appropriate. Key Working Relationships: • Position Reports to: Project Director, PlayMatters and is managed in partnership with other Directors/Managers of other LEGO Foundation funded projects in the region. • Position supervises: Regional Visual Content Producer Other Internal and/or external contacts: • Internal: PlayMatters regional project team, IRC country program staff; and relevant IRC regional and headquarters units, such as External Relations; • External: PlayMatters consortium partner focal points: War Child Holland; Plan International; Innovations for Poverty Action; and the Behavioral Insights Team Requirements: • At least 5 years of relevant communications experience with 3 years’ work experience with an INGO in a similar role • Proven experience in developing and implementing strategic communications approaches that showcase program impact, position evidence for influence, and contribute to thought leadership in the education or humanitarian sector. • Experience working with consortium partners, implementing organizations, and donors to align messaging, branding, and visibility priorities, ensuring effective collaboration and external positioning. • Demonstrated ability to translate research and program evidence into compelling communications that influence policy, advocacy, and education sector conversations. • Track record of contributing to external advocacy moments or global events (e.g., international days, summits, or convenings), ensuring regional achievements are represented in global platforms. • Experience in collecting and developing content from the field, producing compelling communications materials and working with media • Excellent verbal and non-verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment with international and national colleagues and partners. • Fluency in English is required and strong writing skills • Solid organizational skills: the ability to be flexible and work well under pressure, dealing with competing priorities, in a fast-paced team environment. • Detail-oriented and good multi-tasking abilities to meet multiple deadlines • Strong understanding of humanitarian crises and contexts in Eastern Africa is a plus • Strong team player • Strong understanding of user-centered graphic design, process including ability to advise on how to distill large amounts of information into aesthetically pleasing, donor-compliant and engaging materials for a wide audience. Working Environment: • Standard office work environment • Travel required 40% • Position is based in the IRC Regional PlayMatters office in Kampala, Uganda Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality. Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings

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