Social Emotional Learning Manager

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 International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crisis and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

Since 2007, IRC has worked with refugees and other vulnerable populations in Jordan. Working in coordination with the humanitarian community and the Government of Jordan, the IRC's assistance programs for children in Jordan include both camp-based (Zaatari, and Azraq camps) and urban-based refugee assistance (Mafraq, Ramtha, Irbid).

Since 2018, the IRC has emerged as a leading actor in Early Childhood Development (ECD) in Jordan through comprehensive, community-based programming that combines direct service delivery, educational media, and systems strengthening. These programs have reached millions of children and caregivers with quality ECD services, while also contributing to national efforts to enhance the early childhood ecosystem. 

In collaboration with key stakeholders such as the Ministry of Education (MoE), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), and the National Council for Family Affairs (NCFA), the IRC has supported the development of a holistic, cross-sectoral ECD system aligned with the Nurturing Care Framework. These efforts address the multi-dimensional needs of young children — encompassing early learning, health, nutrition, safety and security, and responsive caregiving — ensuring that ECD services are inclusive and accessible to both refugees and vulnerable Jordanians. 

The IRC’s ECD programming is known for its innovative and contextually relevant approaches, reaching children and families in remote areas, urban communities, and refugee camps. By focusing on holistic child development, social-emotional well-being, and caregiver empowerment, the IRC supports children in building strong foundations for lifelong learning, resilience, and well-being. 

Job Overview/Summary

The Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) Manager, under the supervision of the Senior ECD Manager, will lead the design and implementation of a national-level SEL initiative within IRC Jordan’s ECD portfolio. The role will focus on co-developing and rolling out a high-quality, inclusive SEL training package in close partnership with the MoE, ensuring alignment with national KG2 standards and the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework.

The SEL Manager will support capacity building for MoE supervisors and KG2 teachers, promoting the effective and sustainable integration of SEL practices in early learning classrooms. This position will contribute to the institutionalization of SEL within Jordan’s education system and will work closely with the Senior ECD Manager to ensure strategic coherence, technical quality, and strong coordination with government and education stakeholders.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the Senior ECD Manager, the SEL Manager will be responsible for the successful leadership, coordination, and delivery of a national-level SEL) initiative in partnership with the MoE. 

Training Design and Capacity Strengthening: 

• Co-lead the development of an inclusive, culturally relevant KG2 SEL training package in collaboration with MoE and national stakeholders. 

• Oversee the rollout of a blended Training of Trainers (ToT) model for 25–30 MoE KG2 supervisors, equipping them with tools to mentor and support KG2 teachers. 

• Manage the pilot training and coaching of 60 KG2 teachers across 12 cities, followed by refinement and scale-up to 300 teachers during the national rollout phase. 

• Mentor and support field teams, consultants, and training facilitators (MoE supervisors responsible for conducting teacher trainings) to ensure high-quality delivery of training and monitoring activities. 

• Facilitate regular feedback loops with MoE supervisors, teachers, and other stakeholders to iterate and enhance SEL practices and training content. 

• Contribute to the development and use of tools and resources that support supervisors in providing effective on-site coaching and mentoring to KG2 teachers.
• Support the Senior ECD Manager in monitoring the Porticus project work plan and budget, ensuring activities are implemented on time and resources are used efficiently.

Government and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Work closely with the Senior ECD Manager to maintain strong coordination with the MoE and other national partners, ensuring alignment with national frameworks and education strategies.
• Support the establishment and facilitation of the National Technical Committee to guide the project’s alignment with MoE policies and CPD accreditation processes. 

• Co-lead with MoE, the development of a national rollout and sustainability strategy to embed SEL into Jordan’s CPD framework and institutional systems. 

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL) 

• Collaborate with the MEAL team to design and implement tools for tracking training quality, educator SEL competency, classroom implementation, and child outcomes. 

• Lead the documentation of lessons learned, success stories, and evidence to inform scale-up, policy engagement, and future programming. 

• Contribute to quarterly reporting, donor deliverables, and internal learning reviews. 

Sustainability and Policy Integration 

• Support efforts to ensure the SEL training package is endorsed, accredited, and integrated within national teacher development systems.
• Coordinate the integration of learning into MoE policy and programming, with a focus on inclusive ECD 

• Champion sustainability by building local capacity, supporting government-led implementation models, and advocating for continued investment in SEL at the national level. 

Other Responsibilities 

• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, IRC policies, and project timelines and deliverables. 

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to: ECD senior Manager

Indirect/Technical Reporting: IRC Technical Advisors

Position directly Supervises: Non

Key Internal Contacts: ECD/Education leads, Supply Chain Department, Finance Department, Program Coordinators, Program Managers, M&E Sr. Manager, Partnership Coordinator, Grants Coordinator 

Key External Contacts: Relevant stakeholders, e.g., Ministry of Education, UN bodies, local and national authorities

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as SEL, Psychosocial Support (PSS), Social Sciences, Education, Psychology, ECD Human Development, Social Work, or a closely related discipline with a clear focus on SEL-PSS. 

• Minimum of five years of professional experience in designing and implementing SEL and/or ECD programs, preferably in both humanitarian and development contexts. 

• Proven experience in capacity building, project design, and program coordination, with emphasis on Training of Trainers (ToT) approaches and ongoing coaching models. 

• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with local partners and government bodies, particularly the MoE and national teacher training institutions, to support system strengthening and institutionalization of SEL/PSS or ECD initiatives. 

• Strong writing and analytical skills, including the ability to develop and use MEALE frameworks and assessment tools for program decision-making, learning, and advocacy. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, email, and other software tools relevant to program coordination, training delivery, and reporting. 

• Fluency in spoken and written English and Arabic is required. 

Interpersonal specifications:

• Promote teamwork, and collaboration across internal teams, MoE supervisors, consultants, and MoE field staff. 

•  Effectively plan, prioritize, and coordinate project activities with multiple stakeholders Demonstrate strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills in collaborative and consultative settings. Manage competing priorities and deadlines within a complex, national-level project 

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Working Environment:

This Position is based in Amman, with frequent visits to IRC program sites and location in Jordan.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

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.

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