Deputy Team Leader

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.

About IRC

The IRC has been operating in South Sudan since 1989. Our programs have provided critical Health, Nutrition, Protection and Rule of Law, Child Protection, Education and Economic Wellbeing services in eleven field sites, covering five of the ten states and one administrative area. With two offices in Northern Bahr el Ghazal- NBeG (Aweil East and South), five offices in Unity State (Bentiu, Koch, Mayendit, Ganyliel and Nyal), one in the Ruweng Administrative Area (Jamjang) covering operations in the Ajuong Thok and Pamir Refugee Camps and the host community, one office in Rumbek town covering the whole of Lakes, one office in Maban covering the refugee response and one field office in Central Equatoria (Juba)-urban programming together with the Country office.

Background and Objectives of EFASS

South Sudan has one of the world's most fragile education systems, with approximately 2.8 to 3 million children, representing around 60 to 70 percent of the school-age population, out of school. Foundational literacy and numeracy outcomes remain critically low, with less than 10 percent of children achieving minimum reading competency. Years of conflict, accelerating climate shocks, and government education expenditure under 3 percent of the national budget have created an entrenched crisis. Girls and children with disabilities are disproportionately affected by these barriers, with harmful gender norms and stigma further limiting their access to education.

EFASS, with a budget of up to £27 million over four years from April 2026 to March 2030, is designed to deliver five interlinked outcomes. These are improved access, retention, and progression for the most marginalised out-of-school children, particularly girls and children with disabilities in conflict and climate-affected areas. The programme also targets improved foundational learning outcomes in literacy and numeracy, strengthened delivery of inclusive and climate-adaptive education approaches by teachers and facilitators, improved education data and evidence for decision-making through a national Learning Outcomes and Quality Assessment, and strengthened pathways for system uptake and sustainability beyond EFASS.

Scope of Work

The Deputy Team Leader (Technical) holds primary responsibility for overseeing, supporting, and mentoring of  various technical leads, to achieve the programmes stated goals. The postholder ensures technical coherence across all programme components and that interventions align with EFASS outcomes and cross-cutting principles including gender-transformative approaches, disability inclusion, conflict sensitivity, and climate adaptation. The Deputy Team Leader facilitates cross-learning between programme components and resolves technical challenges arising during implementation. The successful candidate will bring exceptional experience, expertise, and commitment to inclusive education in South Sudan. Strong skills in programme design and development are essential, along with demonstrated ability in advocacy and networking with international and national institutions and development agencies promoting inclusive education. Broad technical knowledge of formal and alternative education, systems strengthening, and gender programming including women and girls' empowerment and gender and poverty-related barriers is required.

The Deputy Team Leader acts on behalf of the Team Leader in their absence and represents the programme in technical forums with FCDO, the Ministry of General Education and Instruction, and sector coordination bodies.

Deputy Team Leader Profile & Qualifications

• Advanced degree or equivalent experience in education, gender, disability and inclusion, or a related field, combined with at least 8 years working in international development and education with a focus on education in emergencies, education in fragile and conflict-affected states, or accelerated education alongside gender and disability inclusion.
• Minimum of 8 years leading the management of large or complex donor-funded programmes and managing a diverse team of professionals and consortium partners. Experience with delivery at national scale is an advantage.
• Extensive experience working in South Sudan is strongly preferred.
• Experience with adaptive management approaches and evidence-based programming is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership and direction in harnessing the multi-disciplinary skills of technical personnel and consortium partners within complex and high-risk environments.
• Familiarity with current debates about girls' education, education for children with disabilities, and conflict-sensitive and climate-adaptive education approaches, including FCDO's thinking and emerging priorities.
• Experience with programmes that include conditional cash transfers to encourage school enrolment and retention, accelerated education, catch-up learning methodologies, teaching at the right level approaches, and foundational literacy and numeracy interventions.
• Experience with learning assessments or education data systems, teacher training and continuous professional development, and understanding of systems strengthening approaches.
• Experience working with children and adolescents with demonstrated ability to apply safeguarding, ethics, and do no harm principles throughout programme delivery.
• Excellent analytical, communication, and writing skills with the ability to articulate evidence-based arguments and positions to promote programme objectives. Fluency in English is required.

This position will be contingent on the outcome of the bid.

Safety & Security Situation: All staff must comply with all IRC South Sudan by security policies and procedures. 

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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