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.

  • Description

  • Background/IRC Summary: The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 28 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.

    Position Summary:

    IRC is seeking an RMEAL Manager (PlayMatters) for the implementation of PlayMatters 3.0 (PM3.0), a multi-year initiative funded by the LEGO Foundation. PM3.0 in South Sudan adopts a system-strengthening, learning through Play (LtP) approach to improve access to safe, inclusive, and quality learning for children in crisis-affected and recovery contexts. The programme focuses on strengthening education system’s capacity for uptake and institutionalization of LtP, while expanding access to joyful, inclusive learning opportunities for children in both humanitarian and development settings. Implementation is delivered through a consortium led by IRC, in partnership with War Child Alliance and Plan International, working closely with national and sub-national education actors. More information on PlayMatters can be found here: https://www.playmatters.org

    The RMEAL Manager will provide be responsible for ensuring that IRC South Sudan meets its Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (RMEAL) commitments for the PlayMatters project in the respective location. S/he will support design, manage implementation, and ensure compliance to RMEAL systems, policies, and procedures. The position holder will facilitate and manage the roll-out and implementation of the project RMEAL activities, coordinate data collection and performance reporting within the location, ensure accountability to stakeholders and clients and build strong relationships and support the project team at field level to understand and contribute appropriately to the RMEAL functions. S/he will work in coordination with the field project team to ensure that RMEAL is integral to project implementation and leads to greater quality and accountability for the project.

    RESPONSIBILITIES:

    RMEAL Systems Leadership and Implementation

  • Lead the design, roll-out, and implementation of RMEAL systems at field level, ensuring alignment with PlayMatters 3.0 frameworks, IRC standards, and donor requirements.
  • Orient project staff, partners, and stakeholders on RMEAL tools, systems, and roles and responsibilities, ensuring clarity and accountability.
  • Participate in the development, field testing, and contextual adaptation of RMEAL tools and methodologies, ensuring relevance to the South Sudan context.
  • Ensure consistent use of standardised data collection, management, and reporting systems (including digital tools where applicable).
  • Identify bottlenecks in programme implementation and RMEAL systems, propose solutions, and follow through on agreed corrective actions.
  • Coordinate and provide direct supervision coaching and performance management of PM 3.0 RMEAL staff.

  • Research and Evidence Generation

  • Lead and coordinate implementation research activities under PM3.0, including design, planning, data collection, analysis, and dissemination in collaboration with technical teams, regional research team and external partners.
  • Support the integration of research findings into programme design and adaptive management, ensuring evidence-informed decision-making.
  • Coordinate baseline, midline, and endline assessments, as well as other studies such as learning assessments, evaluations, and research.
  • Contribute to the development of research tools, protocols, and ethical compliance processes, including engagement with national systems (e.g., MoGEI, NBS).
  • Facilitate documentation and dissemination of research outputs, case studies, and learning products to inform policy dialogue and scale-up of Learning through Play (LtP).

  • Monitoring, Data Management, and Adaptive Programming

  • Work closely with project teams to collect, collate, analyse, and interpret programme data to track progress against indicators and targets.
  • Support teams to use data for decision-making, including identifying trends, improving implementation quality, and informing course correction.
  • Ensure quality assurance through Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), routine monitoring, and verification processes.
  • Develop and maintain trackers and dashboards (e.g., output trackers, complaints/feedback trackers, learning trackers) to strengthen performance monitoring.

  • Accountability and Learning

  • Ensure effective implementation of Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) systems, including feedback collection, analysis, and response mechanisms.
  • Coordinate and facilitate learning and reflection processes, including After-Action Reviews (AARs), partner review meetings, and bi-annual learning sessions.
  • Lead documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and success stories, ensuring systematic knowledge management and sharing.
  • Promote a culture of continuous learning and improvement across project teams and partners.

  • Reporting and Knowledge Management

  • Coordinate preparation of timely and high-quality RMEAL inputs for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
  • Track country office and donor reporting requirements and deadlines, ensuring submission of accurate and complete RMEAL data.
  • Support dissemination of reports, findings, and learning outputs at field, national, and consortium levels.
  • Ensure proper documentation, filing, and accessibility of RMEAL data and reports.

  • Capacity Strengthening and Team Management

  • Provide technical supervision, coaching, and performance management for RMEAL staff.
  • Lead capacity strengthening initiatives for project staff, partners, and stakeholders on RMEAL systems, tools, and data use.
  • Support integration of RMEAL across all workstreams, ensuring teams understand and contribute effectively to monitoring, research, and learning functions.

  • Coordination and Representation

  • Lead consortium-level RMEAL coordination, ensuring harmonisation of tools, indicators, and reporting across partners.
  • Represent RMEAL functions in internal, inter-departmental, and external coordination forums, including sector working groups and technical platforms.
  • Collaborate with technical, programme, and operations teams to ensure RMEAL is fully integrated into programme planning and implementation.

  • Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Economics, Demography, Public Health, Social Sciences, Data Science, or a related field relevant to RMEAL and research; a postgraduate qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation, Research Methods, Project Management, or Data Management is an added advantage.
  • Minimum of 3–5 years of progressively responsible experience in RMEAL within humanitarian and/or development contexts, preferably with an international NGO; experience in education programmes and/or Education in Emergencies (EiE) is highly desirable.
  • Demonstrated experience in designing, implementing, and managing RMEAL systems, including indicator development, data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and reporting.
  • Proven experience in research and evaluation, including supporting or leading baseline, midline, and endline studies, learning assessments (e.g., EGRA/EGMA), or implementation and impact research in Education.
  • Strong skills in data management and analysis, with experience using digital data systems and tools such as CommCare, Power BI, Excel, Kobo, ODK, Tableau, or similar platforms.
  • Experience in data visualisation, dashboard development, and translating data into actionable insights for programme improvement and decision-making.
  • Familiarity with Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) approaches, feedback mechanisms, and participatory monitoring processes.
  • Experience working in multi-partner or consortium programmes, with ability to coordinate and harmonise RMEAL approaches across partners.
  • Strong analytical, problem-solving, and organisational skills, with attention to detail and ability to manage multiple priorities.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, including report writing and presentation of findings.
  • Ability and willingness to travel to field locations and support teams in complex and fragile environments.

  • Reports to:  Project Team Lead and IRC Technical Coordinator – MEAL.

    Working Environment: The RMEAL Manager (PlayMatters) will be based in the IRC Juba Office and rove across project implementation locations and will be provided with regular administrative and logistics support to perform his/her responsibilities.

    IRC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

    The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional 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, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

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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