Consultant - PlayMatters Ethiopia Implementation Research Principal Investigator

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. 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. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

Job Overview/Summary: 

PlayMatters (PM) is a four-year education initiative running from July 2026 to June 2030, designed to improve the well-being and holistic learning outcomes of Pre-primary and Primary school-aged children (ages 3–12+). The program focuses particularly on children affected by conflict and crisis in Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Uganda. Its central strategy is to strengthen education system so they can deliver quality services through active teaching and learning methods rooted in play. PM emphasizes resilience and sustainability by working with and through existing systems to scale impact. 

The initiative is structured around three main outcomes. Outcome 1 aims to increase the capacity, uptake, and coordination of Learning through Play (LtP) as a recognized teaching method within education systems. Outcome 2 focuses on ensuring that school-aged children in refugee-hosting and post-crisis recovery zones have greater access to quality learning opportunities in safe environments. A core component of this outcome is assessing the quality and fidelity of implementation, as well as monitoring changes in target outcomes, to refine program delivery and strengthen advocacy for Outcome 1. Finally, Outcome 3 seeks to protect children’s holistic development during times of acute crisis, ensuring that their learning and well-being are safeguarded even in the most challenging circumstances. By prioritizing system resilience, fidelity of implementation, and evidence-driven advocacy, PlayMatters positions itself as a transformative initiative that not only improves immediate learning outcomes but also builds long-term capacity for education systems in crisis-affected regions. 

Under the supervision of the Senior RMEAL Manager, PlayMatters, in collaboration with IRC’s Airbel Impact Lab’s Director of Education Research and with technical support from the Regional Research & Learning Coordinator for PlayMatters and Plan International Ethiopia’s MEAL Manager, the Principal Investigator will co-lead an implementation research study with the IRC’s Director of Education Research. The role involves securing ethical approvals, conducting research, managing research partnerships, analyzing data, and disseminating findings nationally. The successful candidate should have over a decade of experience conducting implementation research on education programs in challenging contexts with a track record of national and subnational policy influencing, strong statistical analysis skills, and good command of the written English language.

This role will be based in Addis Ababa with travel requirements to field for data collection.

Major Responsibilities:

• Lead the national-level implementation research study.
• Obtain national IRB approval.
• Build and maintain key relationships for ethical research.
• Oversee data collection, quality assurance, and longitudinal analysis.
• Produce baseline, midline, and endline reports with cleaned datasets.
• Develop manuscripts for peer-reviewed journal submission.
• Disseminate findings at local and national levels.

Key Deliverables

• National IRB Approval
• Baseline Report along with Cleaned Baseline dataset
• Midline Report along with Cleaned Midline dataset
• Endline Report along with Cleaned Endline dataset and combined dataset
• Develop manuscript for journal submission

Safeguarding Responsibilities: - 

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Educational Requirements:

• Doctorate degree (PhD/EdD) in education, child psychology, statistics, or related field

Preferred experience & skills: 

• At least 10 years of experience in conducting research on education, foundational learning, girls’ education, and education in emergencies programs
• Experience with mixed-methods implementation research and qualitative research methods is a plus. 
• Strong statistical skills is a must, including use of multi-level modeling, causal inference methods such as experimental and quasi-experimental designs. Knowledge of psychometrics is highly desirable. 
• Experience with Stata, preferred
• Experience with Dedoose, a plus
• Proven track record of publication in per reviewed journals.

Language Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication in English.

Certificate and License

• Renewed business license.

How To Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site:  https://theirc.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/External_Careers/job/Consultant---PlayMatters-Ethiopia-Implementation-Research-Principal-Investigator_JR00003750

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

IRC is an equal employment 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 or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Professional Standards: 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 Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

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