International Rescue Committee (IRC) is Seeking a Regional Policy and Advocacy Advisor – Apply By 17 June 2026

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) continues to strengthen its commitment to transforming education in humanitarian and crisis-affected communities through the innovative PlayMatters initiative. The recently announced position for a Regional Policy and Advocacy Advisor based in Kampala, Uganda, represents a significant opportunity for professionals passionate about education policy, child development, and humanitarian advocacy.

This role sits at the heart of a regional education transformation strategy designed to improve learning outcomes for children across East Africa.

Understanding the PlayMatters Initiative

PlayMatters Phase 3 is a four-year education program running from 2026 to 2030. The initiative focuses on improving the well-being and holistic development of children aged 3 to 12 in:

• Uganda
• Ethiopia
• South Sudan

The project prioritizes children affected by:

• Conflict
• Displacement
• Humanitarian crises
• Fragile education systems

The initiative promotes Learning through Play (LtP) as an educational methodology designed to improve engagement, creativity, emotional development, and long-term learning outcomes.

Key objectives of the PlayMatters program include:

• Strengthening national education systems
• Improving access to safe learning environments
• Enhancing resilience in crisis situations
• Supporting holistic child development
• Integrating innovative teaching approaches into public education systems

The Strategic Importance of the Policy and Advocacy Advisor Position

The Regional Policy and Advocacy Advisor will play a central role in influencing educational policy and increasing awareness around the developmental needs of children living in crisis-affected settings.

The position reports directly to the Deputy Project Director and operates from Kampala, Uganda, serving as a regional coordination hub for policy and advocacy efforts.

Core responsibilities include:

• Designing regional advocacy strategies
• Engaging ministries and education stakeholders
• Influencing donor priorities
• Promoting learning-through-play methodologies
• Coordinating communication efforts across partner organizations
• Supporting the integration of multimedia educational content into government systems

This role also ensures alignment between regional education programming and the IRC’s broader global education strategy.

Key Responsibilities of the Role

The Regional Policy and Advocacy Advisor will oversee several critical functions that contribute to the success of PlayMatters.

Policy and Advocacy Strategy Development

The advisor will:

• Conduct stakeholder analysis and power mapping
• Identify strategic advocacy opportunities
• Engage humanitarian coordination groups
• Influence policy decision-makers
• Promote educational innovation

The role emphasizes collaboration with:

• Government ministries
• Donor agencies
• Humanitarian clusters
• Civil society organizations
• International development partners

Communications and Public Engagement

Strong communication strategies are essential to increasing visibility for education-focused humanitarian interventions.

Responsibilities include:

• Creating compelling digital and print advocacy materials
• Developing multimedia campaigns
• Organizing presentations and policy discussions
• Managing strategic communication updates
• Supporting public awareness campaigns around child education

The advisor will also help position PlayMatters as a leading example of innovative education programming in humanitarian contexts.

Capacity Building and Internal Coordination

The role includes supporting organizational learning and staff development through:

• Advocacy training workshops
• Stakeholder engagement sessions
• Internal strategy meetings
• Cross-functional collaboration

The advisor will work closely with technical teams, research units, and monitoring and evaluation specialists to ensure evidence-based advocacy approaches.

Qualifications and Skills Required

The IRC seeks experienced professionals with strong backgrounds in education, policy, or humanitarian advocacy.

Preferred qualifications include:

• A Master’s degree in education, psychology, public policy, or related fields
• At least five years of experience in policy or advocacy work
• Knowledge of humanitarian education systems
• Strong understanding of early childhood development
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Additional competencies include:

• Strategic thinking
• Workshop facilitation
• Stakeholder relationship management
• Proposal and report writing
• Problem-solving abilities
• Organizational leadership

Candidates must also demonstrate the ability to work independently while coordinating with globally distributed teams.

Why the Role Matters in Humanitarian Education

Education remains one of the most underfunded sectors in humanitarian response despite its critical role in protecting children during crises. Through PlayMatters, the IRC and its partners aim to reshape how education is delivered in fragile settings.

Learning through play has become increasingly recognized for its ability to:

• Improve emotional resilience
• Increase classroom participation
• Enhance cognitive development
• Support social and emotional learning
• Strengthen long-term educational outcomes

The Regional Policy and Advocacy Advisor will help elevate these approaches at both regional and global policy levels.

Why Professionals Are Drawn to the IRC

The IRC is globally recognized for its humanitarian impact and commitment to innovation. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the organization operates in more than 40 countries worldwide.

Professionals joining the IRC benefit from:

• Purpose-driven work
• International collaboration opportunities
• Continuous professional development
• Exposure to global humanitarian initiatives
• Diverse and inclusive workplace environments

The organization emphasizes integrity, accountability, equality, and service in all aspects of its operations.

Final Thoughts

The Regional Policy and Advocacy Advisor position offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of education in crisis-affected regions across East Africa. By supporting policy reform, strengthening educational systems, and promoting innovative learning methods, the role contributes directly to improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children.

For professionals passionate about humanitarian advocacy, education reform, and child development, this opportunity represents a meaningful platform for regional and global impact.

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE TO APPLY

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.