Job Title: Project and Grants Volunteer Sector: Grants Employment Category: Regular Employment Type: Full-Time Open to Expatriates: No Location: Kampala, Uganda Job Description Background/IRC Summary: 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 reaches over a million children annually with education and child protection programs in 25 countries around the world. PlayMatters is a US $100M investment, led by the IRC, which aims to reimagine childhood for 800,000 children across Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania through play-based learning. Now in its third year, the project is re-defining education and cultivate a generation of lifelong learners. PlayMatters is inspired by LEGO Foundation’s call to challenge the status quo and offer children the quality education they deserve. PlayMatters is being delivered by a diverse consortium with a track record of thinking and delivering differently. We bring three distinct characteristics: OUTCOMES. Everything we do is fueled by the social, emotional, cognitive, physical, creative and resilience outcomes we seek. We know learning happens when children are at the center and teachers, parents and the system surrounding them embrace children’s agency and have not only skills and resources, but the motivation to drive change. RESEARCH AND LEARNING. Effective delivery requires both rigor and a big heart. With LEGO Foundation, PlayMatters will generate scientific evidence that can transform our understanding of play and learning for refugees in East Africa and around the world. THOUGHT LEADERSHIP. The LEGO Foundation Humanitarian Initiative offers an opportunity to deliver and comes with the responsibility to lead. Our consortium’s members have a record of mobilizing others. More information on PlayMatters can be found here: https://www.playmatters.org Job Overview/Scope of Work: As part of the IRC’s PlayMatters Regional Project Team (RPT), the Kampala-based Project & Grants Volunteer is responsible for assisting in both grants management, coordination, materials development, and maintaining institutional memory for the project. The Grants, Partnerships, & Coordination Department acts as both an external liaison to donors and partners, and an internal liaison between fields, country, and HQ-level staff, as well as between various departments (Programs, Logistics, Finance, and HR). Furthermore, the Project & Grants Volunteer- PlayMatters is asked to assist other program staff as needed in a variety of tasks, such as developing key communication materials and project tracker, to attending and documenting key coordination meetings. This is an excellent opportunity for persons interested in learning about humanitarian assistance, education programming, and grants and project management. This position reports to the Senior Regional Project & Partnerships Coordinator- PlayMatters. Responsibilities: Grants Management: Assist Grants, Partnership & Coordination Department to maintain accurate records of grants files in both hard and soft copy; Maintain grants management tools and Support partner Anti-Terrorism Compliance and vetting processes. Report Review: Send timely reminders to country teams to ensure adherence to reporting schedules; Support the tracking of report submissions and Assist in direct review as requested; Grants Meetings: Coordinate project review meetings, budget vs. actual meetings, etc.; Take minutes and follow-up on action points for such meetings. Administration support: making travel and logistics arrangements, anticipate needed supplies/procurements. Grants Monitoring: Support the drafting of monitoring schedules; support in-county monitoring field travel plans and logistics; Drafting/ tracking monitoring reports Publications: Lead drafting of bi-weekly internal newsletter; Update and create fact sheets as needed; support in the development of the Project’s Quarter and Annual Report. Special Project: Design and implement a project that both matches your interests and provides a needed service within the PlayMatters RPT. The project should be implemented during the contract period (06 months). Collaboration: Promote constructive, collegial teamwork between programming staff and operational support staff in execution of project. Leadership Support: Support RPT SMT with coordination and administration as necessary, including setting up, developing agendas, documenting, and distributing/following up on action points for key discussions. Information/Resources: Research and be informed about programmatic issues, as well as security and political developments in the region. Support in ensuring donor and RPT remains up to date on any developments which may impact implementation. Ad-hoc: Assist in any other tasks requested by RPT staff Qualifications Qualifications: Minimum education qualification of an Advance Degree (UACE Uganda Examinations/A’Level or it’s equivalent). A Diploma or Bachelor’s degree will be an added advantage. Demonstrated strong writing and revision skills (both in terms of content structuring and copy-editing). Demonstrated strong computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel), Outlook, Internet (browsers and Skype), PDF manipulation Positive, helpful attitude and willingness to learn new skills is essential. Must be excellent coordinator and great teammate; this role collaborates across department and ability to influence colleagues, often without line management. Exceptional organizational skills. Ability to successfully work in a fast-paced environment and complete work independently, while developing positive relationships with locally and remote based staff Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills. Self-directed, able to independently set priorities and solve problems with minimal guidance Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Working Environment: • Standard office work environment • Travel may be required, up to 10% • Position is based in the IRC PlayMatters Regional Office- Kampala, Uganda Application Requirements: In your application, please provide the following documents: • Cover letter, clearly explaining your motivation for wanting to work for the IRC in the Program & Grants Volunteer- PlayMatters position and stating start date availability • Résumé, listing only relevant information that demonstrates experience in critical writing and reviewing, publication design, and working in teams Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation. NB: Deadline for receiving applications is 17th July, 2023