Senior Training and Implementation Manager

 ‘PlayMatters’ is a consortium project, led by the IRC and includes Plan International, War Child Holland, Behavioral Insights Team, and Innovations for Poverty Action in partnership with the LEGO Foundation.

The PlayMatters project seeks to improve holistic learning and wellbeing outcomes for 200,000 refugee and host community learners aged 3-12 in Ethiopia. PlayMatters promotes an active teaching method that capitalizes on a child’s natural desire to engage in learning through play (LtP), focusing on building skills so that teachers and communities to intentionally plan to deliver contextually and age-appropriate guided play experiences to achieve specific learning objectives.

PlayMatters focuses on building skills for preprimary and primary teachers by delivering quality teachers training on LtP methods and practices, capacitating school principals and head teachers to lead school based continues professional development activities through coaching and mentoring, including peer learning mechanisms. Furthermore, the project works closely with school management to create a positive learning environment by engaging community members to create a linkage between school and community through relevant awareness- raising mobilization initiatives. In addition, PlayMatters seeks to create a safe and inclusive learning environment that enhances children’s creativity and wellbeing. PlayMatters generates scientific evidence that can transform our understanding of play and learning for refugees and host community children in Ethiopia.

Job Overview:

The Senior Training and Implementation Managerwill be responsible for developing/ revising training content and quality delivery for teachers’ trainings, ToTs, teachers, School leaders, PTSA and parents on LtP in consideration of crosscutting concepts including Behavioral change communication, Gender, inclusion, and wellbeing.  The incumbent will also lead the school community activities to support the LtP activities concurrent to contextually relevant awareness raising mobilization initiatives and capacity building for SMC/CMC/PTAs to build a positive school environment by engaging school communities in LtP.  In doing so, the Senior Training and Implementation Manager will ensure the type of engagement in design and Implementation necessary to achieve joint priorities and objectives of providing play-based learning opportunities for all children.

The Senior Training and Implementation Manager will report to the country level senior project Manager and work closely with the PM regional technical advisors.

Major Responsibilities:

The job holder is responsible for:

Training Materials Development/revision

• Training needs in collaboration with RMEL by conducting needs assessments and analyzing performance data from earlier training.
• Co-designing/co-revision of LtP training materials for ToTs, teachers, TCPD leaders, PTSA and community leaders, PlayAmbassadors and guidelines for community events including back to school campaigns, PlayEvents and celebrations that are aligned with the PlayMatters objectives and Core Packages. This may include creating training materials, identifying training methodologies, and selecting appropriate delivery methods.
• Collaborate with MEL and regional technical team to update monitoring and Implementation tools including classroom observation and QA tools.
• ensuring all necessary training materials are ready, translated and validated by relevant system actors and approved/signed off by Regional team before training delivery.
• continuously improving training programs by incorporating new methods, technologies, and best practices to ensure training is relevant and effective.
• collaborates with managers, subject matter experts, and other stakeholders to ensure that training programs are aligned with PlayMatters project objectives and goals.
• Collaborate with BCC to update key messages and communications materials on play-based learning to reflect the Ethiopian context targeting refugees and host communities and continue updating  as the context evolves.

Quality Training delivery

• Delivering face-to-face training for different target groups and different target locations, ensuring that the trainings are relevant, engaging, and effective.
• Managing training resources such as training facilities, equipment, and materials ensuring that relevant resources are available when needed and are effectively utilized.
• Collaborate with MEL to evaluate the effectiveness of training programs by conducting pre- and post-training assessments, After Action Review,  analyzing performance data, and seeking feedback from participants and stakeholders.
• Support other LEGO-funded projects in providing training on LtP in the community and other related topics when needed.

Project Implementation

• Oversee and follow up with field implementation teams to ensure the uptake of LtP methodologies  at classroom, school, and school community level at large..
• Regularly train field-level project staff on LtP in the community and conduct a regular training needs assessment for field-level project teams.
• Conduct regular supportive supervision to project locations to ensure project activities are being delivered timely and with the required quality.
• Hold regular and frequent meetings with the field-level project team virtually or in-person to monitor progress and identify strengths and challenges in the implementation of partnership and community engagement components of the project.

Skills required:

• Being a high-profile Training and Implementation Manager requires a unique set of skills, including:
• Strong Communication Skills:  must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently with PM regional, consortium members and country office PM team members. At the same coin with trainees and stakeholders. The job holder must be able to present ideas, concepts, and training materials in a clear and concise manner that is easily understandable to others.
• Leadership and Management Skills: must be able to lead and manage a team at the country and field office and ensure that they are delivering high-quality teachers, school leaders and community engagement activities that meet the PM core package and objectives.
• Analytical Skills: must be able to analyze training needs and revise and deliver effective Training and project implementation that address the project core packages.
• Planning and Organizational Skills: must be able to plan and organize Training and activity deliveries effectively, from scheduling training sessions to developing training materials and resources.
• Technical Skills: must be comfortable with different project activity delivery and technology and be able to use training tools and online formats and deliver training programs.
• Flexibility and Adaptability: must be able to adapt to changing circumstances, such as new approaches to LtP or changes in the Training and project activity deliveries and adjust training programs accordingly.
• Interpersonal Skills: must be able to build strong relationships with PM regional advisors, Country and field level PM team, management, and stakeholders and be able to work collaboratively with them to achieve project goal
• Coaching and Mentoring Skills: must be able to coach and mentor PM team to help them develop their skills and deliver learning through play activities to the highest quality