International Rescue Committee (IRC) is hiring a Project Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is looking for a Project Coordinator to oversee the management and implementation of the 'Scaling the Last Mile Delivery of Immunization Services' project in Ethiopia. This role is central to deploying Indigo Backpack cold chain technology to strengthen vaccine delivery in remote areas, requiring coordination with government and key partners.

What You'll Do

• Lead day-to-day coordination and execution of project activities according to approved plans and donor requirements.
• Ensure delivery of project milestones across three key outcomes: evidence generation, roadmap development, and foundational capacity building.
• Coordinate the timely procurement, importation, and deployment of Indigo Backpacks with IRC Supply Chain and government counterparts.
• Collaborate with the Ministry of Health (MoH) on site selection, distribution planning, deployment, and joint post-deployment assessments.
• Monitor progress against deliverables, ensure timeline compliance, and produce high-quality reports.
• Organize and facilitate launching, co-creation, validation, and dissemination workshops with MoH, EPHI, donors, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain comprehensive project records, meeting minutes, and decision logs.
• Conduct periodic field visits to monitor outreach services using the Indigo device.
• Serve as the focal point for communication with MoH (EPI), EFDA, EPSS, EPHI, regional health bureaus, and research partners.
• Work closely within existing platforms, mainly E-NITAG, for co-creation, monitoring, and result dissemination.
• Facilitate regular coordination meetings to ensure alignment between government and implementing partners.
• Liaise with contracted research institutions to synchronize study design, timelines, and deliverables.
• Oversee the preparation and approval of Terms of Reference, study protocols, and ethics submissions.
• Coordinate and oversee project-related operational research, market analyses, and cost-effectiveness assessments.
• Establish quality assurance mechanisms for data integrity, study implementation, and partner deliverables.
• Oversee the translation of research findings into national immunization strategies and MoH operational guidelines.
• Provide technical support to MoH for pilot deployment with a clear transition plan to MoH ownership.
• Facilitate the dissemination of study results through policy briefs, technical forums, and publications.
• Collaborate with Finance and Grants teams to ensure budget utilization, compliance, and proper expenditure documentation.
• Support budget tracking, forecasting, and periodic expenditure reviews for financial accountability.
• Contribute to timely donor reports and ensure linkages between financial and technical progress.
• Coordinate with the MEAL Manager and research partners to ensure data quality, timely submission, and documentation.
• Contribute to the development of project dashboards, performance summaries, and learning reports.
• Participate in data review meetings and contribute to adaptive management decisions.
• Document key learnings, challenges, and best practices to inform future scale-up.
• Support the implementation of client feedback and accountability mechanisms per IRC standards.
• Identify potential project delivery risks and propose mitigation measures.
• Ensure adherence to IRC policies, donor regulations, and national research ethics.
• Maintain project risk logs and ensure systematic follow-up on mitigation actions.
• Promote and actively participate in initiatives to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion.
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and promote IRC values.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Nursing, Medicine, or a related field.
• Fluency in English and Amharic (written and spoken).

Nice to Have

• Master’s degree in public health or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years (with BSc) or 4 years (with MPH/MSc) of progressive experience in project coordination within international NGOs, preferably in cold chain, vaccine management, and immunization programs.
• Demonstrated experience in immunization systems strengthening, effective vaccine and cold chain management, or implementation research.
• Proven record coordinating multi-partner initiatives, supervising field teams, and managing logistics for large-scale health interventions.
• Strong background in project planning, reporting, monitoring, and partnership management.
• Experience working with Ministry of Health structures, its agencies, research institutions, and international partners on donor-funded projects (e.g., Gavi, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, USAID).
• In-depth understanding of Ethiopia’s national EPI system, vaccine and cold chain logistics, and health system structure.
• Familiarity with government procedures for import licensing and project coordination.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time-management skills with the ability to prioritize and deliver on time.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and report-writing abilities.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with project management tools.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively within diverse, cross-functional teams and manage change proactively.
• Knowledge of additional local languages is an asset.

Technical Stack

• MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management tools

Team & Environment

You will collaborate internally with the Health and Nutrition Coordinator, RMEAL Manager, Gavi REACH and other immunization projects, Grants, Finance, Supply Chain, Partnerships Teams, and HR.

Work Mode

This position is based locally in Ethiopia.

The IRC is an equal 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.