Product Management Officer (For Internal Candidates Only)

Early Childhood Development and Digital Programming

High-quality Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs provide the foundation for children’s future academic success, health, prosperity and wellbeing. A large body of scientific evidence emphasizes the need for increased investment in early childhood, particularly for children experiencing conflict, crisis and displacement; these children are extremely vulnerable to the long-lasting effects that prolonged stress has on the developing brain. With the generous support of the MacArthur Foundation’s inaugural 100&Change grant, the LEGO Foundation and the Bezos Foundation, the IRC and Sesame Workshop have partnered to provide quality early childhood development programs for refugee and host communities in the countries affected by the Syrian refugee crisis in the Middle East. Focusing on children in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria over the course of five years, the Ahlan Simsim, Play to Learn and Vroom projects combine a depth of in-person activities and digital content, aiming to reach 1.5 million children and caregivers across the region.

Digital programming is a growing area of focus for Ahlan Simsim. To support the continued development and delivery of its digital educational products, Ahlan Simsim is seeking a Product Management Officer. This position will play an important support role in ensuring that digital products are well-organized, meet user needs, and are effectively coordinated across different teams. The Product Management Officer will work closely with product leads, developers, content creators, and marketing teams to help manage product timelines, organize digital content, track progress, and maintain accurate documentation. They will assist with product planning, testing, and the implementation of updates based on user feedback. The role also includes monitoring product performance, supporting agile workflows, and helping ensure smooth team coordination.

Product Management Officer - Ahlan Simsim Digital Programming:

The Product Management Officer will assist in developing and managing existing and new Ahlan Simsim digital technology products, working closely with cross-functional teams, and gaining valuable experience in a dynamic, international NGO setting.

Main Responsibilities:

1.Agile Project Management & Scrum Leadership

·Facilitate daily scrum meetings with developers, ensuring smooth coordination and problem-solving.

·Manage and prioritize the product backlog, ensuring JIRA tickets are well-defined and aligned with sprint goals.

·Write, update, and track all JIRA tickets, ensuring timely execution and accurate documentation.

·Conduct quality assurance (QA) checks for completed tasks before marking them as "Done."

·Identify and proactively solve technical and operational challenges to keep projects on track.

2.Content Tracking & Organization

·Track and manage digital content assets, ensuring proper organization and version control.

·Upload and maintain content in Box and the Content Management System (CMS) for seamless access.

·Coordinate with content creators and technical teams to ensure timely updates and proper integration.

3.Product Monitoring & Budget Tracking

·Track and report on project progress, ensuring alignment with roadmap milestones and deliverables.

·Monitor budget spending, ensuring efficient resource allocation and flagging discrepancies.

·Provide regular performance reports, identifying areas for optimization.

4.Market Research & Competitive Analysis

·Conduct app market research, analyzing trends, competitor products, and user behavior.

·Track app store performance and identify opportunities for feature enhancements and engagement improvements.

5.User Testing & Feedback Integration

·Plan, coordinate, and execute user testing sessions, ensuring structured data collection.

·Document and analyze user feedback, translating insights into actionable improvements.

·Work closely with developers to ensure user feedback is effectively integrated into product updates.

6.Social Media Management & Community Engagement

·Schedule and publish content across social media platforms, ensuring consistency and accuracy.

·Monitor engagement metrics and community interactions, responding to user inquiries and feedback.

·Manage and moderate online communities, fostering a positive and engaging environment.

·Coordinate with content teams to ensure social media campaigns align with product updates and launches.

7.Cross-Team Coordination & Problem-Solving

·Act as a liaison between technical, content, research, and marketing teams, ensuring smooth collaboration.

·Proactively identify and resolve roadblocks to keep projects on schedule.

·Maintain clear documentation of workflows, decisions, and key updates for transparency.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Technical Lead for Content and Delivery, Ahlan Simsim

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

• Internal: ECD staff (regional and countries’ teams), Technical Advisors (region and HQ based), IRC support staff;
• External: Vendors and consultants