Literacy Program Officer

Job Description

Literacy Program Officer, Technical

Organization Profile:

Room to Read is a global organization transforming the lives of millions of children in low-income countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, our innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools in low-income countries during two time periods which are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. By focusing on the quality of education provided within the communities and ensuring these outcomes are measured, we have created a model that can be replicated, localized and sustained by governments. Room to Read has benefited 10 million children across 17,000 communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam and Zambia, and aims to reach 15 million children by 2020.

Position Overview:

The Literacy Program Field Officer -Technical is responsible for serving as the technical expert in the field on literacy skills and the habit of reading. This position will involve frequent travel to project sites as well as regular interaction with Room to Read’s Literacy Facilitators, Library Management Facilitators, and partners.  This position also requires strong communication and coordination with the Literacy Program Field Operations Officer, who is responsible for managing the implementation of the Literacy program for a set of schools. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Management, Implementation, Training and Coordination

• Serves as the technical expert in the field on literacy skills and the habit of reading, and coordinates closely with the IDTS Unit and ensures that the program design has been implemented effectively in the field.
• Provides constructive feedbacks on program design on how well it is working.
• Responsible for technical oversight of Literacy Facilitators (“LFs”) and Library Management Facilitators (“LMFs”), ensuring their ongoing professional development and support to ensure they are able to effectively support teachers and librarians in their implementation of the program.
• Assists in coordinating, conducting and facilitating training workshops activities for teachers, librarians and principals on activities promoting literacy and library development.
• Provides feedback on quality reading materials used in classrooms and libraries to promote skills and the habit of reading.
• Assesses quality of training design and delivery and suggests improvements.
• Makes regular visits to project sites to support, coach and deliver trainings to the Literacy Facilitators and Library Management Facilitators.
• Participates in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.

Planning, Reporting and Documentation

• Assists in developing the annual plan and budget for the assigned geographical area in line with the guidance provided by the ROGO.
• Assists in reviewing the progress of implementation calendar, budget, annual plan,  periodic program review, and overall tracking of program implementation and spending.
• Prepares and review program reports and responds as necessary.
• Provides information to the IDTS Program Manager to assist in development of curriculum and materials for teachers’ and principals’ literacy and library trainings.
• Documents best practices and lessons learned during field work and shares with relevant Literacy program staff.
• Supports annual, quarterly and monthly planning and reporting activities as needed.

External Coordination and Networking

• Develops strong relationship with DEO, Partner and other local level stakeholders and ensures that they support the program of RtR.
• Represents Room to Read in different forums and advocates for the importance of reading and need for libraries for children.

Qualifications:

Required:

• University degree in Education, Social development, or other related field
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of teaching methodologies, curriculum and teacher training at the primary stage
• Minimum of 5 years’ related work experience
• Good command of English (both written and oral)
• Experience developing and delivering teacher trainings
• Good interpersonal skills and a team player
• Proven ability to build the capacity of others to achieve desired outcomes
• Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
• Ability and desire to travel frequently
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education or related field
• Experience teaching at the primary stage
• Experience working with rural communities
• Experience in library management
• Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
• Prior track record of achieving results in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization

To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker that tries new things and inspires others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Compensation:

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits; benefits including 13^thmonth bonus, provident fund, health and accidental insurances for staff and their family; leaves and staff professional development. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing, transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.

Application Procedure:

Please send a cover letter and resume by email, with “Literacy Program Officer-Technical” in the subject line, (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to nepal.hiring@roomroread.org .  Due to high applicant volume, we regret that we are not able to send personalized responses to all applicants.  Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

This Job is expired. The Company is no longer accepting applications for this position.