Program Associate - Literacy

Job Description

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

This position will work under the guidance and direction of the Program Officer-QRM. The Program Associate -QRM will assist the Program Officer-QRM in the process of developing children's books from QRM Program of Room to Read in Nepal ensuring the quality of children's books in coordination with IDTS Unit and Curriculum Development Centre/Ministry of Education and other relevant organizations. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Assist the PO to organize and oversee the complete process of publishing Room to Read’s (RtR) reading and learning material in Nepal. This involves: sourcing local authors and illustrators, advising on story development, reviewing, editing, securing copy rights and ISBN codes, obtaining government approval, sending to print, etc.
• Assist PO to prepare cost of books and materials, preparation of annual budget and programs and track the expenses as approved plan.
• Assist PO to undertake program activities with consultants/writers/illustrators required to produce original, high quality content that is appropriate for target age groups, suitable for the local cultural context and functional as a tool for education.
• Assist the PO to facilitate dialogues between authors, translators and illustrators; ensure attention to detail and steer efforts towards shared vision of a final product
• Help the PO to facilitate and conduct writer’s and illustrator’s workshops and training programs as per need in different districts of Nepal to build capacity of new children’s writers and source new manuscripts to be published by Room to Read that are locally and culturally relevant and developmentally appropriate.
• Compile and enter GSD Data.
• Assist the PO in field testing of all the manuscripts before sending them to press for printing and monitor the progress.
• Assist PO to get printed LLP books and materials in times and ensure quality in printing and timely delivery of the books to RtR’s warehouse.
• Work with IDTS Unit and Admin (warehouse) team to effectively manage and ensure distribution of QRM books to schools and maintain records of distribution of books and materials.
• Visit the project district as need to find out the status of QRM books and materials in Libraries and prepare field report.
• Assist the PO-QRM for preparing monthly and quarterly reports of QRM.
• Assist in documenting best practices of case studies of QRM.
• Stay informed about Nepal’s children’s book publishing industry, investigating major children’s book publishers and local market demand.
• Assist PO-QRM to identify the gaps in children publication
• Assist PO-QRM to insure ideal book collection
• Assist PO-QRM in contextualize the global package which includes but are not limited to:
• Writer workshop model
• Illustrator workshop model
• QRM manual
• Translate the writers and illustrator’s bios, and story text from Nepali to English
• Track changes in market trends with respect to content, format, types, age/grade levels, themes, languages (bi-lingual and/or minority languages) etc., and use this information to evaluate and inform Room to Read’s publishing initiatives.
• Build partnerships with organizations and associations involved with children’s books (NGOs involved with content development, writers groups, creative writing departments of universities, etc.) with the goal of becoming a key player in this community.
• Undertake any other activities related to QRM work as directed by PO-QRM.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in any discipline with at least two years’ experience in the field of publication 
• Experience in children’s literature/reading material development with focus on language skill development
• Proficiency in Nepali & English language; understanding of graphic design would be preferred
• Possessing background of proficiency in teaching methodologies, community involvement and Nepali Curriculum Development will be an added value
• High energy level, comfortable performing multifaceted projects in conjunction with day-to-day activities,
• Superior interpersonal abilities. Ability to get along with diverse personalities, tactful, mature, flexible
• Good reasoning abilities, Sound judgment
• Good communication skills,
• Resourceful and well organized
• Participative management style-advocate of team concept
• Ability to establish credibility and be decisive – but be able to recognize and support the organization's preference and priorities
• Results and people oriented, but have sound judgment ability to balance other business considerations. Service oriented but assertive/persuasive.

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Education
• 1-2 years’ experiences in children’s' material development or experience in facilitating  writers and or illustrators workshop  would be preferred

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

• Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact an up-and-coming non-profit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker - you are not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic, take initiative, 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. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through the lifelong gift of education.

Application Procedure

Please submit a cover letter explaining with evidences how you meet the above specifications along with your recent resume by email (no calls, faxes, or drop-ins, please) to “nepal.hiring@roomtoread.org” OR by post through G.P.O. Box 21103, Kathmandu with “Application for Program Associate - QRM as the case might be in the subject line.

For further details please visit http://www.roomtoread.org/page.aspx?pid=262 or emailnepal.hiring@roomtoread.org

Room to Read is 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.