Associate, Literacy Field

World Change Starts with Educated Children 2025 is our 25th Anniversary Join Us in Celebrating 25 Years of Progress.IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.Position Overview:

The Program Associate, Literacy Field leads the planning and execution for all work related to implementing Room to Read's Literacy program at the field level and provides strategic, technical and management support. They will oversee the quality of implementation, coordination, development and reporting of the Literacy program for a set of schools. They would identify quality issues related to program design and management and discuss them with the supervisor and provide solutions at the field level. They would lead the teacher training and capacity building of government officials. The Associate will report to the District Lead. This position will involve frequent travel to field locations as well as regular interaction with education officials, school administrators, teachers and students. They would serve as the main point of contact for the school and local government officials and coordinate the work of other Room to Read staff in their jurisdiction.

Responsibilities: Program Understanding:

• Have a strong understanding of Room to Read's Literacy program design and the ability to present the program in various forums

• Awareness of literacy programs, their design and strategies operating in project region.

• Have good awareness on quality of program implementation and adherence to program guidelines for the set of schools under his/her jurisdiction.

Technical assistance and advocacy:

• Serve as a technical resource at the district level. Attend government meetings, discussions and committees on literacy and use those forums to advocate for enabling policies and government support in support of Room to Read's literacy program.

• Participate in the district and block level discussions organized by government counterparts and advocate for Room to Read's approach through developing good understanding of foundational literacy and reading Programme.

Training, workshop and meeting:

• Jointly with District Lead, conduct training of Resource persons and CRPs in the project location. Assist in planning for all teacher trainings at the district/state level.

• Support the Resource person and RtR block level staff in conducting training of teachers.

• Provide technical oversight to the CRP (Cluster Resource person)/BEO (Block education officer) and support them in their coaching and communication with teachers and schools. Identify gaps in their capabilities and plan for their capacity building in discussion with the State and Country office team.

• Assist District Lead in district level review meeting, ensuring proper documentation of the meeting including follow actions.

• Conduct monthly review meeting with DDPI (Deputy Director of Public Instruction) and BEOs.

• Monitor and support block level RtR staff in conducting meeting with BEOs and CRPs at block level.

Program coordination and monitoring:

• Responsible for managing the implementation of the Literacy program for the all the schools in the project location, ensuring timely, efficient and well-coordinated implementation, adhering to the program and budget guidelines.

• Ensure program data entry and compilation on monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. Maintain high level of data quality.

• Ensure effective utilization of program budget through proper planning and tracking of planned activities. Ensure that financial and procurement norms are adhered to and efforts are made to be reduce cost to the extent possible, without compromising on the quality. 

• Prepare cash advance, settlement, and reimbursement for program activities.

• Assist the Literacy Program Operations Officer in preparing programmatic and financial reports.

• Track progress of implementation and expenditures through regular review meetings and field visits; flag off deviations and delays at the earliest; ensure proper documentation of the meeting including follow up actions.  

• Assist District Lead in preparing regular monthly, quarterly and yearly basis, including GSD (Global Solutions Database), qualitative reports and documenting case studies and best practices.  

School visits:

• Make regular visits to program schools, observe classroom transactions, library activities, and speak to teachers and headmasters in coordination with Cluster Resource Person (CRP).

• Provide regular coaching to Block level Room to Read staff to support the CRP and Teachers towards implementation of the programme activities

Others:

• Ensure proper implementation of community engagement plans.

• Participate actively on social media in all Room to Read campaigns.

• Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.

Qualifications:Required:

• Bachelor's degree in education / social sciences or equivalent.

• Master's degree in education / social sciences or equivalent preferred.

• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in the education sector. 

• Critical thinking and analytical skills.

• Good interpersonal skills and a team player. 

• Proven track record of achieving results.

• Proven ability to work effectively with schools and communities. 

• Ability to travel regularly to project sites in remote locations.

• Knowledge of Marathi language.

Preferred:

• Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people.

• Prior experience of working in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead.

• Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization. 

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative.

• Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials 

• Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks as well as developing and implementing improvements in a prior position.

Compensation:

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include a thirteenth-month bonus, health insurance, and a retirement plan. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing and transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries on literacy and gender equality in education.

Room to Read is a child-safe organization.

Child Protection Principles

• Room to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation
• Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation.
• All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse.
• All children should be treated with respect and dignity.
• The well-being of the child is Room to Read's first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse.
• Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Principles

• Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
• Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse. 
• Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated.
• All adults should be treated with respect and dignity.
• Room to Read implements a survivor-centered approach, putting the survivor's rights and dignity at the forefront.
• Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read's Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

About Room to Read:   

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children's libraries filled with diverse children's books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions.

We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries.

Learn more

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