Reading Room Program Manager

Organization Profile:

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

We are non-governmental, non-religious and work with many local NGOs and community based organizations to implement our programs. We currently work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia – countries with a desperate lack of resources to educate their children. Since our inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted over 7 million children by constructing more than 1,600 schools, establishing over 15,000 libraries, publishing 800 new children’s book titles in 11 local languages, and rewarding over 20,000 girls with long-term, holistic scholarships.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7 million and our global staff numbers over 500. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi and program offices in Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane. 

Position Overview:

The Reading Room Program Manager (RRPM) will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of Room to Read’s library program, including program development, planning, implementing and monitoring of libraries.  S/he will be constantly engaged in working to improve the library program, with the aim of ensuring that Room to Read libraries are effectively and fully utilized by schools and communities as a tool for increasing student motivation as well as for development of literacy and educational activities.  This position requires skills in project management, training, curriculum development, networking, accounting, and supervising.  The RRPM will report to the Program Director.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Organize and oversee the complete process of setting up Room to Read Reading Room Program in all of the districts where Room to Read works
• Supervise and mentor PAs, ensuring that program activities are carried out in a timely manner and with attention to quality
• Visit project sites as needed to supervise the site and organize discussions with the school management team and local authorities.  Gather feedback and ensure that they deliver on their portion of the challenge grant and on all terms of agreement with Room to Read.
• Coordinate content from PAs and finalize monthly reports in a timely basis to headquarters regarding the status and progress of each site
• Edit project reports written by PAs and present final versions to Program  Director in a timely manner
• Prepare detailed cost estimations for each project, specifying each school’s and/or NGO partner’s cost-sharing contribution and items contributed for the challenge grant.
• Continuously assess strategies to enhance the Reading Room program’s impact and sustainability in schools and communities, with particular focus on improving librarian training, the challenge grant initiative and increasing both local language literacy and English language literacy in the primary and secondary school sector
• Assist in conducting monitoring and evaluation of Room to Read libraries, including occasional case studies as advised by Country Director through Program Director; follow through with recommendations for improvement
• In consultation with the Country Director and Program Director and appropriate Regional and Global Office staff, work to develop an effective Room to Read librarian training model on library management and activities, such as art and literacy; update training materials and manuals accordingly
• Conduct Room to Read librarian training with assistance from PAs and provide technical support to other training partners as appropriate
• Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfil the objectives of the organization
• Explore opportunities for partnerships and knowledge sharing with NGOs, experts andinstitutions involved in teacher training and literacy initiatives.
• Establish and manage relationships with other NGO’s, government officials and local educational facilities/authorities; schedule and attend meetings with them to coordinate planning and implementation of projects
• Host bi annual meeting with school communities to increase community commitment and ensure sustainability
• Represent Room to Read at relevant meetings and occasionally assist in hosting key donor visits
• Provide regular updates on program activities and plans at regular meetings with managements staff
• Document best practices and lessons learned during field work and share with other project sites, relevant local staff, the Country Director and appropriate Regional and US based Global Program Associates.
• Participate on the book detection committee, to appropriately resource books for the Reading Rooms
• Manage visitor’s queries about books donations and distribution from initial enquiry to collection of donations.
• Managing and hiring of casual workers during sorting and packaging of books in liaison with HR Associate.
• Coordinate with Procurement Manager regarding packing and distribution of GINKI and LLP books
• Submit a monthly book movement report to finance.
• Preparation of time sheet and process payment for temporary workers
• Prepare delivery schedule of books and materials to respective schools
• Physical verification of GINKI and LLP books in liaison with Procurement Manager
• Complete donor reports as and when requested.
• Work with the Program Director and Local Language Publishing officer in developing ideas and content for Local Language Publishing initiatives.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Graduate in Education / Librarianship OR Advanced Diploma in Education
• Strong academic and content knowledge in literacy instruction
• Experience in project management
• Experience of leading and mentoring teams
• At least eight (8) years of work experience in primary education
• Experience developing educational learning materials for students and/or teachers  
• Experience in developing and conducting training programs for teachers in library use
• Experience with reading/literacy or learning improvement programs
• Experience in language education at the primary stage is an added advantage
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of learner centred teaching methodologies, curriculum and teachers training at primary stage and community engagement
• Strong planning, supervising, and program development skills
• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and process documentation
• Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and a low overhead
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• Experience teaching at the primary stage,
• Experience in running a successful library and developing a habit of reading using the library
• Experience of developing team in supporting successful libraries
• Strong planning, supervisory, and management skills
• Ability to travel to provinces throughout the country.
• Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials

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 a dynamic nonprofit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker; you’re 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 and require minimal direction
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Compensation:

The salary range for this position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. Health and retirement benefits are also provided. 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 your resume and cover letter by email (no calls, faxes, or drop-ins) toconstance.pola@roomtoread.org with Reading Room Program Manager in the subject line. Due to the anticipated high volume of applicant response, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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.