Reading & Writing Instruction Program Officer

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 and Writing Instruction Program Officer (R&WI P0) is responsible for working with Room to Read staff, especially Reading and Writing Instruction facilitators, as well as local and external consultants, on all aspects of implementing THE RtRZM literacy pilot program in line with Room to Read’s new strategic plan focusing on literacy. In collaboration with the Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager, Country Programs Director and Country Reading Room team, the PO will ensure effective and efficient implementation of the Reading and Writing Instruction Program in Kafue District. This position will report directly to the Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

Responsibilities of the Reading and Writing Instruction Program Officer include, but are not limited to the following:

1. Partner Engagement:
   • In consultation with the Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager, plan and coordinate partner meetings at provincial and national levels.
   • Represent Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager at partner meetings
   • Conduct partner mapping in literacy instruction
2. Program Research & Development, Monitoring and Documentation
   • In conjunction with the Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager, conduct quarterly school visits
   • In collaboration with Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager and Research Monitoring &Evaluation Unit, support Reading and Writing Instruction Program Managers on learner assessment processes.
   • Support the research and design process for 2014 program, as requested by Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager  
   • Lead program documentation   
   • Coordinate timely program monthly planning and reporting
3. Educator Professional Development
   • Oversee and manage all educator professional learning logistics.
   • Support Reading and Writing Instruction Program Managers on design and implementation of refresher trainings for teachers.
4. Donor site visits
   • In collaboration with the Reading and Writing Instruction Senior Program Manager, Reading and Writing Instruction Program Managers and Country Programs Director, plan for and facilitate donor site visits.
5. Perform other duties, as assigned

Qualifications:

Minimum Educational Attainment

Under graduate degree in Education OR, Advanced Diploma in Education with significant academic and content knowledge in literacy instruction, and vast experience in professional development and project management

Minimum Professional Experience

• At least eight years of work experience in primary education
• Experience developing and conducting training programs for teachers
• Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English

Required Competencies

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of teaching methodologies, curriculum and teachers training at primary stage
• Strong negotiation skills
• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and process documentation

Desired

• Experience with reading/literacy or learning improvement programs
• Experience in language education at the primary stage

• Experience teaching at the primary stage

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 & Writing Instruction Program Officer  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.