Programme Officer
Organization Profile:
Room to Read’s mission is to provide under-privileged children with an opportunity to gain the lifelong gift of education. The organization was founded on the belief that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and taking control of one’s own life. They currently work in Cambodia, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Laos and Sri Lanka.
A results-driven organization headquartered in San Francisco, California, USA, Room to Read seeks to intervene early in a child’s life and provide ongoing educational opportunities in their communities. They have built a global team that has developed a successful approach to building educational infrastructure and opportunities which consists of:
- Partnering with communities to build schools and educational facilities through our challenge grant program
- Establishing bi-lingual libraries
- Publishing local language children's books
- Establishing computer and language labs
- Providing long-term scholarships to girls
Room to Read was founded in 2000 and since then has established more than 2,500 libraries, built more than 200 schools, established more than 75 computer and language labs and funded more than 1,700 girls scholarships worldwide. Their long-term goal is to help 10 million children to gain the lifelong gift of education. Room to Read Vietnam currently operates the following programs: Reading Room/Library Program, Computer Rooms, Language Labs, School Construction, Room to Grow Girls Scholarship, and Local Language Publishing.
Position Overview:
The Reading Room Program Officer (RRPO) will be part of the RR team to be responsible for 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 educational activities and promotion of reading. This position requires skills in project management, training, curriculum development, networking, accounting, and supervising. The RRPO will report to the Reading Room Program Manager.
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
- Reading Room Program activities
- 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 local language literacy in the primary school sector
- Analyze and assess applications and/or proposals received from schools and/or partners that are in need and meet all our criteria for the challenge grant. Finalize a list of project sites and formulate strategies for implementation.
- 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.
- 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.
- Write project reports and present final versions to RR Program Manager in a timely manner
- Assist in conducting monitoring and evaluation of Room to Read libraries, including occasional case studies as advised by Program Manager; follow through with recommendations for improvement
- In consultation with the Program Manager and appropriate headquarters staff, work to develop an effective Room to Read librarian training model on library management and activities, update training materials and manuals accordingly
- Conduct Room to Read librarian trainings with assistance of other Program Officer(s)/Associates(s) and provide technical support to other training partners as appropriate
- Document best practices and lessons learned during field work and share with other project sites, relevant local staff, the Country and Program Director and appropriate US based Program Officers
- Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization
Meetings/Networking
- Explore opportunities for partnerships and knowledge sharing with NGOs, experts and institutions 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 libraries
- 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 RR Team Meetings
- 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.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree, preferably social science.
- A minimum of two years of professional experience in educationor community development
- Working experience with NGOs or international development organisation is preferable.
- Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials
- Good knowledge and understanding of education issues, including teaching methodologies and community involvement in schools
- Strong planning, supervisory, and management skills
- Ability to travel frequently to provinces throughout Vietnam
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
Preferred:
- Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas
- Experience developing and/or implementing large-scale literacy initiatives
To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:
- Have a passion for their 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 and require minimal direction
- Be both self-confident and humble
- 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 benefits are also provided. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through the lifelong gift of education.
Application Procedure:
Please send your cover letter and resume (by email only, no phone calls, faxes or drop-ins please) to Ms. Ngoc Diep at [email protected].