Reading and Writing Instruction Program Manager

Room to Read is an International non-governmental organization currently working in 10 countries of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Zambia, and Tanzania. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, USA.

Room to Read partners with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children’s literature, constructing schools, and providing education to girls. We seek to intervene early in the lives of children in the belief that education empowers people to improve socioeconomic conditions for their families, communities, countries, and future generations. Through the opportunities that only education can provide, we strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.

In Vietnam, Room to Read is implementing School Libraries, Book Publishing, School Construction, Reading and Writing Instruction, and Girls Education Programs in the Mekong Delta and the Northern upland areas. Our country office is located in Ho Chi Minh City.

Reading and Writing Instruction Program Overview

The Reading and Writing Instruction Program is implementing at 10 primary schools in Tam Binh district, Vinh Long province with the aim to support children and teachers with the learning and teaching of Vietnamese language in grades 1 and 2. To achieve this goal, five components with relevant activities are designed including (1) teacher professional development, (2) resource development, (3) a print rich learning environment, (4) school readiness support, and (5) field support.

Position Overview

The Reading and Writing Instruction Program Manager (RWPM) is expected to have strong background knowledge of literacy and how children learn to read and write in primary schools. He/she will be responsible for all aspect of program implementation such as planning, budgeting, progress monitoring, reporting, and staff management. She/he is to provide technical and programmatic guidance to the program team and local team to ensure program quality and timely implementation as designed. She/he will also collaborate with other programs of Room to Read for activities to enhance further impacts on children’s education.

The incumbent will be based at the Country Office with a frequent duty travel to provinces as well as abroad. She/he will directly report to the Program Director and communicate with South East Asia Reading and Writing Instruction Program Manager on overall progress of the program and budget implementation.

Position’s Responsibilities

- Manage the Reading and Writing Instruction program following Annual and Budget Plan to ensure activities financially cost effective and timely implemented
- Develop monthly and quarterly work plans including budget implications in light of an Implementation Calendar and Budget Plan with specific tasks for program team members and literacy facilitators
- Develop specific monthly and quarterly forecast for program activities in collaboration with Finance department to ensure strong relation between forecasting and spending
- Manage monthly and quarterly program spending in collaboration with Finance department.
- Develop annual plan and budget for the Reading and Writing Instruction program in collaboration with South East Asia Program Manager and CountryProgram Director.
- Lead and supervise the program team and literacy facilitators with their monthly and quarterly work plans and field activities respectively
- Provide guidance to the program team with their professional development plan and input for how they can achieve their goals in collaboration with Human Resource Department
- Provide guidance to literacy facilitators with their school visits, review their reports and provide inputs for their coaching and mentoring of teachers
- Collaborate closely with Provincial Department of Education and Training and Program Management Board for an effective and timely implementation of program activities for children, teachers, schools and community
- Have regular visits to program schools to provide timely inputs and support to teachers with their classroom practice and be updated with locals’ circumstances or conditions for program activities
- Be responsible for program reporting including monthly quarterly, annual reports, and donor reports, and other reports as per work requirement
- Document and share best practices and lessons learned during program implementation with government partners, Country Program Director, Communication officer and South East Asia Reading and Writing Instruction Program Manager
- Maintain regular communication with South East Asia Reading and Writing Instruction Program Manager to update on program implementation, budget and other program related issues
- Explore opportunities for partnerships and knowledge sharing with NGOs, experts and institutions involved in literacy programs
- Establish and manage relationships with other NGOs, government officials and local educational authorities, attend meetings with them to advocate best practices or achievements of Room to Read’s Reading and Writing Instruction program
- Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the program by the Country/Program Director

Qualifications Required
- Master’s degree in education
- More than 5 years of experiences with education programs, preferably with an emphasis on literacy
- Good knowledge and understanding of education issues, including current teaching and learning of Vietnamese language in primary classrooms
- Strong team-building, mentoring and supervisory/management skills
- Excellent planning and program development/management skills
- Proven ability to communicate effectively with Room to Read Country, Regional and Global Office staff and donors, Provincial and District Officers, consultants, and especially school boards and teachers
- Ability to travel regularly to provinces
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Vietnamese
- Proven track record of achieving results
- Computer literate
- Ability to work under pressure and be as good team player

Terms of Appointment

The position will be appointed according to regulations for local staff at Room to Read Vietnam with an expected starting month of July 2012
The salary for the position will be based on the candidate’s working experience and qualifications.

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 and require minimal direction

Application Procedure
Please send your Cover Letter and Curriculum Vitae to Ms. Ngoc Diep at [email protected] with subject “Application for Reading and Writing Instruction Program Manager”.
Due to the high volume of applicant response, not all applicants may receive a response from Room to Read. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.