Programme Manager

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
- Building schools
Room to Read was founded in 2000 and since then has established more than 5,100 libraries, built more than 442 schools, established more than 75 computer and language labs and funded more than 4,036 girls scholarships worldwide.  Our 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 Senior Room to Grow Program Manager will be responsible for carrying out all activities of Room to Read’s girl’s scholarship program, including surveying, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, training, program development and project reporting.  The Senior RtG Program Manager will also lead the team to researching and finding creative ways to address issues of gender disparity and explore further empowerment programs for girls.  This position is a senior management position and will oversee (2) Program Officers and (2) Program Associates.  This position will involve frequent travel to all the provinces Room to Read works in, as well as regular interaction with education officials, partners, school administrators, teachers and students.  The Senior Room to Grow Program Manager will report to the Program Director. 

General Duties & Responsibilities:
- Liaise with school principals, government officials and NGO partners to carry out surveying and implementation of Room to Grow Program
- Identify schools or partners that are in need and meet all our criteria for the challenge grant.  Work with them in developing, reviewing and finalizing their applications for a Room to Read Room to Grow Program.
- Analyze and assess applications and/or proposals received from schools/or partners and make recommendations for programmatic implementation
- Make regular visits to project sites to supervise the site and organize discussions with the school/partner management team and local authorities.  Gather feedback and ensure that they deliver on their terms of agreement with Room to Read.
- Establish and manage relationships with other NGO’s, government officials and local educational facilities/authorities
- Complete detailed written reports in a timely basis to Regional Office and/or Global Office regarding the status and progress of the program
- Complete monthly expense reports
- Attend to donor affairs including hosting donor site visits and documenting anecdotes that evolve through field work
- 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 Program Officers
- Extend support to local and outside volunteers in order to get their inputs in to the program.
- Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.
- Responsible for developing annual plans and strategies for the program.  Done in consultation/cooperation with other RtG staff
- Attend and participate in Room to Grow Program Officer conferences and other conferences as needed

Specific Duties and Responsibilities
- Organize and oversee the process of the scholarship program in all of the provinces where Room to Read works.
- Prepare detail cost estimation of scholarships (will vary by school level) and over-see the Room to Grow program budget.
- Identify schools and/or Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) partners to work with in supporting scholarship recipients.
- Implement the application and selection process of Room to Grow scholarship girls.  Evaluate applications received, conduct home interviews and make recommendations to the program. 
- Develop and maintain good working relationships with school and/or NGO partner’s management team, government education department and the local authorities.  Schedule and conduct regular meetings with them to monitor the girls’ progress and address issues as they arise.
- Train and supervise the local management committees; ensure that they send accurate and timely reports of meetings with the girls
- Organize and coordinate the purchase and distribution of scholarship materials to the girls
- Lead the RtG Program team to fulfill the the over-all program vision and goals, as well as facilitate the day-to-day operational management of the program, offer guidance and support for implementation, and conduct performance review of School Room program staff
- Create and/or coordinate specific trainings/workshops for the local communities and authorities either internally or with INGO/NGO partners

Qualifications:

Required:
- Bachelor’s degree
- A minimum of 5-7 years of professional experience in education
- Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials
- Good knowledge and understanding of education and gender issues, including community involvement of schools
- Strong planning, supervisory, and management skills
- Ability to travel frequently to provinces throughout Vietnam
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
- Demonstrated commitment to social change
- Experience working with youth or children in a formal or non-formal educational setting

Preferred:
- Bachelor’s degree  in a related field
- Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas

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
- 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:
Email applications to:  [email protected].  Please put the name of the position applying for in the subject line.  Or send applications to:

351/8 Le Van Sy
Ward 13, District 3
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Phone: 84-8-3526-2712 ext. 105
Fax: 84-8-3526-2713
[email protected]
www.roomtoread.org

Deadline to apply:  Dec. 31, 2009.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.  Please no drop-in’s or phone calls.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing
the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

Job Details
Organisation Name: 
Room to Read
Location: 
HCMC
Application Deadline: 
Thu, 2009-12-31