Literacy Program Field Operations 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 7.8 million children by constructing more than 1,600 schools, establishing over 15,000 libraries, publishing 874 new children’s book titles in 27 local languages, and reaching over 20,000 girls through our Girls’ Education program.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7 million and our global staff numbers over 600. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in New 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.

In Vietnam, Room to Read is implementing Literacy Program and Girls Education Program in the Mekong Delta and the Northern upland area, and in the Central Coast. Our country office is located in Ho Chi Minh City.

Room to Read’s Literacy Strategy

Literacy is fundamental to exercising the right to a basic education and is crucial for economic, social and political participation and development. For these reasons, Room to Read has made literacy development a cornerstone of our work. The goal of our Literacy Program is for primary schoolchildren to acquire literacy skills and reading habits to become lifelong independent readers. One crucial input is regular access to books and other reading materials, which are scarce in many of the communities where Room to Read operates.

In Vietnam, Room to Read’s Literacy Program implements School Library Component which aims to establish school libraries and publish local language books to fill this gap. Room to Read ensures schools have access to quality reading materials in libraries by sourcing local-language materials and working with local authors and illustrators to develop original storybooks.  Our literacy strategy capitalizes on our organizational strengths built over the last decade and defines a clear and carefully constructed path to the goal of increased literacy and a habit of reading in the children with whom we work.

Position Overview

The Literacy Program Field Operations Officer (“LPFOO”) leads the strategic and tactical execution for all work related to implementing Room to Read’s Literacy Program – school library component at the field level for an appointed project provinces.  The LPFOO serves as the main point of contact for school leaders and coordinates the work with schools in their jurisdiction. The LPFOO reports to the Field Manager and works with local Field Facilitators (FFs) in an appointed project provinces.

This position requires frequent travel, about 13 days per month in average.

Specific Roles & Responsibilities

Program Management, Implementation, Monitoring and Coordination

• Responsible for managing the ongoing implementation of the Literacy program – school library component in appointed provinces, ensuring its timely, quality, efficient and well-coordinated implementation. 
• Develop and maintain relationships with schools, communities and partner in appointed area.
• Play as focal point for all contacts, communication, and program implementation in all schools of their jurisdiction.
• Ensure the FFs perform all terms of agreement with RtR.
• Serve as the technical expert in the field on habit of reading and provide technical support to FFs through regular coaching visits and review meetings to ensure they are able to effectively implement the Literacy program.
• Facilitate sessions in trainings/workshops for teachers, librarians and principals where appropriate and in agreement with provincial key trainers.
• Gather comments and provide feedback/suggestions to team and the IDTS on the quality of training design, materials and delivery.
• Responsible for ensuring schools receive materials and furniture at the appropriate time. 
• Prepare cash advance, settlement, and reimbursement for program activities in the appointed provinces.
• Coordinate with the IDTS, RM&E, School Infrastructure Program Officer and the Field Manager to organize works related to schools in appointed provinces when required.
• Organize review meetings between FFs, school managers and librarians and follow through with recommendations for improvement
• Provide inputs and update to Global Solutions Data (GSD) when needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by direct supervisor.

Planning, Reporting and Documentation

• Assist to prepare annual, quarterly and monthly plans and budget for the Literacy program.
• Monitor and gather information for report on the status and progress of project sites.
• Document best practices and lessons learned during field work and shares with team and IDTS.
• Report to Field Manager.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Management or other related field
• A minimum of 5 years of professional experience
• At least a working knowledge and understanding of project management methodology and software
• Strong planning, budgetary, supervising, and project implementation skills
• Ability to travel regularly to project sites throughout the region
• Proven ability to work effectively with schools and communities
• Prior success in working and building relationships with diverse groups of people

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education, Management or other related field
• Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
• Strong verbal and written communication in English is preferable
• Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization
• Experience working in community development projects in rural communities
• 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 an up-and-coming non-profit 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

Working location: 

She/He is based in Ho Chi Minh City and frequent travel for work to other provinces or cities upon the request of the organization and job required.

Expected starting:  July 2016

Application Procedure:

Please send your Curriculum Vitae (in English) to HR department at [email protected]

Application due: until the position is filled.

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.