Reading Room Programme Officer

Position: Reading Room Programme Officer
Duty Location: Ha Noi with frequent travel to project sites

Organization Profile:
Room to Read is an International non-governmental organization currently working in 9 countries of Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and
Zambia. Their 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. They 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, they strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.
Since their inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted over 4.1 million children by constructing 1,129 schools, establishing 10,000 libraries, publishing 550 new children’s book titles in 22 local languages, and putting over 10,000 girls onto long-term, holistic scholarships. Their long-term goal is to help 10 million children to gain the lifelong gift of education.
In Vietnam, Room to Read has been implementing five programs including the Reading Room, the Girls’ Education, the Local Language Publishing, Computer Program and Literacy Program in eight provinces and city of Vietnam.

Position Overview:
The Reading Room Program Officer (RRPO) will work at HN office and travel frequently to project sites in Northern provinces of Vietnam. RRPO will be part of the RR team to be responsible for all aspects of Room to Read (RtR)’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, Hanoi office.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
- Laise with government officials and/or school principals to implement RR program at the selected project sites, including school surveying, assessment, selection, implementation of program activities, and monitoring;
- 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;
- Visit project sites as needed to supervise the projects; gather feedback and ensure that they deliver on their portion of the challenge grant and on all terms of agreement with RtR;
- Organize review meetings between field facilitators, principals and teaching librarians; assist in conducting monitoring and evaluation of RtR libraries and follow through with recommendations for improvement; input and update Global Solutions Data (GSD);
Write project reports to RR Program Manager in a timely manner, documenting best practices and lessons learned during field work and share with other project sites, relevant local staff, the Country and Program Directors and appropriate US based Program Officers;
- In consultation with the Program Manager and appropriate headquarters staff, work to develop and conduct an effective RtR librarian training model on library management and activities, update training materials and manuals accordingly; with assistance of other Program Officer(s)/Associates(s);
- Organize activities/events to promote reading;
- Select and purchase library furniture (or furniture designs) and educational materials; ensure the delivery and receipt of furniture, materials, books between RtR and local authorities;
- Participate in any other activities/events 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 RtR 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;

Qualifications:
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, preferably in library science or education;
- Two year of professional experience in education or community development;
- Prior experience in 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, report writing, supervisory, and management skills;
- Ability to travel frequently to project sites;
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English.

Preferred:
- Good knowledge and understanding of children’s books issues, including the publishing trends in Viet Nam and the world, and the need and habit of reading of children;
- Working experience with NGOs or international development organization/project;
- Prior experience in delivering or facilitating training workshops;
- Experience in 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 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;
- 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 to Ms. Ngoc Diep at [email protected] by 21 April
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.