Reading Room Program Officer, Laos
Vacancy Notice Lao Nationality
Position & duty station: Reading Room Program Officer
Duty Station: Bolikhamxay Province
Deadline for Application: 19th of August 2011
Date of Issue: 2nd August 2011
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 6 million children by constructing more than 1,500 schools, establishing over 13,000 libraries, publishing 700 new children’s book titles in 11 local languages, and rewarding over 15,000 girls with long-term, holistic scholarships.
Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$44 million and our global staff numbers over 600. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi, a Southern Africa Regional Office in Pretoria, and program offices in Colombo, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, Vientiane, and we are setting up operations and hiring staff for a new office in Tanzania.
Position Overview:
This position is part of the Program team. The Reading Room Program Officer will be responsible for carrying out all activities of Room to Read’s library program, including surveying, program implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and project reporting. 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 Reading Room Program Officer will report to the Reading Room Program Manager and will have Field Facilitators assisting and reporting to him/her.
Responsibilities:
- Liaise with school principals, government officials and NGO partners to carry out surveying and implementation of Reading Room Program
- Survey and 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 RtR Reading Room Program
- Analyze and assess applications and/or proposals received from schools/or partners and make recommendations for programmatic implementation
- Organize logistical arrangements and implement the process of setting up Room to Read libraries
- Assist in development of curriculum and materials for librarian trainings
- 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 portion of the challenge grant and on all terms of agreement with Room to Read.
- Ensure of data entry and GI collection of the Reading Room Program where in charge.
- Complete detailed written reports in a timely basis to headquarters regarding the status and progress of each site
- Complete monthly forecast and 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 Program Director/Country Director and appropriate RO/GO based Program Officers
- Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.
- Establish and manage relationships with other NGO’s, government officials and local educational facilities/authorities
Other Responsibilities
- Assist in coordinating, conducting and facilitating training workshops on librarian management and activities promoting art and literacy development
- Facilitate financial transactions between Room to Read and beneficiaries during course of program implementation as needed
- Provide technical assistance to schools and partners in management of libraries and conducting activities for children and make suggestions for improving quality and utilization of libraries
- Supervise work of the Reading Room Program Associate, providing direction for his/her role in library implementation and management of books to be distributed
- Represent Room to Read in different forums and advocate the importance of reading and need for libraries for children
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in education and field work or experience related to the tasks mentioned above
- Good knowledge and understanding of education issues, including teaching methodologies and community involvement in schools
- Ability to analyze and monitoring skill.
- Ability to stay and travel frequently throughout designed districts
- Work more effectively in problem solving and delegation approach
- Proven track record of achieving results
- Computer literate (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Good in verbal and written communication skills in English
- High commitment and trustworthy person
Work Experience:
- At least 2-3 years experience in library or community development, particularly in Education Sector
- Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials.
- Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks as well as developing and implementing improvements in a prior position.
- Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
- Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
- Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization
- Proven track record of achieving results
- Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative
To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:
- Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization
- Be an innovative and creative thinker that tries new things and inspires 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
Compensation:
The salary range for this position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. 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 literacy and gender equality in education.
Application Procedure:
If you think you are qualified for this post, please submit your cover letter and CV through email: Laos@roomtoread.org or sathaphone.chanthavong@roomtoread.org with "RR Program Officer" in the subject line.
You also can visit the INGO web site: http://www.directoryofngos.org
The shortlisted candidates only will be contacted and your CV will not be returned.
Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.