Girls' Education Program Associate - Kafue, Zambia
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 5 million children by constructing more than 1,400 schools, establishing over 11,000 libraries, publishing 550 new children’s book titles in 22 local languages, and putting over 10,000 girls onto long-term, holistic scholarships.
Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$38 million and our global staff numbers over 420. 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:
The Girls’ Education Program Associate’s primary responsibilities will be to support the growth, smooth implementation and further development of the Girls’ Education program in Zambia. The position will be based in Kafue District, and will require travel to all districts where the program is running. The Girls’ Education Program Associate will report to the Girls’ Education Program Manager.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- Assist in the development of the Girls’ Education program plans and activities in collaboration with the Program Manager
- Assist the process of identifying areas and schools in which Room to Read’s Girls Education program will be implemented
- Establish and maintain close working relationships with school principles, communities, governments officials, and other stakeholders throughout the program cycle
- Carry out all program activities including organizing and implementing trainings and educational tours
- Meet with girls regularly, addressing and following up on issues as they arise
- Manage, coach and monitor Social Mobilizers including conducting regular meetings with them
- Maintain records on girls and compile and share case studies on specific girls, in cooperation with Social Mobilzers
- Maintain attendance records for girls, parent/guardians and others for program activities
- Organize and facilitate distribution of materials to girls
- Assist in the training of local management committees and Social Mobilizers to ensure quality program implementation
- Work closely with local committees, school management and teachers/mentors to strengthen academic support activities
- Facilitate community awareness and engagement
- Assist in the preparation and hosting of key donor visits and other site visits
- Provide regular reports (e.g., monthly, quarterly, and those for special events and purposes) and updates on the program
- Participate in any other activities, which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization
Qualifications:
Required:
- Diploma in social work, education or related field
- 3-5 years experience working with schools, programs and/or communities
- Strong interpersonal, coaching and team management skills
- Ability to travel frequently and spend up to several weeks at a time in rural areas
- Zambian citizen
- Good verbal and written communication skills in English
- Proficiency in the local language of the area in which program sites are located
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Preferred:
- Experience working with youth or children
- Ability to work in a multi-cultural environment
- Prior experience working with the Ministry of Education and vulnerable groups will be an added advantage
- Ability to ride motorbike with Class L drives driver’s license
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
- 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 and retirement benefits are also provided. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and gender equality in education.
Application Procedure:
Interested and suitably qualified candidates must be Zambian Nationals and need to send their CVs and letters of motivation by e-mail to constance.pola@roomtoread.org. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted by Room to Read. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.
Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing
the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.