Room to Read

Position overview:

The Associate Director, IDTS will supervise the overall program management, ensure program quality, oversee content development and training, lead system strengthening and technical assistance efforts in states, technical oversight on custom projects, action research, contingency planning, documentation, and communications. The person will also ensure the capacity building of Literacy staff at INCO. The position will report to Director, Programs and will have three Program Coordinators, Literacy reporting to her/him/them.

Roles and Responsibility:

Management and Coordination:

• Support mentor and build capacity of the Instructional Design & Teacher Support Unit, to continue developing their skills in understanding literacy instruction and library management from both a theoretical and practical perspective.
• Collaborate with the Quality Reading Materials (QRM) unit to provide technical assistance into the development of appropriate teaching resources and instructional materials and ensure reading materials are appropriate and enhance the literacy and library experience.
• Ensure global guidelines are followed and manage process of contextualizing global guidelines, training, and content as need to fit CO conditions.
• Communicate and correspond with GO counterparts to seek highlight issues and seek clarification on various aspects of the Literacy program.
• Participate in any other activities, which may be required to be undertaken to fulfil the objectives of the organization.
• Assist Field Manager/ State head in selecting competent program staff (technical). Conduct their performance evaluation and assessment and based on this plan for their training and professional development.
• Determine the requirement for Literacy coaches and Literacy facilitators in each state based on targets of LP/SL/RWI intervention schools. Assist the Field Manager/State Heads in identification and positioning of competent staff in these positions.
• Any other work assigned from time to time to meet the technical needs of the organization.

Program Design, Implementation, Training, and Monitoring:

• As needed, lead the analysis of government curriculum to identify gaps, development of state specific instruction design and materials, and designing of training and workshop modules for Literacy Coaches and teachers.
• Responsible for designing Room to Read’s approach to teacher professional support to improve students’ literacy skills and habit of reading, adapted as needed based on research, monitoring and evaluation data.
• Take steps to ensure the quality of all Room to Read trainings. This includes designing of training modules, content and materials for teachers and principals, as well as building the capacity of RtR/partner staff to conduct the trainings.
• Lead development of concept notes, log frames, manuals, toolkits, training modules and other country specific program/operation documents.
• Provides expertise to the RM&E team to support the design, implementation and refinement of monitoring and evaluation systems and procedures used to track progress against planned program outcomes.
• Researches and recommends improvements to Room to Read literacy program to more efficiently and effectively manage the program in their country.
• Keep track of progress towards the agreed outcomes.

Reporting and Documentation:

• In collaboration with the CO Program Operations team, analyses annual program goals and budgets to ensure alignment with organizational strategies and priorities.
• Collaborates with the CO Program Operations team on developing and providing oversight of the implementation calendar, budget, annual planning, quarterly reporting, and overall tracking of program implementation and spending.
• Complete regular CO and GO reporting documents (MIUs, Quarterly and Annual Reports, Forecasts)
• Provide inputs into various strategic documents at the CO and GO level.
• Ensure documentation of current best practices and lessons learned to share with CO and GO programs staff.
• Collaborate with the GO Development and Communications Teams to write program-specific portions of funding proposals.

Technical Assistance:

• Take lead in contextualizing the Worldwide Implementation and Professional Development Modules provided by the Global Professional Development and Technical Assistance team.
• Plan and implement technical assistance/ institutionalization initiatives under the guidance of the Literacy Director
• Coordinate with governments to plan and roll out the TA interventions like training, material development, policy support etc.
• Develop a team of key staff who can develop content for TA and lead training/information sessions.
• Provide feedback and strategic inputs to the Literacy Director on TA and suggest improvements/ changes needed in the TA approach.

External Coordination and Networking:

• Stay informed about trends in the fields of literacy instruction, teacher professional development, and library programming in the local context. Use this information to assess and inform Room to Read’s Literacy program
• Represent Room to Read by attending and speaking at relevant forums and promote the importance of early grade reading.
• Build partnerships with NGOs and other organizations involved with literacy programming (teacher training, material development, primary school libraries) with the goal of becoming a key player in this community.
• Collaborates with the government to build support for early grade reading in general and the RtR approach in particular.

Qualification & Experience:

• Master’s in education / social sciences / Social Work or equivalent
• Minimum 12 years of relevant experience and 3+ years management experience
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of early grade reading pedagogy, approaches and research
• Knowledge of various programs and organizations in the field of early grade reading/literacy in India and abroad.
• Excellent managerial and interpersonal skills, including skills of managing and mentoring people
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Knowledge/ training in linguistics will be an added advantage.

Compensation:

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include thirteenth month bonus, health insurance and a retirement plan. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries on literacy and gender equality in education.

Room to Read is a child-safe organization.

Location(s)

India - Main - New Delhi

To be successful at Room to Read, you will also: 

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization 
• Be a proactive and innovative thinker who achieves results and creates positive change
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness 
• Embrace diversity and a commitment to collaboration 
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment 

Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled