Program Officer - Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh

Room to Read India Trust

Deadline for Application: 28th February 2010
Email: in.hiring@roomtoread.org
Date of Issue: 3nd February 2010

Organization Profile:
Room to Read is an international educational non-governmental organization (NGO) that 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. We 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, we strive to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time.

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, 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 3.1 million children by constructing more than 760 schools, establishing over 7,000 libraries, publishing 327 new children's book titles in 11 local languages, and putting over 6,800 girls onto long-term, holistic scholarships. We are one of ten non-profits to have won the Fast Company / Monitor Group Social Capitalist award five years in a row, we've received Charity Navigator’s highest rating (4 stars) for three straight years, and we've been featured in a variety of media including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNN, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and PBS.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$25 million and our global staff numbers over 300. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Hong Kong, London, and Delhi. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi, a Southern Africa Regional Office in Pretoria, and program offices in Colombo, Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane.

Position Overview:
The Reading Room Program Officer - Andhra Pradesh 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 in their respective state. This position will involve frequent travel to districts in which Room to Read’s Reading Room Program is implementing. The Program Officer will be also required to have regular interaction with education officials, partners, school administrators, teachers and students. The Reading Room Program Officer will report to State coordinator and will have Program Associate assisting and reporting to him/her.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
• Liaise with school principals, government officials and NGO partners to carry out surveying and implementation of library program.

• 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 Room to Read library.

• 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

• 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.

• Establish and manage relationships with other NGO’s, government officials and local educational facilities/authorities.

• Complete detailed written reports in a timely basis to headquarters regarding the status and progress of each site.

• Attend to donor affairs including hosting donor site visits and documenting anecdotes that evolve through fieldwork.

• Assist in development of curriculum and materials for librarian trainings.

• 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.
• Represent Room to Read in different forums and advocate the importance of reading and need for libraries for children.

• Participate in any other activities, which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.

Qualifications and Experience:
• Bachelor’s degree in education or social sciences or pedagogical techniques.
• Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks.
• Experience in conducting trainings and developing curriculum.
• Ability to travel frequently and spend up to several weeks at a time in rural areas.
• Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and a low overhead.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English.

Preferred:
• A minimum of five years of professional experience.
• Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas.
• 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 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.
• 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 submit your resume and cover letter by email (no calls, faxes, or drop-ins, please) to in.hiring@roomtoread.org with “Program Officer – Reading Room Program - AP” as the case might be in the subject line.

Due to the high volume of applicant response, not all applicants may receive a response from Room to Read.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

Last date for application: 28th February 2010