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 Reading Room Program Officer’s primary responsibilities will include; conducting needs assessment, establishment of Libraries in Primary schools, facilitating capacity building to teachers and librarians, and managing and running the libraries. S/he will also be required to liaise with other stakeholders dealing with children’s book. The position will require some travel in rural part of the country and involves frequent interaction with writers, authors, illustrators, publishers, printers and government officials. The position will report directly to the Country Director/ Program Director. The successful candidate will begin his/her work in January 2012
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- In collaboration with the Program Director / Country Director, create, implement and analyze annual program goals and budgets for Room to Read Tanzania program, ensuring alignment with organizational strategies and priorities.
- Liaise with Community members, NGOs and CSOs, government departments and other stakeholders to ensure effective management of Reading Room program and successful achievement of annual goals.
- Organize and oversee the complete process of setting up RtR Reading Rooms in all of the schools where RtR works.
- Analyze and assess applications and/or proposals received from schools and/or partners that are in need and meet all our criteria for the challenge grant.
- Visit project sites as needed to supervise the site and organize discussions with the school management team, school committees and local authorities.
- Assist in designing and implementing an annual monitoring project as well as evaluation projects for the Reading Room program.
- 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.
- Continuously assess strategies to enhance the Reading Room Program's impact and sustainability in schools and communities, with particular focus on improving librarian training, the challenge grant initiative and increasing both local language literacy and English language literacy in the primary and secondary school sector.
- Assist in conducting RtR librarian trainings and provide technical support to other training partners as appropriate.
- Liaise with school head teachers, government officials and NGO partners to carry out surveys and implementation of Reading Rooms.
- Identify schools or partners that are in need and meet all RtR criteria for the challenge grant. Work with them in developing, reviewing and finalizing their applications for a Reading Room.
- Organize logistical arrangements and implement the process of setting up Reading Rooms.
- Liaise with other NGOs in development of curriculum and materials for librarian trainings.
- Represent RtR in different forums and advocate the importance of reading and need for Reading Rooms for children.
- Ensure that the information related to programs or Room to Read Tanzania is entered into a database.
- Actively participate in any other reasonable activity which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of RtR Tanzania.
Minimum Qualifications and Experience Required:
- A Bachelor’s or Masters degree in Education
- Library and Information technology or an equivalent backed by at least 3 years relevant teaching
- Working with learners, schools, teachers, administrators and government officials as well as managing people.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Kiswahili
- Willingness to travel frequently to schools in order to monitor the program.
- Prior experience of living and/or working in rural areas will be a definite advantage.
Compensation:
The salary range for these positions 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, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and gender equality in education.
Application Procedure:
Please send a cover letter and resume by email, with “RR Program Officer, Tanzania” in the subject line, (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to africa.hiring@roomtoread.org. Due to high applicant volume you may not receive a response from 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.
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