JOB DESCRIPTION 

Position title: Block Program Coordinator, Literacy Field

Location: Sandur Block, Bellary District (Karnataka)

Organization Profile:

Room to Read is a global organization transforming the lives of millions of children in low-income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, our innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools during two time periods that are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations, and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. 

By focusing on the quality of education provided within the communities and ensuring these outcomes are measured, we have created a model that can be replicated, localized, and sustained by governments. With its global headquarters in San Francisco, Room to Read till date has benefited 32 million children across 21 low-income countries. 

Room to Read India was established in 2003 and presently has programs in eleven states – Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi NCR, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand, and Uttar Pradesh. By working closely with the government and other partner organizations to create equal and robust education systems that reach the most vulnerable children and improve teaching and learning environments. 

Position Overview: 

The Block Programme Coordinator (BPC) assist the planning and execution for all work related to implementing Room to Read’s Programme at the field level and provides strategic, technical and management support. S/he will oversee the quality of implementation, coordination, development and reporting of the Literacy program for a set of schools[1].  S/he would identify quality issues related to program design and management and discuss them with the supervisor and provide solutions at the field level.  S/he would assist Programme Associate/Programme Officer with respect to teacher training and capacity building of government officials. The BPC will report to the Programme Associate.  

This position will involve frequent travel to field locations as well as regular interaction with education officials, school administrators, teachers and students. S/he would serve as the main point of contact for the school and local government officials and coordinate the work of other RtR staff in his/her jurisdiction. 

Roles & Responsibilities: 

Program Understanding: 

• Have a strong understanding of Room to Read’s Literacy program design and the ability to present the program in various forums.
• S/he has good awareness of literacy programs, their design and strategies operating in project region.
• Have good awareness on quality of program implementation and adherence to program guidelines for the set of schools under his/her jurisdiction. 

Technical assistance and advocacy: 

• Serve as a technical resource at the block level. Attend government meetings, discussions and committees on literacy and use those forums to advocate for enabling policies and government support in support of RtR literacy program.
• Participate in the district and block level discussions organized by government counterparts and advocate for RtR approach through developing good understanding foundational literacy and reading programme. 

Training, workshop and meeting: 

• Provide technical oversight to the CRPs/BEOs and support them in their coaching and communication with teachers and schools. Identify gaps in their capabilities and plan for their capacity building in discussion with the State and Country office team.
• Act as the resource person with respect to teacher training and capacity building. Assist in planning for all teacher trainings at the district/state level.
• Conduct monthly review meeting with BEO and CRPs at block level. 

Program coordination and monitoring: 

• Responsible for managing the implementation of the Literacy program for the set of schools under his/her jurisdiction, ensuring timely, efficient and well-coordinated implementation, adhering to the program and budget guidelines.
• Collate and analyze program data and school information emanating from the field, develop programmatic co-relations and flag off issues for larger discussion.
• Ensure that all program schools receive books, materials at the appropriate time.
• Ensure program data entry and compilation on monthly, quarterly and yearly basis. Maintain high level of data quality. 

School visits: 

• Make regular visits to program schools, observe classroom transactions, library activities, and speak to teachers and headmasters in coordination with Cluster Resource Person (CRP).
• Observe and coach teacher by using structured observation form during regular school support visit and develop their academic understanding in the reading practices in schools in coordination with CRP. 

Qualifications: 

Required: 

• Bachelor Degree in education / social sciences or equivalent required.
• Master Degree in education / social sciences or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience in the development sector.
• In-depth knowledge about language and reading practices and approaches.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and a team player.
• Proven track record of achieving results.
• Proven ability to work effectively with schools and communities.
• Ability to travel regularly to project sites in remote locations.
• Knowledge of Kannada. 

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 a dynamic non-profit organization.
• Be innovative and creative – not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so.
• Have a solution-oriented approach.
• 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: 

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include a 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. All personnel are expected to adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Code of Conduct. 

Application Procedure: 

Kindly CLICK HERE to submit the application. 

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

Read. Regret the inconvenience. Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to

identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. We always

encourage women to apply.