Program Manager, Reading & Writing Instruction, Sri Lanka

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 7 million children by constructing more than 1,600 schools, establishing over 15,000 libraries, publishing 800 new children’s book titles in 11 local languages, and rewarding over 20,000 girls with long-term, holistic scholarships.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7 million and our global staff numbers over 500. 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 and program offices in Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane. 

Position Overview:

The RWI Program Manager will be responsible for the planning, managing, budgeting, forecasting and spending of program activities as well as the management of program staff, Program monitoring & reporting. Ideally, (S)he is expected to have strong background knowledge of a structured instructional program with focus on reading and writing at primary school level. Having this background, s(he) will be able to provide technical and programmatic guidance to the program team and local team to ensure program components delivered are of high quality and timely on track as designed.  She) will also collaborate with other programs of Room to Read for activities to enhance further impact on children’s education. This position will be based in Colombo, Country Office with frequent travel to project locations. 

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Conduct research on reading/literacy theories and strategies for reading instruction and promotion. This will include research and understanding of the government curriculum, existing reading instruction programs, pre-service and in-service teacher professional development focused on reading/literacy training programs, etc.;
• Develop & implement program strategy, guide material development and develop training programs for the same
• Work on developing a strategic capacity building plan to raise competency of the field team that further enriches the quality of on-site support provided to teachers.
• Represent Room to read internally and externally to message our work and advocate for our beliefs and program(s) strategies.
• Organize regular consultations with governments, NGOs and other stakeholders working in the field of primary education to establish a mutually beneficial collaboration for knowledge sharing, with a specific focus on early grade literacy efforts

Qualifications:

Required:

• Possess a Bachelors/ Masters (advantageous) degree in Social Sciences or Education. This position requires strong academic/ content knowledge of teaching early reading and writing skills or/and language teaching at primary level, as well as project management skills.  
• Good knowledge and understanding of education issues, including teaching methodologies, curriculum and teaching and learning of Sinhala language in primary classrooms;
• Experience leading teams in developing and conducting training programs, preferably for primary teachers;
• A total experience of not less than seven years in  development /INGO sector having served in areas directly related to the position;
• High level of verbal and written communication skills in English and Sinhala language
• Good knowledge in MS Office packages. 

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 nonprofit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker; you’re 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. Benefits including health and a retirement plan 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 e mail your cover letter with a detailed CV together with the names & contact details of 03 non-related referees to lk.hiring@roomtoread.org or through post, to Manager – HR, Room to Read Sri Lanka, No.38, Dr. E. A Cooray Mawatha, Colombo 06. Please mention the post applied on the subject line of the e mail or top left side of the envelope. Only shortlistedcandidates will be notified. Women are highly encouraged to apply.