Reading Room Program Manager, Laos

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 Reading Room Program Manager is responsible for managing the implementation of Room to Read’s library program activities, including site surveys for new schools, training, provision of materials, , monitoring, and project reporting. S/he will travel frequently to all the provinces where Room to Read works, as well as having regular interactions with government officers, school administrators, teachers and pupils. S/he will directly report to the Program Director.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation of annual plans and budgets for the RR program;
• Coordinate and lead monthly, and quarterly planning of program activities with POs and PAs in line with the requirements of the IC and Annual Plan;
• Ensure timely monthly and quarterly budget forecasts are provided to Finance;
• Provide technical support to the RR team members to build their capacity in implementing program activities;
• Coordinate with Local Language Publication, Literacy Instruction and School Room for cross program coordination activities and Provincial Office in line with the RtR Literacy Strategy and Convergence Planning, and ensure POs and PAs do so when required;
• Actively involve DEB, PES and other partners in planning, implementing and monitoring RR activities to help build their capacity so they better support and sustain program work;
• Coordinate with Communication, Human Resources, Administration, RM&E, Provincial Office and Finance for relevant activities to improve the effectiveness of the RR program;
• Keep up to date with current international and national policies, research, guidelines, and practices in primary education, especially those related to libraries, to share initiatives with RR and partners for program activities that enhance the impact of the Reading Room program;
• Maintain regular communication with Regional and Global Offices on program activities, budget and other issues to provide common understanding of the Reading Room program, and collaborate in activities to improve program impact on children’s habit of reading.

Qualifications

• Master Degree in Education, Social Science, Project Management or other related fields;
• Minimum 5 years of working experience in the international NGOs in the education or social development areas as well as require to have experience in leadership and management of staff;
• Good knowledge and understanding of education issues including teaching methodologies;
• Ability to plan and manage a budget, solving problems, delegation
• Experience in training and providing support through coaching;
• Good communication, high commitment and trustworthy;
• Good command in Lao and English (both written and oral);
• Good computer skill (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Ability to travel frequently to our target provinces.

To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker that tries new things and inspires 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 each position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. 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 literacy and gender equality in education.

Application Procedure:

If you think you are qualified in any of these posts, please submit your cover letter and CV through email:
Laos@roomtoread.org. In case, you cannot reach us through email, you can post and send it to the centre office in the address: P.O Box 11607, Ban Watnak 092, Unit 5 Sisattanak District, Vientiane Lao PDR. Importantly, please write down a name of position you have applied; details of job description, you can visit web site: www.roomtoread.org. Female, provincial/local or ethnic people are encouraged to apply

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