Job Opportunity for Program Associate, Literacy Field at Room to Read in Rajasthan

The Literacy Program Associate (LPA) assist the planning and execution for all work related to implementing Room to Read’s Literacy program at the field level (Jaipur District) 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 schools1.  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 Program Officer with respect to teacher training and capacity building of field team. The LPA will report to the Program Officer/State Manager. 

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 an strong understanding of Room to Read’s Literacy program design and the ability to defend 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.
• Have an excellent understanding of NEP 2020 and NIPUN and FLN Mission.
• Have an update about key initiatives under FLN by state Government. 

Technical assistance and advocacy

• Serve as a technical resource at the district/block level and participate proactively in technical assistance discussions. Attend government meetings, discussions and committees on literacy and use those forums to advocate for enabling policies and government orders 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 of state curriculum, text books and various education projects/programs. 
• Provide technical assistance to schools in teaching-learning by using instructional materials designed and produced especially for teachers and make suggestions for improving quality and utilization of these materials.
• Regularly communicate and work with government counterparts (SMSA, RSCERT, DIET, SSA, Education department, and others) to build awareness and understanding among them with respect to the Room to Read literacy and its main features. 

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
• Responsible for managing relationships with school, community and government counterparts in their jurisdiction and respond to issues that may arise in these relationships.  
• Collate and analyze program data and school information emanating from the field, develop programmatic co-relations and flag off issues for larger discussion. Guiding literacy coaches to analyze the data at school level and prepare school level plan with teachers.
• Assist in selecting the program schools as per program guidelines
• Ensure that all program schools receive books, materials and furniture at the appropriate time. 
• Assist Program Officer to ensure that all teacher training and capacity building activities are held as per plan and program guidelines, including the receipt of necessary approvals.
• Track progress of implementation and expenditures through regular review meetings and field visits; flag off deviations and delays at the earliest.  
• Ensure that program schools are monitored as per guidelines and the field staff perform their job effectively
• Ensure program data entry and compilation on monthly, quarterly and yearly basis, including GSD data. Maintain high level of data quality.
• Manage a set of Literacy Coaches, including their performance evaluation, capacity building and coaching.  

School visits

• Make regular visits to program schools, observe classroom transactions, library activities, speak to teachers and headmasters and supervise the functioning of the literacy coaches.
• Identify design and quality issues, including problems being faced by literacy coaches.  Discuss these issues with supervisor and based on that provide solutions at the field level. 
• Conduct informal assessment of at least 5 children during every school visit and discuss with teachers and share report to supervisors. 
• Observe and Coach Literacy Coach by using structured observation form during regular school support visit. 

Training, workshop and meeting

• Provide technical oversight to the Literacy Coaches and support them in their coaching and communication with government teachers and schools. Identify gaps in their capabilities and plan for their capacity building in discussion with the IDTS unit
• Act as the resource person with respect to teacher training and capacity building of field team.
• Assist in planning for all teacher trainings at the district/state level.
• Participate in IDTS workshops on material development, training module development and training of trainers.
• Assist PO in district level review meeting of field team, ensuring proper documentation of the meeting including follow actions.  
• Attend review meetings at the district and state/national level and provide reflective feedback on program implementation and design issues.
• Participate in key government level meeting, trainings and development workshops.    

Planning, Reporting and Documentation

• Assist PO in preparing regular (monthly, quarterly and yearly basis, including GSD data) qualitative reports and documenting case studies and best practices.  
• Assist PO in literacy program AWP&B, IC and development of program tracking system for timely and quality implementation of activities.   
• Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization. 

Qualification & Experience:

• Bachelor Degree in education / social sciences or equivalent 
• Master Degree in education / social sciences or equivalent preferred 
• Minimum 3 to 5 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.   

Preferred:

• Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people.
• Prior experience of working in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead.
• Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization.
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative.
• Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators, and State government officials.
• Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks as well as developing and implementing improvements in a prior position. 

Room to Read is a child-safe organization.

Location(s)

India – Rajasthan 

To be successful at Room to Read, you will also: 

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization 
• Be a proactive and innovative thinker who achieves results and creates positive change
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness  
• Embrace diversity and a commitment to collaboration 
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment