Job Opportunity for Social Mobilizer at Room to Read in India – Maharashtra

## Social Mobilizer – Girls’ Education Program (GEP)

 

**About Room to Read**

 

Room to Read is an international non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality through education. We achieve this goal by supporting children in historically low-income communities to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and by empowering girls to succeed in school and navigate key life decisions. We collaborate with governments and partner organizations to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. Room to Read has impacted the lives of over 39 million children across 23 countries and more than 182,000 communities.

 

**Job Location:** India – Maharashtra

 

**Position Overview:**

 

The Girl’s Education Program (GEP) is currently operating in 6 States across India – Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, New Delhi, Uttarakhand, Telangana, and Maharashtra. The program aims to increase years of schooling for girls and enhance their self-awareness, decision-making, and problem-solving skills. Social Mobilizers play a crucial role in implementing the GEP at the field level. They are the primary point of contact for the girls, schools, and parents, making them vital to the program’s success. This position will be field-based, requiring the Social Mobilizer to mentor, support, and motivate a group of approximately 80 girls.

 

**Role and Responsibilities:**

 

**Program Planning and Implementation:**

 

* Develop a comprehensive understanding of Room to Read’s GEP design, objectives, and outcomes.

* Implement program activities according to the design while maintaining fidelity.

* Incorporate feedback from supervisors and make necessary adjustments to life skills sessions.

* Participate actively in program planning in consultation with the Program Associate and other state-level staff.

* Attend mandatory weekly and monthly workshops for planning and review.

 

**Family and Community Engagement:**

 

* Demonstrate a thorough understanding of social issues, safety concerns, and child protection issues affecting girl participants.

* Possess knowledge of available social safety net mechanisms, schemes, and referral services.

* Organize and lead family and community meetings and consultations with school staff, parents, and community members/organizations.

* Effectively discuss life skill content and relevant issues, particularly sensitive topics like early marriage and attending school during menstruation.

* Seek networking opportunities at the local level and build a resource pool for referrals.

* Facilitate visits from donors, INCO, and SO team members.

* Assist SO/INCO team members in conducting research, surveys, studies, data collection, and baseline assessments.

 

**Working with Girls:**

 

* Conduct life skills sessions for 90 girls in batches of 20-30, following prescribed session content and agreed plans.

* Provide each girl with a minimum of 16 life skills sessions per year.

* Demonstrate a strong understanding of reproductive health content and the ability to deliver it tactfully, addressing parental queries and concerns.

* Establish Life Skills Clubs/Children groups and facilitate regular meetings and discussions.

* Encourage girl participants to develop skills in articulation and self-expression and to take action on issues they face.

* Distribute the newsletter “GUPSHUP” and initiate discussions and follow-up activities.

* Support girls in creating wall magazines and writing for the state-level “Gupshup.”

 

**Mentoring:**

 

* Conduct group mentoring sessions for 90 girls in batches of 10-15, following prescribed content guidelines and recording each session.

* Plan group mentoring sessions in collaboration with the Program Associate, considering the girls’ expressed needs.

* Conduct individual mentoring sessions as needed.

* Develop new content if required to address challenges faced by girls.

 

**Setting up Life Skills Centers/Gender Resource Centers:**

 

* Establish a Gender Resource Center (GRC) for life skills in schools or communities.

* Ensure the GRC operates effectively and is used as intended in consultation with state GEP teams.

* Maintain a clean, safe, and welcoming space for girls.

* Regularly update the GRC with drawings, articles, and expressions of children’s voices.

 

**Home Visits:**

 

* Map data according to the risk and response protocol and conduct specific home visits.

* Track each girl’s progress, identify risks, flag concerns, suggest solutions, and motivate girls to take necessary action.

* Employ analytical and strategic thinking skills to prevent girls from dropping out.

* Conduct regular school visits and handle any critical matters arising from these interactions.

* Organize/conduct programmatic activities at school and community levels, manage relationships with schools and communities, and address issues promptly.

 

**Record Keeping, Reporting, and Monitoring:**

 

* Maintain updated records of attendance and parent meetings.

* Prepare and submit weekly plans during weekly reviews.

* Ensure timely record keeping, data updates, and analysis of parameters like attendance sheets, parent meetings, and dropouts.

* Complete socio-economic profiles of the girls.

* Conduct regular physical verification of girls on a sample basis.

* Conduct periodic cohort risk assessments, analyze the results, and flag issues of concern.

* Undertake risk mapping of the entire cohort, particularly during transitions from Grade 8 and Grade 11.

* Identify case studies of girls, schools, communities, and best practices, and gather related data and information.

* Maintain stock registers at school/center level and provide supervisors with a list of materials required for the girls.

 

**Qualifications & Experience:**

 

* Bachelor’s degree in Education/Social Sciences or equivalent.

* Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in the education/development sector, including internships.

* Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, Hindi, and Marathi.

 

**Preferred Qualifications:**

 

* Master’s degree in Education/Social Sciences or equivalent.

* Counseling diploma and/or experience in mentoring/counseling.

* Experience working on life skills, gender, and adolescents.

* Strong planning and project implementation skills.

* Ability to work in remote areas and travel to communities for meetings.

* Proven ability to work effectively with schools and communities.

* Excellent written and oral communication skills.

* Strong interpersonal skills and a team player.

 

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

 

* Be passionate about our mission and dedicated to making a positive impact on a dynamic non-profit organization.

* Embrace innovation and creativity, willing to try new approaches and inspire others.

* Possess a solution-oriented mindset.

* Exhibit a high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.

* Demonstrate a strong work ethic and require minimal direction.

* Work effectively independently and as part of a team.

* Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment.

 

**Compensation:**

 

The salary range for this position will be determined based on 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, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through the lifelong gift of education. Room to Read is a child-safe organization.