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 7.8 million children by constructing more than
1,600 schools, establishing over 15,000 libraries, publishing 874 new
children’s book titles in 27 local languages, and reaching over 20,000 girls
through our Girls’ Education program.
Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7
million and our global staff numbers over 600. 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 Country Director Advisor is the formal business
consultant to the Country Director, the highest position in Room to Read’s
in-country organizational structure. This position shares responsibility
for overseeing in-country efforts in the strategic and tactical execution of
implementation, coordination, development, expansion, and monitoring and
evaluation of current and prospective work. The shared duties will
include; program implementation, organizational development, supporting key
partner relationship development and maintenance, community relations building
and training, program, financial, and donor reporting, and managing the project
funds in accordance with the organization’s procedures. The Country Director
Advisor will report to the Chief of International Operations.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Monitors,
evaluates and advises the CD’s overall management, development and
implementation activities of all programs and country administrative
responsibilities to recommend the most appropriate courses of action
- Monitors,
evaluates and advises the CD on his direction of the Country Management
Team and other appropriate staff, providing them with all the necessary
assistance to ensure that program activities are carried out in alliance
with headquarter requirements and in a timely manner with attention to
quality
- Monitors,
evaluates and consults during regular CD staff meetings to assess
organizational progress and communicate updates and developments as needed
- Communicates
in conjunction with the CD, all program-related activities, issues and
updates to the Regional office and/or headquarters as appropriate and seek
approval for budget activities and any related program developments
- Consults
with the CD on the recruitment and training of staff
- Consults
with the CD and HR when writing consultant agreement terms and overseeing
their work
- Advises
the CD when he is conducting staff appraisals.
- Advises
the CD when he is identifying and supporting staff capacity building needs
- Accompanies
the CD on project site visits as needed to consult regarding program
implementation and, school management team and local authorities
discussions. Gathers feedback and consults with the CD to ensure
communities deliver on their portion of the challenge grant and on all terms
of agreement with Room to Read.
- Consults
with the CD to provide organizational oversight and logistical support of
program related activities
- Consults
with the CD to oversee annual monitoring and evaluation projects
- Develop
ideas that address organizational priorities and advises the CD to conduct
strategic and operational planning exercises
- Consult
with the CD and relevant in-country and headquarter staff to strengthen
and improve program impact and sustainability.
- Consult
with the CD and the Finance/Admin Manager to manage the organization’s
legal compliance
- Participate
in any other activities, which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill
the objectives of the organization.
- Work
in conjunction with the CD to represent Room to Read to external parties
in country
- During
any period of an extended absence by the Country Director, the Advisor
will be delegated full authority of the Country Director by the Chief of
International Operations.
- Performs
other duties as assigned
Meetings/Networking:
- As an
Advisor to the CD, explore opportunities for partnerships and knowledge
sharing with NGOs, experts and institutions involved in related education
initiatives
- As an
Advisor to the CD, develop and manage relationships with other NGO’s,
government officials and appropriate educational facilities/authorities;
schedule and attend meetings with them as needed to coordinate planning
and implementation of projects
- Represent
Room to Read at relevant meetings and assist in planning and hosting donor
visits
Qualifications:
Required:
- Related
B.S/B.A. or equivalent degree, master’s degree preferred
- A
minimum of ten years of professional experience in the related field
- Good
knowledge and understanding of operational issues, including project
management, fiscal integrity, strategic and tactical planning and
implementation, resource management
- Strong
planning, budgetary, supervising, and program development skills
- Ability
to travel frequently to provinces throughout the Region
- Strong
verbal and written communication skills in English
- Proven
track record of achieving results
- Strong
leadership skills
- Strong
organization and people management skills
Preferred:
- Advanced
degree in a related field, ie. education, development
- Prior
experience living and/or working in rural areas
- Prior
experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government
officials
- Experience
in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks as well as
developing and implementing improvements in a prior position
- Experience
developing and/or implementing large-scale literacy initiatives
- General
management experience
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 an up-and-coming
non-profit 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:
Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent
benefits. 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 the lifelong gift of education.
Application Procedure:
Please send a cover letter and resume by email, with “CD
Advisor” in the subject line, (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to hiring@roomtoread.org. Due to high
applicant volume we regret that we cannot send personalized responses to all
applicants. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.
Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer
committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people
from diverse backgrounds.
