Manager – Literacy Program

Job Description

Position Overview:

The Manager, Literacy Program (LM) is responsible for providing technical assistance, support and supervision on all aspects of the Literacy Program (LP) including design, material development, professional development of teachers in close coordination with the Literacy Director (LD) to the LP team. LM will closely work with the field leaders to strengthen the capacity of the LP team, government officials, teachers and partner staff on reading and writing instruction, library management and reading activities to support primary grade children. LM is expected to provide support in developing the in-country LP strategy for scale in coordination with LD.

LM will ensure that PLK’s Literacy Program (LP) schools are supplied with engaging, relevant, and appropriate books and instructional materials that support the development of reading skills and a habit of reading. LM is responsible to identify the gaps that currently exist in available books for purchase, the LM is responsible for coordinating all aspects of PLK’s publishing initiatives, including sourcing original content, reviewing, editing, producing, and negotiating agreements. S/he will also be required to research and form networks within the publishing industry to gauge local market trends and promote PLK as a key player in children’s book publishing.

Overall, LM is responsible to innovate and improve the quality of the Literacy Program in coordination with LD.

Duties & Responsibilities:

The position will require performing the below-given job responsibilities not limited to:

Management and Coordination:

• Supervises, coaches and supports the LP team (Quality Reading Material – QRM and Instructional Design and Teacher Support – IDTS) to continuously improve the quality of the program

• Plans, implements and monitors activities based on approved Annual Planning and Budget (AP&B)

• Develops and implements plan to strengthen the LP team in accord with organizations’ strategy and need of the program in coordination with Literacy Director (LD), Program Operations and People Operations team.

• Coordinates with Global Office (GO) PDTA team and LD to continuously improve the quality of the program

• Manages all the reporting process and requirements related to the program for both global and country-level

• Develops and implements plans to continuously improve the quality of the program in coordination with LD, GO PDTA team, Program Operations and Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E) team

• Provides guidance and manages Ideal Book Collection (IBC) (selection, gradation and finalization) based on the QRM manual in coordination with the team

• Supports LD during the AP&B process with innovative ideas to bring/improve the quality aspect of the program with a long-term perspective

• Manages and coordinates between relevant departments and field to enhance the outreach of the program in coordination with LD

• Supports the LD in external networking with different stakeholders

Program Design, Training and Planning:

• Manages, reviews and improves LP contextualization package such as instruction materials, pupil book, teacher’s guide, library management and reading activities including digital literacy, library and audio-visual children’s learning materials, etc.

• Manages process of publishing & book development, procurement and printing process (This involves: sourcing local authors and illustrators, advising on story development, reviewing, editing, securing copyrights and ISBN codes, obtaining government approval, sending to print, etc.) as per the organization strategies and guidelines

• In coordination with the LP country team and relevant departments, manages all aspects of program design, review and implementation such as printing plan, procurement of Teaching Learning Materials (TLM) and Supplementary Reading Materials (SRM) book lists, stationery and furniture specification etc.

• Supervises and supports the team in preparing the dedication language of each book and upload them in Global Solution Database (GSD)

• Guides and supports to align the teacher training manuals with the Government’s Teacher Professional Development (TPD) policy with PLK Training package of both instructions and library

• Guides and supports educators’ professional development training of the LP team (Technical Officers, Literacy Field – LPOTs, LFs, etc.)

• In coordination with LD and LP team, develops system and process to align PLK’s instructional design and development of pupil book, decodable text, etc. with government’s new curriculum framework

• Oversees and provides technical support to the team in conducting writers’ workshop, seminars, meeting, edit (both English and Nepali even InDesign files) and feedback collection based on QRM manual/guidelines to internal and external new and old writers

• Designs short term program content and training packages based on the organization’s strategy to scale LP

• Edits Nepali languages and finalizes new book manuscripts based on QRM book development guidelines

Implementation and Monitoring:

• In coordination with LD and team, develops design-based instructional, Quality Reading Material (QRM), purchase book, stationary, registers, etc. by looking into content, language, vocabulary, instructions, activities, prescribed size, paper quality, layout design, printing and binding

• Takes a leading role in conducting training and workshop (instructions, library and QRM) quality tracking in confirmation with design and development-based content, sequences, ppt, delivery process with support from LD and Program Officers (POs)

• Conducts frequent field visits for classroom and library observation, interaction with trained teachers, headmasters, school supervisors including LFs and LP team in the field

External Coordination and Networking:

• Collaborates with the central/state/local government units/ agencies to build support for the program and identifies innovative ideas for scale

• Collaborates with like-minded organizations and institutions for a strategic partnership to achieve the PLK’s vision and mission

• Collaborates with the government to build support for the program and identify ways to supplement and augment the government curriculum

• Conducts national level advocacy activities to promote PLK’s LP learning for system-level integration

• Represents PLK by attending and speaking at relevant forums and advocates for the importance of Literacy program work

• Liaises with other NGOs running similar programs to identify areas of knowledge sharing and possible collaboration

• Represents PLK by attending and speaking at relevant forums

• Participates in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization

Required Qualification & Experience

Qualifications:

Required:

• Strictly adhere and comply with Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Code of Conduct

• Master’s degree in Education or Social Science or related field

• Minimum 7 years of professional experience in managing large scale education projects for primary grades

• Strong leadership and management skills

• Experience with reading/literacy or learning improvement programs

• Excellent knowledge and understanding of teaching methodologies, government curriculum and teacher training at the primary grade

• Experience with library programming (e.g. book selection, book leveling, library management, reading/library activities that instill a habit of reading in children).

• Experience of developing educational learning materials for students or teachers of the primary grades

• Experience of developing and conducting training programs for in-service teachers

• Experience in developing and implementing programmatic improvements

• Strong planning, supervising, and program development skills

• Understanding of monitoring, evaluation, and process documentation

• Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people and organizations

• Good understanding of government system related to primary grades, able and well versed in working and dealing with government stakeholders at the central/state/local level

• Knowledge and understanding of the local book publishing industry

• Experience in managing a printing and publication process

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in Nepali and English

• Able to type in Nepali language and is comfortable editing Nepali fonts (e.g. Preeti, Kantipur, Himali, PLK, Himalb, etc.)

• Edit stories for QRM books in Nepali language (genre, content, themes, plot, grammar, spelling, vocabularies, sentence structure etc.)

• Able to edit simple Nepali language by using InDesign files

• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in Education with specialization in Nepali

• Experience in material design, development, training, and teaching at the primary grade

• Work experience in a non-profit organization (I/NGOs)

• Prior track record of achieving results in a fast-paced, growth-oriented organization

• Experience in instructional and Supplementary material development, teacher training, student assessment (EGRA, CB-EGRA), and monitoring in the field

Compensation:

Padhnako Lagi Kotha offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits; benefits including 13th-month bonus, provident fund, medical insurance for staff and their dependents, accidental insurance for staff; leaves and staff professional development. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing, transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.

Location(s)

Nepal – PLK

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

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. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled

How to Apply

Interested applicants can visit the below link for a detailed job description and to apply for this position:

Apply Online

E-mail or drop-in applications will not be entertained for this position. In case you are not able to access our website, please send us an e-mail request to nepal.hiring@roomtoread.org

Last date for application: June 24, 2021.