Job Description

World Change Starts with Educated Children®

IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.

Position Overview

The Associate, Literacy Field will be stationed at the Zilla Parishad, Pune, to provide technical assistance to the district administration in strengthening foundational literacy and library programmes. The role supports government systems in planning, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and effective utilization of government resources while serving as the key coordination point between Room to Read and government stakeholders. The position will report to Lead, Implementation.

Responsibilities

Government Liaison & Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary liaison between Room to Read and key government stakeholders, including Zilla Parishad, SCERT Maharashtra, Balbharati, DIETs, Block Education Offices, and other education departments.
• Lead coordination with SCERT Maharashtra and Balbharati for the book vetting process, securing approvals, permissions, and clearances for inclusion of Room to Read books in school libraries.
• Facilitate government approvals, official communications, and documentation required for programme implementation.
• Build and sustain strong working relationships with district and state education officials.
• Represent Room to Read in government meetings, workshops, consultations, and review forums.
• Coordinate with government departments to ensure timely execution of programme activities.
• Support integration of literacy interventions within the government education system.
• Track government commitments, approvals, and action points to ensure programme deliverables are completed.

Programme Implementation, Quality Assurance & Capacity Building

• Support district teams in implementing the Literacy Programme across schools.
• Ensure quality implementation of teacher training, mentoring, classroom support, and library interventions.
• Conduct school visits, classroom observations, and implementation reviews.
• Plan and facilitate capacity-building programmes for teachers, CRPs, school leaders, and education officials.
• Strengthen the capacity of Zilla Parishad officials on foundational literacy and library development.
• Identify implementation gaps and provide technical support to district teams.
• Promote evidence-based literacy practices aligned with the Science of Reading.

District Programme Coordination & Implementation Support

• Support district-level planning, review meetings, and programme execution.
• Coordinate with Programme Associates to ensure timely implementation of planned activities.
• Resolve implementation challenges with district teams.
• Monitor programme progress and recommend corrective actions.
• Support effective use of teaching-learning materials and library resources.
• Collaborate with internal teams to improve programme quality and learning outcomes.

Reporting & Documentation

• Coordinate preparation and submission of programme reports to Room to Read and government stakeholders.
• Review, edit, and consolidate reports received from district teams.
• Ensure timely submission of reports, presentations, and programme updates.
• Maintain programme documentation and reporting trackers.
• Analyse programme data to support planning, monitoring, and decision-making.

Fund Planning & Utilization

• Support district planning for utilization of government funds for literacy and library development.
• Advise on effective allocation and utilization of funds to maximize programme impact.
• Monitor fund utilization and identify opportunities for improved efficiency.
• Recommend strategies to strengthen library infrastructure, reading resources, and literacy activities through government schemes.
• Support preparation of fund utilization plans and related documentation.

Qualifications

Required

• Master’s degree in education / social sciences or equivalent preferred.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the education sector. Minimum 2 years of program management experience, preferably in education
• In-depth knowledge of foundational literacy, language and reading practices and approaches.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Critical thinking and analytical skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and a team player.
• Prior experience of managing a large team.
• Proven track record of achieving results and managing large stake projects is preferred.
• Proven ability to work effectively with schools and communities.
• Ability to travel regularly to project sites in remote locations.

Compensation

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include thirteenth month bonus, health insurance and a retirement plan. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries on literacy and gender equality in education.

Room to Read is a child-safe organization.

Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

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

Child Protection Principles

• Room to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation
• Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation.
• All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse.
• All children should be treated with respect and dignity.
• The well-being of the child is Room to Read’s first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse.
• Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices.

Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Principles

• Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse.
• Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse.
• Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated.
• All adults should be treated with respect and dignity.
• Room to Read implements a survivor-centered approach, putting the survivor’s rights and dignity at the forefront.
• Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.

About Room to Read: 

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children’s libraries filled with diverse children’s books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions.

We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender-equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries.

Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.