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.

The Senior Communications Officer will lead internal and external communication, outreach, and donor engagement of Room to Read Vietnam. The Senior Communications Officer is a member of the Extended Country Management Team and will report to the Country Director. The incumbent will work in close coordination with the Program teams (Literacy Portfolio and Gender Equality Portfolio). For Donor engagement s/he will work in close coordination with the Global Development team. The incumbent will also closely coordinate with the Global Marketing and Donor Communications Team.

Responsibilities

Communication and public relations

• Develop a Vietnam-specific communications strategy aligned with the Country Strategy, reflecting the organization’s long-term strategic objectives and the needs of key stakeholders, including government, donors, development NGOs, corporate partners, and academic institutions.

• Lead the development of high-quality content and materials for external outreach. This includes producing quarterly newsletters with written, photo, and videos stories that showcase our impact; managing content for Room to Read Vietnam’s social media channels; contributing content to the global website; and supporting local and global awareness campaigns across various media channels.

• Partner with business development colleagues on cause-marketing partnerships, pitches, and promotional materials. Identify, hire, supervise, and train external vendors to support material development for the Global Office and donor reporting.

• Work with the Country Management Team and business development colleagues to build strategic partnerships with organizations and communities that increase Room to Read’s brand visibility and strengthen advocacy impact, especially through NGO working groups in education, publishing, and gender equality.

• Develop a Vietnam-specific press plan aligned with global standards and collect monthly news and articles related to Room to Read. Provide guidance on country-level press releases, ensure media visibility for Room to Read events and achievements, and secure targeted press placements and speaking opportunities for senior leadership to broaden exposure and support pipeline development.

• Serve as Room to Read’s spokesperson for local and international media. Work closely with the Country Management Team and Program Directors to strengthen public speaking skills, reinforce brand messaging, and prepare team leaders to share thought leadership in press interviews and public events.

• Collaborate with Program and Operations Directors, the RME team, and the Administration team to develop high-quality program branding products, branding guidelines for Program teams, and agreed messaging on program achievements, outcomes, and assessment results for external communication.

• Develop and manage internal communications to ensure organizational initiatives and projects are effectively communicated to employees, coordinators, and volunteers. Ensure internal messages are consistent with external communications and aligned across channels and departments.

• Coordinate with the Country Management Team to plan and manage internal and external communications during crisis situations that may affect the organization’s perception and reputation.

Fundraising and donor engagement

• Identify donor opportunities and steward key relationships in the Vietnam market. Support Global Office relationship management by providing accurate and timely information for pitches, proposal development, and reporting; supporting special corporate program initiatives in-country; and addressing country-level public relations needs related to partnerships.

• Plan, coordinate, and host donor, media, and corporate employee engagement visits. Work with Program teams and vendors to manage visit activities and logistics, including coordination protocols and checklists.

• Train staff involved in these visits on key messages, communicating results, responding to questions, and using appropriate non-verbal communication.

Administration management

• Manage the communications and donor engagement budget, including planning, budgeting, cash forecasting, and expenditure tracking.

• Maintain databases of Room to Read Vietnam stakeholder contacts, awards, branding materials, and written and visual documentation, including stories, photos, and videos.

• Serve as a member of the Extended Country Management Team and contribute to the development and drafting of the Country Strategic Plan.

• Respond to specific requests related to Room to Read’s work from the Global Office, Asia Regional Office, and Vietnam Office.
  

Qualifications:

Required:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as communications, journalism, social work, development, international relations, tourism, or marketing.

• At least five years of professional experience in communications, preferably within the development sector.

• Excellent writing, editing, and proofreading skills, with the ability to source and develop compelling stories for national and international audiences.

• Strong public speaking skills, with the ability to present to external stakeholders and staff, communicate the organization’s goals and values, and train employees in communications and donor engagement.

• Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with external stakeholders, internal departments, and staff at all levels, from field staff to senior executives.

• Creative and critical thinking skills, with the ability to develop innovative, impactful communications and outreach materials.

• Strong project management skills, with the ability to coordinate goals, resources, and timelines across multiple projects under pressure.

• Familiarity with information technology, especially digital communications tools and platforms.

• Good knowledge and understanding of Vietnam, particularly education and development issues.

Compensation:

We are committed to building and sustaining an engaged workforce through competitive compensation packages and generous benefits. Benefits vary based on the local requirements and best practices in the country where the position is based, but all employees are provided with comprehensive medical coverage, and paid time off, which we strongly encourage employees to use.

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