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 Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E) Officer provides technical and operational support to the Senior Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E) Manager to ensure that all RM&E activities are implemented with high quality, accountability, and efficiency.

The role leads monitoring activities, data collection, data management, evaluation design, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and reporting, translating data into actionable insights that support evidence-based decision-making and continuous program improvement. The Senior RM&E Officer also contributes to the development and adaptation of evaluation methodologies and frameworks, ensuring the quality, rigor, and integrity of research and evaluation processes.

As the country office focal point for data systems, including the Global Solution Database (GSD), the Senior RM&E Officer strengthens data quality, supports field monitoring, and promotes the effective use of data for organizational learning and program improvement. The role works closely with program teams, government counterparts, and other stakeholders to support capacity building, strengthen technical collaboration, and ensure the timely collection, analysis, and use of high-quality data.

The position is based in the Country Office in Vientiane, Laos, with frequent travel to project areas, and reports to the Senior RM&E Manager.

Responsibilities

Evaluation Design, Analysis and Reporting:

• Lead the design of the internal Room to Read Laos’ evaluation and assessment methodologies, including adapting and developing frameworks in consultation with the Senior RM&E Manager.
• Lead quantitative and qualitative data analysis, applying robust statistical methods to produce high-quality reports and actionable insights
• Assist in identifying and resolving data quality issues, methodological gaps, and escalating issues as needed including partner-collected data.

Government & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as the technical focal point for government counterparts and partner institutions, building and maintaining effective working relationships.
• Coordinate with program, program operations team and government counterparts to ensure compliance with approval processes and facilitate the timely implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities.
• Support the technical capacity building of government counterparts through mentoring, coaching, and guidance on data collection, quality assurance, and data analysis.
• Laise with Global office on RM&E related tasks as needed.

Monitoring & Data Quality

• Oversee the data quality of program monitoring tools including Program Implementation Monitoring (PIM), Student Tracking, and Risk & Response across primary and secondary schools.
• Conduct field visits to verify that data quality at schools and field sites meets organizational standards, including with government-collected data.
• Prepare tools and materials and lead the execution of evaluation and monitoring tasks.
• Facilitate or co-facilitate data collection training for researchers (including government researchers) and enumerators and supervise them during field data collection.
• Assess data collector and researcher competency and lead daily field team meetings to give and receive feedback that improves data quality.
• Support the implementation of all assessments, global indicators, and other RM&E unit activities, including direct data collection for quality-control purposes.
• Support the Sr RM&E Manager in facilitating “Learning to Action” / findings-dissemination meetings with program teams

Global Solution Database (GSD) Management

• Serve as the primary GSD focal point at the country level
• Provide training, coaching, and ongoing support to program teams on data entry, validation, and extraction
• Review and ensure timely and accurate data entry into GSD by designated data entry staff, in line with organizational guidelines and reporting timelines
• Liaise with the Global Office GSD support team to stay updated on system improvements and requirements, and cascade updates internally
• Support data use for reporting (monthly, quarterly, annual) and program learning

Planning and Budgeting

• Prepare budgets, cash forecasts, and advance requests for RM&E activities
• Monitor RM&E-related expenditures to ensure alignment with approved budgets and organizational policies

Networking and Thought Leadership

• Represent RM&E in relevant networks and forums to share learning and strengthen collaboration
• Contribute to knowledge sharing by documenting and disseminating best practices and key findings to support program improvement

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's degree in statistics, data science, mathematics, program evaluation, international development, computer science, or a related field (master’s preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years’ working experience in RM&E with international NGOs;
• Strong knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and research methodologies, including key statistics relevant to RM&E work.
• Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Stata, SPSS, Power BI) and digital data collection platforms (e.g., KoboToolbox, google form, etc).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and data quality assurance skills.
• Ability to build effective relationships with government counterparts and other stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational, communication, report writing, and presentation skills in Lao and English.
• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and willing to learn and travel as required.
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English, and strong presentation skills

Preferred:

• Passion for Room to Read's mission and a commitment to making a meaningful impact on the nonprofit sector.
• Creative, innovative, and proactive, with strong initiative and the ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, multi-task, ad-hoc and purpose-driven environment.
• Experience building the technical capacity of government counterparts and representing the organization in technical forums and stakeholder meetings
• High standards of personal and professional integrity, accountability, and reliability
• Experience using organizational databases and data management systems

Compensation

Room to Read Laos values the commitment of our staff, and offers a professional & respected working environment, competitive monthly salary and other benefits such as annual salary review, a Wellbeing allowance, 13th month salary bonus, gratuity bonus, performance bonus, Staff Medical Insurance, Social Security Organization (SSO), annual medical check-up, phone allowance and other leave benefits based on Lao Labour Law.

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

Room to 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.

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.

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

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.

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