Assistant, Gender Equality Portfolio

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 Program Assistant (PA) will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Project Sampoorna at the district levels as well as will render technical support to the state team on the gender mainstreaming initiative of the organization. The position involves close coordination with government stakeholders, partner NGOs, schools, and communities. The Program Assistant will support partnership management, organize events and capacity-building workshops and teacher training, identify and mentor local champions, and ensure timely documentation and reporting of activities. The role requires extensive field engagement, relationship management, and strong organizational skills. The position will report to the Program Officer. The position will report to Officer and base location will be Giridih, Jharkhand.

Responsibilities: Partnership & Program

Management: Build and maintain strong partnerships with NGOs, CBOs, and local institutions involved in Project Sampoorna's implementation. Prepare monthly and quarterly program progress reports, case studies, and success stories. Maintain systematic documentation of meetings, events, and field visits. With the Support of the Program Officer, ensure the implementation of the Sampoorna 2.o activities in the implementation districts. Provide technical oversight to the Block level and cluster level Govt officials. Identify areas of improvement and learning in their capabilities and plan capacity-building activities in discussion with State Team. Curriculum

Development and Training/ Event Management: Plan and organize offline/online workshops, consultations and meetings with partners, teachers and government officials. Manage logistics including invitations, venues, materials, and documentation, briefs, presentations, and program updates for stakeholders. Ensure events are effectively executed with visibility for Project Sampoorna. Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and regular feedback sessions with students, teachers, and stakeholders. Capture field insights and share learnings with the program team to inform planning.

Government & Stakeholder Management: Liaise with district and Block officials to ensure alignment with government priorities. Represent RtR in meetings, consultations, and policy discussions and all district level Sampoorna related meetings/ calls. Plan and organize trainings, workshops, consultations, and district-level events including the event with govt. representation. Rendering technical support to the state team toward building the gender mainstreaming narrative in the overall work of the state including the work around SPMU etc. Build a strong understanding of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program, theory of change, frameworks, and tools, and orient the team accordingly. Any other responsibilities assigned by the state head/Program Officer.

Qualifications: Required: Master’s degree in education/social work/development/Gender Studies or equivalent. Minimum 2-3 years of relevant work experience in areas of girls' education, gender, life skills, Social Emotional Learning and govt engagement . Prior experience of living and/or working in rural and semi-urban areas. Prior experience of working in Jharkhand would be beneficial especially in life skills and gender space. Previous experience working closely with schoolteachers and government. This position requires extensive travel to district/block levels. Good interpersonal skills and a team player. Proficient in MS Office for reporting purposes. Previous experience working closely with diverse groups of people. Good knowledge of Hindi and English.

Preferred: Strong interpersonal and partnership-building skills. Event management and facilitation abilities. Good documentation and reporting skills Proficiency in MS Office, data analysis skills are an advantage. Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in fast-paced environments.

Compensation: Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include a 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 and 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. Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read is creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality through education. Thank you for considering a career with Room to Read. I was first attracted to Room to Read because of the mission to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. What I have found here is the joy in working with a group of extraordinary people towards this bold goal. In my work, I aim to shape an inclusive and supportive organizational culture where everyone feels valued and respected, and where we each thrive. Our team members are our greatest asset, and I am personally committed to creating an environment that supports both personal and professional growth and empowers individuals from everywhere in the world to contribute their best. I hope you will join us in creating a better, more equal world. Cynthia Orme Chief People and Technology Officer