Position Overview:

The primary responsibilities of the Program Manager, Quality Reading Materials is to ensure our Literacy Program schools are supplied with engaging, relevant, and reading-level appropriate books and materials that support the development of reading skills and a habit of reading. This includes leading technical assistance efforts on children’s literature with governments, networking with publishers and industry bodies, development of resources on children’s literature and leading co-publishing initiative. Achieving these goals involves working with the Instructional Design and Library Support unit to identify the reading material needs of schools and surveying the books available in the market to fill those needs.  Where gaps exist in available books for purchase, the Program Manager, Quality Reading Materials is responsible for coordinating all aspects of Room to Read’s publishing initiatives including sourcing original content, reviewing, editing, producing and negotiating agreements.  S/he will also be required to form networks within the publishing industry to gauge local market trends and promote Room to Read as a key player in children’s book publishing.  The position will require some travel within and involves frequent interaction with authors, illustrators, publishers, printers, and officials.  The position will report directly to the Literacy Director.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Management, Contextualization, Training and Coordination (75%)

[QRM]

• Responsible for the overall Quality Reading Materials and book publishing tasks, especially in identifying the ideal book list, gap analysis process and coordination with other units to identify needs.
• Responsible for identifying the criteria for engaging relevant and culturally appropriate supplementary reading materials for primary school grades creating an ideal book list and materials list in order to keep pace with the mainstream education scenario.
• Establish guidelines for authors and illustrators to produce original, high-quality content that is appropriate for target age groups, suitable for the local cultural context and functional as a tool for education.
• Prepare session plans and conduct sessions of the writers’ and illustrators’ workshops.
• Work with local authors and illustrators for developing or sourcing manuscripts and artworks to mentor and advise them on story development, reviewing, editing and finalizing for publishing.
• Edit and proofread manuscripts and storybooks in order to ensure lucidity of language, correct spelling, appropriate storytelling and quality illustrations.
• Write and edit Global Publications and adaptations as required and instructed by GO.
• Lead technical assistance efforts on children’s literature with governments
• Supervise design and layout, DTP, and pre-press works of the LLP titles and instruction materials.
• Assist Literacy Director in ensuring government approvals for RtR and non-RtR books and materials
• Management of titles shared on Literacy Cloud and other digital platforms.
• Support campaigns/events that promote high-quality children's literature, as part of the overall literacy program.
• Cooperate with Administration in entering into copyright agreements with selected writers and illustrators for RtR storybooks and upload the agreements in GSD for archival.
• Upload, in GSD and Room to Read (GO) Onedrive, the Adaptations as well as New Titles in the required design formats for GO feedback and approval for final print.
• Ensure that global QRM guidelines including book development procedures and approval processes are being adhered to and adapted as needed.

[COLLABORATION WITH IDTS]

• Collaborate with IDTS unit to develop engaging instruction resources and materials through review, editing and pre-press support.
• Coordinate with IDTS team for recommendations on improving book content and layouts before submitting final drafts to Literacy Director for approval.
• Prescribe appropriate texts and illustrations from the LLP books to work as standalone decodable as well as describable content in the Student Books and Teacher Guides.
• Provide inputs to RtR overall printing and publication works and help uphold expected standards for RtR print materials.
• Attending teachers’ training workshops as resource person to facilitate session on book leveling, book sourcing and usage of books in the RtR libraries.

[LIBRARY]

• Responsible for selecting library books and materials for procurement from the marketplace that meet the criteria as per QRM operations guideline.
• Generate year-specific list of books for purchase and distribution by calculating required number of books during the AP&B exercise based on the number and size of the target schools.
• Develop and maintain Book Distribution Excel Tool every year for segregated list of and required number of books (both RtR published and purchased books) based on student numbers in the different batch schools, the IBC Tool, and the Book Procurement Tool.
• Provide support to the field offices in planning school-level book distribution of RtR and non-RtR books for the classroom libraries.
• Lead book labeling with color strips/level colors for both RtR and non-RtR books in collaboration with CO Program Operations Team and the field offices.

Planning, Budgeting, Reporting, and Documentation (15%)

• In collaboration with CO Program Operations Team, create, implement and analyze annual program goals and budgets to ensure alignment with organizational strategies and priorities.
• Collaborate with the CO Program Operations Team on development of the implementation calendar, budget, annual planning, monthly implementation updates (MIU), quarterly reports, and overall tracking of the program implementation and spending.
• Prepare monthly forecast and complete monthly expense reports.
• Review and ensure approvals of Purchase Requisition, specifications and event budgets, and coordinate with Administration for procurement.
• Complete detailed written reports in a timely basis to Global Office regarding the status and progress of printing books and materials.
• Put in GSD the data and information about new title editions, genres, number of books printed (print runs) and number of books distributed to the RtR schools.
• Review best practices and lessons learned documented and share with Literacy Director, Country Director and appropriate GO based Program Staff.
• Provide information about titles that are coming to print and send copies of books once they are printed.

External Coordination and Networking (10 %)

• Establish and manage relationships with other NGOs, government officials and local educational facilities/authorities.
• Represent Room to Read in different forums and advocate the importance of reading and the need for quality children’s reading materials.
• Stay informed about the CO’s children’s book publishing industry, investigating major children’s book publishers and local market demand
• Track changes in market trends with respect to content, format, types, age/grade levels, themes, language, etc., and use this information to evaluate and inform Room to Read’s publishing initiatives
• Build partnerships with organizations and associations involved with children’s books (NGOs involved with content development, writers’ groups, creative writing departments of universities, etc.) with the goal of becoming a key player in this community.
• Liaise with other teams of the Global Office to coordinate workflows and share program information.
• Participate in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization, and any other responsibilities assigned by the Literacy Director.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, Fine-arts, Administration, Social Science, Project Management, or related fields. 
• Minimum of 10 years related work experience with at least 5 years in similar position
• Prior experience working in the book publishing industry, preferably related to children’s books
• Strong editorial skills, with a demonstrated eye for visual design
• Understanding of bilingual and multi-lingual issues
• Excellent knowledge, experience, and understanding of the story development and creative writing process, preferably for beginning reader books
• Strong planning, budgeting/financial management, administrative, supervisory, coaching and program development skills
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• High commitment and trustworthy person
• Work more effectively in problem solving and delegation approach
• Ability to stay in the field and travel to designated project sites
• Proven track record of achieving results
• Experience in leadership and management roles
• Computer literate (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Analytical and critical thinking skills,
• Workshop/training and facilitation skill,
• Report writing experience,
• Networking and good interpersonal skills
• Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
• Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
• Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization
• Proven track record of achieving results
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative
• Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials.
• Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks as well as developing and implementing improvements in a prior position.

To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also: 

• Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic non-profit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker – not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction 
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

     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 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.

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.

Compensation:

We offer a competitive salary. The benefits include:

• Provident Fund
• 13th Month Allowance
• Gratuity
• Health coverage for staff and dependents
• Insurances
• Professional Development opportunities. The most significant benefit is the opportunity to work with one of the fastest growing international organizations, which has sole focus on education & continuously innovating efficient & effective social entrepreneurship.

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates meeting the above requirements should apply online https://osv-rtr.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/RoomToRead/job/Bangladesh---Main---Dhaka/Program-Manager--Quality-Reading-Materials_R-02721 on or before 29 September 2024. Any persuasion attempt will disqualify your candidacy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply”