Job Description
Literacy Program Officer, Literacy Field

Organization Profile

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read develops children’s foundational literacy skills, as well as life-skills that promote gender equality in 29 countries. As a leading implementer, we nurture these essential skills in children by strengthening education systems – all while honoring the dignity of every child.

Our ‘Literacy Portfolio’ supports children in developing literacy skills and a love of reading by training and coaching educators, creating quality curriculum and children’s book content in local languages, and enriching learning spaces that enable children to become independent readers.
  
Our ‘Gender Equality Portfolio’ supports all adolescents, particularly girls, to develop life skills that promote gender equality with curriculum that focuses on collaboration, resilience, leadership, decision-making and critical thinking.

Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow. Visit us at www.roomtoread.org.bd.  

Since 2009 in Bangladesh, Room to Read is implementing education support Programs in low-income and remote communities in Natore, Cox’s Bazar, Dhaka, Moulvibazar, Narail and Jhalokathi districts. Till 2024, we have supported the education of more than 2.4 million children in Primary and 3.1 million girls in Secondary schools in various capacities. We are proud to have worked with DPE, NCTB, NAPE, DSHE, a2i as well as national radio and TV in executing scalable and systemic initiatives to eradicate illiteracy and embed life-skills.

Position Overview:

The Literacy Program Officer (LPO) serves as the technical lead for literacy skills development and fostering a habit of reading at the upazila level. The LPO works in close coordination with the district field office to ensure the effective implementation of Reading Advancement activities. This role involves regular communication with Upazila Education Officers and UNOs and leads the linkage and liaison efforts with all relevant government stakeholders.

The position reports directly to the Field Manager and provides technical supervision to Literacy Facilitators. In alignment with the modified co-implementation model of the Literacy Program in the district, the specific roles and responsibilities of the LPO will be defined according to the updated implementation approach.

Roles & responsibilities:

  • Overall responsible for ensuring implementation of the modified Co-implemented Literacy Program in the assigned Literacy Portfolio schools (all activities).
  • Provide technical assistance to the head teachers, subject-wise Bangla teachers, and SRM teachers in the schools through Literacy Facilitator and direct involvement.  
  • Organize and facilitate Training of Trainers for government officials and master trainers (instruction and library), and head teachers' training on coaching support visit.
  • Provide technical support to the Master Trainers to organize and conduct (if require facilitate) teachers' training (instruction and library).
  • Organize and facilitate district and upazila level program sharing/review meeting and Program Coordination workshop.
  • Organize and facilitate meetings with Primary Training Institute (PTI)/Upazilla Resource Center (URC) officials to include LP content in the subcluster training manual, jointly prepare the training manual with PTI/URC, and provide orientation to the sub-cluster facilitators (selected teachers & Upazilla Assistant Education Officers).
  • Prepare customized training manual, standardize ToT packages & teachers’ packages (FG, PPT, Handouts, Schedule, pre- & post-test questionnaire), and related materials.
  • Provide support to prepare student workbooks (Greade-1 & 2), workbook (Teachers Edition).
  • Participating in and supporting technical review workshop, ToT on instruction and library, LP staff training, and all staff training.
  • To build the professional capacity of program staff through PD sessions/review meetings/and on-the-job training.
  • Ensure regular school visit (support visit and monitoring visit). At least 2 support visit and 1 monitoring visit to each of his supervises within a calendar month.
  • Prepare and continuous track the LP budget, Implementation Calendar, and training calendar, and take initiative to track the implementation.  
  • Coordinate to ensure the timely distribution of learning materials to the schools.
  • Prepare program reports and timely submission
  • Assist and coordinate the joint program visit with government officials and the donor.
  • Perform any other responsibilities as and when required, assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications:

Required:

  • Master’s degree in Education/ Project Management/ Social Science/Child Development or any other relevant subject
  • Minimum of 5 years’ related work experience
  • Strong planning, budgeting, supervisory, training management and facilitation skills
  • Good knowledge and understanding of education issues and priorities
  • Strong interpersonal communication, language and computer skills

Preferred:

  • 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 living and/or working in rural areas
  • 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 (Child Protection Principles)
Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. (PSEA Principles)
  • 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.
  • 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---Moulvibazar/Program-Officer--Literacy-Field_R-03130?locations=0cda115124c7105de70089aad523c0db&locations=6706d3461dbd100138df918993200000&locations=92fc31e3a9f2011f66dc592a30013089&locations=71fd72b1ef2d4bb486a438572d85262c&locations=75da7d7327fc100136cd6fed9d800000&locations=49c1c294faed100133a793864c830000&locations=2947b8d3b7cc10f1e74fdbdc70be7a40&locations=bb798b7a879646629ba66234dedb914d on or before 24 December 2025. Any persuasion attempt will disqualify your candidacy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

“Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply”