Job Description
Program Associate, Gender Equality Portfolio

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.Job Description

Position Overview

The Program Associate, Gender Equality Program (PA, GEP) plays a key operational role in supporting the implementation of Room to Read’s Gender Equality Program (GEP) in Bangladesh. Working closely with the Program Officer and Program Manager, this role ensures that training, field activities, and stakeholder engagements are well-coordinated, timely, and aligned with program goals.
The Program Associate brings strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit to help deliver high-quality programming that empowers adolescent girls through life skills education and mentoring.

Key Responsibilities

Training Coordination and Facilitation Support (30%)

  • Assist in planning and organizing training sessions for master trainers, teachers, and Social Mobilizers.
  • Prepare training materials, session plans, and feedback tools in collaboration with the Program Officer.
  • Support translation, contextualization, and documentation of training content.
  • Coordinate with vendors for finalization of the design files and delivery of training modules and materials to the filed.
  • Document training outcomes and compile feedback for program improvement.

Stakeholder Engagement & Communication (20%)

  • Assist in coordinating with DSHE, NCTB, and other government bodies for module integration, field visit arrangements and meeting and workshop organize
  • Represent Room to Read in local forums and meetings, advocating for girls’ education and gender equality.
  • Support the Program Officer and Manager in preparing presentations, briefs, and reports for external stakeholders.

Administrative & Logistical Support (20%)

  • Manage logistics for training, workshops, and meetings in coordination with the Country Office admin team.
  • Track inventory and ensure timely procurement and distribution of program materials.
  • Maintain organized records of program activities, communications, and field reports.
  • Prepare monthly travel plans and coordinate field-level training schedules.
  • Support onboarding and coordination of consultants as needed.

Budget Monitoring & Financial Coordination (20%)

  • Monitor expenditures against approved budgets and flag discrepancies to the Program Manager.
  • Maintain budget tracking tools and assist with monthly financial reporting.
  • Support the Annual Planning & Budgeting (AP&B) process.
  • Collaborate with finance and admin teams to ensure compliance with procurement and financial protocols.

Field Monitoring & Data Support (10%)

  • Conduct regular field visits to observe program delivery and gather feedback.
  • Assist in verifying GSD data, dropout reports, and other monitoring inputs.
  • Document field insights and share recommendations with the Program Officers and Manager.
  • Support RM&E team with data collection and tool contextualization.

Qualifications

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree in education, Social Work, Gender Studies, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in program or administrative support, preferably in the development sector.
  • Strong organizational and time management skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
  • Excellent communication skills in Bangla and English.
  • Willingness to travel frequently to program sites.

Preferred:

  • Experience working with government schools and community-based initiatives.
  • Familiarity with budget tracking and financial documentation.
  • Prior involvement in training or capacity-building programs.
  • Comfort working in a fast-paced, performance-driven environment.

Key Competencies

  • Attention to detail and accuracy
  • Proactive problem-solving and follow-through
  • Strong collaboration and interpersonal sensitivity
  • Adaptability and eagerness to learn
  • Commitment to Room to Read’s mission and child protection principles

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---Main---Dhaka/Program-Associate--GEP_R-03126?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.

“Only qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply”