The Program Officer (PO) at the Country Office will play a critical role in advancing the India Country Office’s goals for the Girls’ Education and Gender Equality Program (GEP) across both direct implementation and scale-up models. This position, housed within the national office, has evolved from providing technical support to independently anchoring key program verticals, contributing to program design, and strengthening systems for quality and scale across programs implemented in partnership with government and other stakeholders. The role requires strong expertise in gender, life skills, and girls’ education, along with the ability to work across diverse program models and state contexts. In addition to supporting robust implementation, the PO will increasingly contribute to program architecture, scale-readiness, and alignment across content, training, RM&E (Research, monitoring and evaluation), and implementation systems, ensuring coherence and quality across interventions. The position demands close engagement with state program teams, government stakeholders, and internal departments, with an expectation of approximately 40% field travel. The PO will work closely with state teams and leadership to not only support implementation but also enable program quality, strengthen delivery systems, and guide new program models, particularly in evolving thematic areas. The role also involves managing and contributing to complex multi-stakeholder collaborations and representing Room to Read in relevant platforms, requiring strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Overall, the position is responsible for ensuring high-quality program delivery while also contributing to system strengthening, strategic planning, and pathways to scale, in alignment with state-led vision and organizational priorities.
Leads in ensuring that the program(s) (depending upon the allocated state) are implemented on agreed benchmarks and stays on top of implementation of the allocated states by working with relevant stakeholders.
Works closely with Program Operations team and the State Team in identifying bottlenecks of implementation and resolving it.
Takes initiative in identifying and resolving quality issues in the program while working together with the country office colleagues and other stakeholders as required.
Ensure that relevant data (reports/ dashboards) are analyzed timely, and the feedback loop is closed by using it in the program.
Regularly undertakes and documents the monthly check in calls conducted with the relevant stakeholder(s).
Ensures that Standard Operating Protocols (SOPs) are being followed, keep abreast of the ground zero challenges being faced by the state teams.
Takes corrective measures and proposes relevant changes/process improvement(s) (if any) that might be required to fine-tune the existing SOPs for better implementation of the tasks.
Develop and contextualize content for life skills program materials for different program models. Collectively working Girls Education Program- India Country Office team in content development of different GEP products both text based and digital other training manuals.
Supports the Senior Program Manager to develop standards and checklists for defining them.
Develop quality parameters of the programs and shares and take on board for further discussion and follow up with team at State level.
Play a leading role in getting all the teammates (across the country) on a common page for delivering a quality program – whether in direct model or in partnership.
Supports Research/Baseline studies as well as Action Research as required and interfaces with external and internal stakeholders, as and when required.
Participates in Special Task forces as and when required.
Supports Capacity Building efforts of States on specific themes.
Developing Presentations, Program Notes, status update etc. to be shared during the internal meetings and meetings with the government officials; rendering support in donor reporting and the state team in advocating with the govt. to institutionalize the life skill sessions in the school
Participate in events, workshops and seminars on girls’ education. Develop a network of well-wishers and supporters.
Liaison with other departments like administration for follow-up on Requisitions for workshops, Logistics, other services required like translations etc.
Liaise closely with Operations on tracking spending and initiating corrective measures for budget utilization, lead the budget exercise for Girls Education Program – contribute to making budgets, reviewing state budgets etc. (depending on the role assigned by the National Program Coordinator and to track implementation.
Works closely with Research Monitoring & Evaluation on using the existing monitoring mechanisms and data points for enhancing program quality and exactness of delivery, as well as designing new ones as need be.
Works closely with People Operations if any support is required being a part of the interview panel or revising role expectation etc.
Any other task assigned by supervisor.
Rendering support to the Country Leadership in strategic external engagement with government, donors, coalitions, and knowledge partners to position the Gender Equality Portfolio as a credible, evidence-driven contributor in the ecosystem.
Represent the organization in national and global forums, consultations, and working groups, contributing insights on gender equality, life skills, and adolescent programming.
Rendering technical support towards thought leadership building by generating and disseminating high-quality knowledge products (reports, concept notes, case studies, opinion pieces) that influence policy and practice.
Rendering technical support in nurturing partnerships with research institutions, civil society organizations, and multilateral agencies to co-create solutions and advance the gender equality agenda.
Identify emerging trends, innovations, and opportunities (e.g., blended finance, systems strengthening) and translate them into strategic inputs for program design and scale in collaboration with other departments as needed.
Master’s degree in education/social work/development studies/Gender or social sciences.
Experience of working in the areas of secondary education, girls’ education, gender, school development.
Experience in developing training modules, conducting training courses and managing events.
Experience or working with the government, teacher training, reviewing government programs.
Ability to travel frequently and spend time in the field.
Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Hindi.
At least 6 years’ relevant experience in working with an NGO/INGO.
Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas.
Prior experience working with schools, teachers, and government officials.
Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include 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 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
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.
