In partnership with Jharkhand education project council (JEPC), Jharkhand, Room to Read is setting up a State Project Management Unit (SPMU) Quality Education for the period of 2025-30. The SPMU will have the mandate to design and implement quality education activities for primary grade students across Jharkhand. This will include Foundational Literacy and Numeracy mission related activities also. As part of the SPMU initiative, the Principal Lead will be responsible for leading the planning, implementation, and oversight of all Quality Education initiatives under the SPMU–Quality Education mandate. The Principal Lead - PMU will provide strategic guidance to SPMU Lead in Ranchi on whole set of PMU activities including FLN reform, Balvatika activities, District implementation support, communication, documentation and assessments. The position will also play an instrumental role in positioning of SPMU work in national and international forums. The Principal PMU Lead will also be coordinating with other departments at Country Office (CO), strategic partners towards ensuring that SPMU objectives are achieved in timely manner. This position will report directly to the Program Operations Director (POD). This position also involves frequent travelling to the field office, meetings with key government officials, as well as regular interaction with the education officials, partners, school administrators, teachers and students.
Serve as the primary contact for management of all external strategic partners involved in the successful implementation of the SPMU.
Lead strategic planning, adaptive monitoring, and timely evaluation of programs from design to completion.
Work in strong coordination with Program technical teams to ensure timely support, alignment of priorities, and resolution of operational bottlenecks.
Coordinating with RM&E and analysis of Project data trends, identifying potential risks and deviations in implementation of program design.
Facilitate knowledge exchange and technical collaborations that support systemic reforms and innovation in primary-grade education.
Represent the project in national and international forums to showcase outcomes, best practices, and policy recommendations.
Build strategic alliances with academic and research institutions to support evidence-based planning and impact evaluation.
Ensure that all SPMU interventions are consistent with Room to Read’s program design and government priorities by maintaining strong collaboration with Program Director and state teams.
Provide strategic guidance and technical inputs to the SPMU Project Lead and team on the full scope of activities, including FLN and Balvatika initiatives, district implementation support, communications, documentation, and assessments.
Contribute to development of project strategies, work plans, and performance frameworks aligned with SPMU goals and Room to Read’s standards.
Contribute to development of project strategies, work plans, and performance frameworks aligned with SPMU goals and Room to Read’s standards.
Serve as the primary liaison with donor regarding the SPMU project.
Ensure timely and high-quality donor reporting in coordination with RME and finance teams.
Oversee documentation of program progress, learnings, and impact, ensuring alignment with donor expectations and compliance standards.
Support donor visits and prepare strategic briefs and presentations to highlight project milestones.
Act as the key interface between Room to Read and JEPC, as well as other relevant government departments at the national (MoE) and state levels.
Support and mentor the SPMU Lead in Ranchi in maintaining regular communication with JEPC and facilitating joint planning, reviews, and course corrections.
Ensure policy alignment of project strategies with state and national education priorities, including NIPUN Bharat and Balvatika reforms.
Represent Room to Read in government advisory committees, task forces, and technical working groups as required.
Facilitate periodic project reviews, progress tracking, risk assessments, and quality assurance mechanisms.
Support the Program Operations team in tracking implementation calendars and budget utilization with the state SPMU team.
Identify implementation challenges, provide solutions or flag to Program Operations Director (POD) for redressal.
Establish regular communication channels with all departments such as Finance, People Operations, and Communications to support SPMU’s operational needs and effective implementation.
Provide financial oversight including annual planning, budgeting, forecasting, and expenditure tracking in collaboration with Country Office Finance.
Mentor and build the capacity of project teams, fostering a collaborative, adaptive, and high-performance work culture.
Stay abreast of policy developments, education sector reforms, and research relevant to foundational learning.
Undertake regular field visits to monitor implementation, provide feedback, and document best practices.
Carry out other responsibilities as required by the Program Operations Director in alignment with organizational goals.
Qualifications:
Master’s in education / social sciences / Social Work / Management or equivalent.
Minimum 12 years of relevant experience. Should have strong background in working with govt in large scale education projects.
Possesses financial management expertise, including annual planning, budgeting, budget outlook, cash forecasting, and the ability to analyse and track budgets for various programs.
Prior experience of leading diverse team of specialists from Content & Curriculum development, teacher professional development, research and evaluation and program implementation units.
Experience of working on partnership agreements with strategic partners.
Good understanding of governance related challenges in public education space.
Excellent managerial and interpersonal skills, including skills of managing and mentoring people.
Demonstrates excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
Knowledge/ training in Foundational Literacy and Numeracy will be an added advantage.
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.
