The Program Officer – Gender Equality Portfolio (GEP) is responsible for ensuring high-quality implementation of program activities across the state. The role involves managing and mentoring Program Associates and Social Mobilizers, building their capacity for effective field delivery, and ensuring alignment with Room to Read’s global standards and will be closely working with the State Head and Country team to ensure that implementation across various program sights .The position requires strong coordination with government stakeholders, schools, and community institutions to strengthen support systems for girls’ education. The Program Officer will support proactive identification of girls at risk of dropping out and ensure appropriate response mechanisms are implemented at the field level. The Program Officer leads training, monitors program quality through regular field visits, supports planning and budgeting processes, and ensures timely reporting and documentation. Additionally, the role contributes to advocacy, networking, and collaboration initiatives to enhance program impact and sustainability. S/he will work very closely with the State Head to ensure that all documentation has programmatic insight and is of the best quality. This position will report to State Head.
Support PA’s (Program Associate)/ SM’s (Social Mobilizers) to ensure quality delivery of the program components aligned to the standards in the worldwide program content packages within the prescribed timelines of Room to Read.
Provide coaching support to the PA/ SM (Social Mobilizer) to build their capacity for on-ground program delivery, and handling team (wherever appropriate).
Conduct PA/ SM performance reviews with appropriate feedback on a bi-monthly basis.
Conduct regular 1:1 meeting with supervisees for mentoring and capacity development on monthly basis.
Support goal setting, mid-year reviews, and annual performance review processes.
Facilitate PA/SM review meetings monthly especially in enhanced locations to discuss and identify solutions to challenges SMs are facing, challenges with data collection, or other field-level program implementation challenges.
Ensure identification and support of girls at risk of dropping out using the Risk and Response Protocol.
Conduct data validation and periodic 100% physical verification of scholars in the field (quarterly basis)
Supports INCO (India Country Office) to ensure overall program implementation quality, including local adaptation of Room to Read’s worldwide program content and meets Room to Read’s standards.
Dialogue & engage with school authorities and communities to ensure their support for the program and fulfill the agreements they made. - e.g., providing of a gender resource Centre.
Engage with DIET (District Institutes of Education and Training) /Block level officials/SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training) and others for timely submission of reports (on quarterly basis) and supporting State Head/Manager for availing timely permissions.
Lead and conduct all training for program team as per the plan.
Participate in regular training and meetings with Room to Read staff, as planned.
Participate in regular review meetings and represent the state at various platforms or for any other activities that may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.
Coordinate with other POs/Program Manager (across RtR India) to implement GEP activities based on need.
Participate in donor site visits, ensure high standard preparation, and provide timely donor reports.
Ensure quality implementation of any collaboration model/ technical assistant initiative undertaken in the state.
Regular monitoring visit as appropriate.
Facilitate program audits in the field and ensure implementation of corrective measures.
Conducting monthly field visits and engaging relevant stakeholders (school principals, education officers etc.
Regular discussion and brainstorming with INCO for quality improvement monthly.
Liasioning with State education departments, KGBVs, Ashram schools, SCERT, DIETs, Tribal department etc. to explore opportunities for technical assistance and partnership for engagement and expansion of GEP program.
Build a state level girls education network and make this as an advocacy event for girls’ education.
Maintain and share a database of print and electronic media with INCO and State Head for engagement for various events.
Organize program visibility events and networking forums with NGOs, community stakeholders, and government representatives.
Explore state level scholarships, social security schemes available for participants and link them to the same. Create a road map for all participants who are about to graduate from GEP program or else who are in regular program.
Identify local referral services for the participants including counselling, health services etc.
Identify and strengthen community development structures (SMCs, VCPC) for creating safety nets for participants and strengthening similar institutions at the State level.
Participate and contribute to Program quality discussion at State Office and at India Country office level (INCO)
Facilitate discussion with PAs/ SMs around quality and ensure its implementation at the field level.
Conduct regular field visits and observe the implementation of pre-decided quality benchmarks in the field based on the LS observation form.
Conduct location-wise cohort risk analysis to proactively identify participants at risk of dropout or academic decline and come forward with mitigation plan for the same.
Support data validation processes to ensure accuracy of program records and reporting.
Provide regular updates and inputs to INCO on quality benchmark implementation.
Prepare annual GEP budget of the State in assistance with the State Manager/Head.
Contribute to the Annual Planning and Budgeting (AP&B) Annual Planning and Budgeting guidelines.
Ensure monthly budget forecast and re-appropriation of underspending funds.
Track implementation and spending patterns of the State GEP.
Verify and recommend program bills and expenses in accordance with financial guidelines.
Ensure donor supported funds are utilized judicially within the committed time frame.
Come forward with innovative ideas in alignment with program design and share ideas both at the state level and INCO.
Ensuring compliance and adhering to all financial norms.
Ensure the SMs and PAs are monitoring and keeping records of participants including attendance, academic performance, and other program activities as required by the program design. Collect, review, and analyze data as needed.
Prepare and review regular staff reports.
Prepare and maintain program dashboards including Survey CTO, Ops MPR (Monthly Progress report), and monitoring indicators.
Collect information and develop case studies, success stories, and donor documentation.
Track and support alumnae engagement activities and events to strengthen long-term program impact.
Submit monthly and quarterly reports to INCO with quality input and 100% data accuracy.
Master’s degree in education/ social work/ development/Gender Studies.
5-7 years of relevant work experience in areas of gender, life skills, and adolescent children (boys/girls).
Good interpersonal skills and team management.
Strong organizational and planning skills include the ability to monitor progress of program implementation.
Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative.
Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people.
Prior experience in facilitation and/or training.
Familiarity or experience with gender issues, life skills for adolescent population and/or community development preferred.
Room to Read offers a competitive pay with excellent benefits. 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.
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.
