Program Officer, Literacy Field

Room to Read -
Bihar

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Job details

Full-time
8 days ago

Benefits

Health insurance

Qualifications

Programme design
Programme management
Local language
Master's degree
Social Sciences
Analysis skills
Project management
Quality assurance
Education
Communication skills

Full job description

World Change Starts with Educated Children®

IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.

Position Overview:

The Officer (Technical Specialist) – FLN PMU (Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Project Management Unit) will provide strategic and technical support to the Directorate of Primary Education, Government of Bihar, for strengthening the implementation of Mission NIPUN (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy) Bihar. The incumbent will support the Directorate in planning, coordinating, monitoring, and reviewing foundational literacy initiatives, while contributing to system strengthening across curriculum and content, educator training and coaching, delivery structures, and research and insights.

The Technical Specialist will serve as a key technical resource for the Directorate and work closely with SCERT (State Council of Educational Research and Training), BEPC (Bihar Education Project Council), DIETs (District Institute of Education and Training), district education functionaries, and other relevant stakeholders to facilitate effective implementation of FLN priorities. The role will support policy implementation, institutional capacity building, evidence-based decision-making, and integration of best practices to improve foundational literacy outcomes across the state. The position will coordinate with Room to Read's State Office and technical teams to ensure alignment with agreed work plans and provide high-quality technical assistance under the FLN PMU. The role will involve regular field visits, participation in government review meetings, and close engagement with education officials and academic institutions across the state.

Responsibilities:

The Program officer will be responsible for the intervention in their district and will have the following specific key roles and responsibilities:

Program Understanding:

Develop a thorough understanding of Room to Read India Trust’s FLN program design, implementation approach, and system strengthening model.
Maintain a strong understanding of foundational literacy programs, implementation strategies, and key education initiatives being implemented across Bihar.
Develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of national and state education policies and frameworks, including NEP 2020, NCF-FS, NIPUN Bharat, NIPUN Bihar, SIQE, and other initiatives relevant to foundational literacy and numeracy.

On-ground Implementation and Monitoring:

Oversee and provide technical support for the implementation of FLN interventions across the State, ensuring quality, timeliness, and adherence to agreed implementation plans and program guidelines.
Undertake regular field visits to districts and schools, independently and jointly with State, District, and Block officials, to observe classroom instruction, library and reading activities, implementation of FLN interventions, and provide technical feedback for quality improvement.
Support the Directorate in monitoring program implementation across districts through regular review meetings, field observations, and follow-up on agreed action points.
Analyze implementation, monitoring, and assessment data to identify trends, implementation gaps, and emerging priorities, and provide technical recommendations for evidence-based decision-making.
Ensure timely compilation, validation, analysis, and reporting of programme data while maintaining high standards of data quality and supporting strengthening of state monitoring systems.
Track implementation progress against agreed work plans, milestones, and key performance indicators, and proactively flag implementation delays, risks, and deviations for timely course correction.
Support planning, coordination, and quality assurance of teacher professional development, capacity-building programmes, workshops, and review meetings conducted under Mission NIPUN Bihar.
Facilitate state, district, and block-level trainings and review meetings as a technical resource person, including development of training agendas, facilitation plans, and technical content.
Support preparation and monitoring of Annual Work Plans, implementation calendars, and programme tracking systems to ensure timely execution of planned activities.
Monitor progress against key programme indicators and support periodic programme reviews using monitoring, assessment, and field-level evidence.
Coordinate with SCERT, DIETs, District Education Offices, and other relevant stakeholders for effective implementation of programme activities under the FLN PMU.
Document implementation learnings, best practices, and innovations to support knowledge management, policy dialogue, and system strengthening.
Identify implementation bottlenecks and recommend practical solutions in consultation with the Directorate and Room to Read leadership.
Support the Directorate in strategic planning, technical assistance, quality assurance, sustainability planning, and scale-up of FLN interventions across Bihar.
Undertake any other responsibilities assigned by the Directorate of Primary Education and Room to Read India Trust in furtherance of the objectives of the FLN PMU.

Government Liaison and Technical Support:

Serve as a technical resource to the Directorate of Primary Education and provide technical assistance for strengthening foundational literacy under Mission NIPUN Bihar.
Represent Room to Read India Trust in government meetings, technical committees, consultations, and review forums, and provide evidence-based technical inputs to strengthen FLN policies, strategies, and implementation.
Liaise with key government stakeholders, including the Directorate of Primary Education, SCERT, BEPC, DIETs, District Education Offices, and other relevant institutions, to ensure effective coordination and systemic integration of FLN interventions.
Support the Directorate and district education systems in strengthening institutional capacity for improving foundational literacy outcomes through technical guidance, mentoring, and implementation support.
Provide technical support to SCERT, DIETs, and other government institutions in curriculum and content development, teacher professional development, libraries and reading promotion, student assessment, research, and other FLN initiatives aligned with NEP 2020, NCF, NIPUN Bharat, and NIPUN Bihar.

Team Coordination and Capacity Building:

Provide technical and operational guidance to PMU personnel and support their capacity development to ensure effective implementation of activities under the FLN PMU.
Mentor PMU personnel in technical facilitation, stakeholder engagement, and coordination with the Directorate, SCERT, DIETs, and district education functionaries, and identify capacity-building needs for continuous professional development.
Support performance management, coaching, and periodic review of PMU personnel to ensure delivery of high-quality technical assistance and programme outcomes.
Coordinate closely with Room to Read's State Office and technical teams to align PMU activities with state priorities, obtain technical inputs, and ensure effective implementation of agreed work plans.

Participate in Meeting/Workshops at State and India Country Office Level:

Participate in IDTS workshops on material development, training module development and training of trainers.
Attend review meetings at the state/national level and provide reflective feedback on program implementation and design issues. At the same time acts as the conducive way to transfer innovative ideas and practices from the national level (or from other states) on to the field.
Participate in review meeting, training of trainer and any other required meetings or workshop at state/ INCO level.

Planning, Reporting and Documentation:

Responsible for preparing regular (monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis, including program data) qualitative reports and documenting event reports, case studies and best practices.
Responsible for high stake donor reporting, developing their annual, half yearly, quarterly and monthly work plan for implementation.
Responsible for preparing Implementation calendar, cash forecast, Purchase Requisition’s budget outlook, Annual Planning & Budgeting and regular tracking of budget management.
Assist in preparing all programmatic and financial reports as required.

Qualifications:

Required:

Master’s degree in education / social sciences or equivalent preferred.
Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in the education sector. Minimum 2 years of program management experience, preferably in education
In-depth knowledge of foundational literacy, language and reading practices and approaches.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Critical thinking and analytical skills.
Good interpersonal skills and a team player.
Prior experience of managing a large team.
Proven track record of achieving results and managing large stake projects is preferred.
Proven ability to work effectively with schools and communities.
Ability to travel regularly to project sites in remote locations.

Compensation:

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.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

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.

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