Lead, Implementation
1. POSITION VACANT: Lead, Implementation – Room to Read India, Jharkhand
2. ORGANISATION BACKGROUND:
Room to Read India was established in 2003 and presently has programmes in twelve states – Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Room to Read is an organisation transforming the lives of millions of children by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.
For more information about Room to Read India, please visit: www.roomtoreadindia.org
3. JOB DESCRIPTION / RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Lead, Implementation will oversee programme implementation and lead the system-strengthening agenda across assigned districts. The incumbent will serve as the main point of contact for schools and local government officials and coordinate the work of other Room to Read (RtR) staff in the district. The position will report to the Senior Lead, Implementation and will supervise Program Associates. It will involve frequent travel to field locations and regular interaction with education officials, school administrators, teachers and students.
Key Job Responsibilities:
(A) Programme Planning, Management & Implementation:
(1) Develop a thorough understanding of Room to Read’s Literacy Programme design;
(2) Oversee programme implementation in the project location, ensuring that activities are timely, efficient, well coordinated, and aligned with programme and budget guidelines;
(3) Manage relationships with schools, communities and government counterparts in the project location, and respond to issues that may arise in these relationships;
(4) Ensure that all programme schools receive books, materials and furniture at the appropriate time;
(5) Ensure that teacher training and capacity-building activities are conducted according to plan and programme guidelines, including securing the necessary approvals;
(6) Lead training programmes organised for resource persons, Cluster Resource Persons (CRPs) and RtR field staff; ensure the effective delivery of teacher training by resource persons; and serve as a key facilitator for these trainings;
(7) Ensure effective utilisation of the programme budget through sound planning and activity tracking; ensure adherence to financial and procurement norms; and pursue cost efficiencies without compromising quality;
(8) Prepare cash-advance requests, settlements and reimbursement claims for programme activities;
(9) Assist in preparing the annual programme action plan and budget;
(10) Support the supervisor in strategic planning and advocacy, including sustainability planning and decisions concerning future expansion;
(11) Participate actively in Room to Read’s social media campaigns;
(12) Supervise and ensure the effective implementation of community-engagement plans;
(13) Participate in any other activities required to fulfil the organisation’s objectives.
(B) Technical Expertise & System Strengthening:
(1) Stay abreast of changing trends and new state-level policies, programmes and interventions in foundational literacy and reading announced by the government, and engage with the country team on emerging opportunities;
(2) Attend district-level government meetings, discussions and committees on early literacy, using these forums to advocate for enabling policies and government orders in support of Room to Read’s Literacy Programme. Represent Room to Read in district- and state-level forums, highlighting the importance of reading and the need for children’s libraries;
(3) Engage regularly with government officials and facilitate the systemic integration of the programme to promote sustainability;
(4) Attend national-level review meetings and provide reflective feedback on programme implementation and design. Serve as a conduit for transferring innovative ideas and practices from the national level, and from other states, to the field;
(5) Keep abreast of current national and international research in the field;
(6) Provide technical oversight to CRPs, Block Education Officers (BEOs), District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs), and district-level officials; support their coaching and communication with government teachers and schools; identify capability gaps; and plan capacity-building inputs in consultation with the team;
(7) Participate in workshops on materials development, training-module development, and training of trainers.
(C) Monitoring, Supervision & Reporting:
(1) Provide technical oversight to Program Associates and support their coaching and communication with government officials and schools. Identify capability gaps and plan capacity-building inputs in consultation with the IDTS unit;
(2) Analyse data and information from the field, identify programmatic correlations, and flag issues for wider discussion;
(3) Ensure that programme schools are monitored according to guidelines and that field staff perform effectively;
(4) Supervise monthly, quarterly and annual data entry and compilation, including GSD data, and maintain high standards of data quality;
(5) Assist in preparing all required programmatic and financial reports, including donor reports;
(6) Organise and lead field-level review meetings;
(7) Track implementation progress and expenditure through regular review meetings and field visits, and flag deviations and delays at the earliest opportunity;
(8) Manage Program Associates, including their performance evaluation, capacity building and coaching.
4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES:
Qualifications and Experience
Required:
(1) Bachelor’s degree in Education, Social Sciences or an equivalent discipline; a Master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences or an equivalent discipline is preferred;
(2) Minimum eight to ten years of relevant experience in the education sector;
(3) In-depth knowledge of language and reading practices and approaches.
Preferred:
(1) Prior success in working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people;
(2) Prior experience with a non-profit organisation committed to high-quality work and low overheads;
(3) Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organisation;
(4) Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative;
(5) Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas;
(6) Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials;
(7) Demonstrated success in implementing a wide range of tasks and developing and implementing improvements in a previous role.
Skills and Competencies
(1) Strong written and oral communication skills;
(2) Critical-thinking and analytical skills;
(3) Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively as a team member;
(4) A proven track record of achieving results;
(5) Proven ability to work effectively with schools and communities;
(6) Ability and willingness to travel regularly to project sites in remote locations;
(7) Good written and verbal communication skills in Hindi and English.
5. IDEAL CANDIDATE PROFILE:
The ideal candidate is a seasoned education-programme implementation professional who combines a strong understanding of foundational literacy and reading practices with hands-on experience of managing district-level implementation. The candidate should be able to work effectively with government education systems, schools and communities; lead training and capacity-building initiatives; manage field teams, budgets and implementation schedules; and use programme data to identify gaps and improve delivery.
The role is particularly suited to a collaborative, results-oriented professional who can build trusted relationships with diverse stakeholders, translate programme objectives into coordinated field action, and promote the systemic integration and sustainability of interventions. The candidate should be comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced organisation, travelling frequently to remote project locations, and communicating confidently in Hindi and English.
6. COMPENSATION OFFERED:
Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits, including a 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 organisation that is transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries by advancing literacy and gender equality in education.
7. NUMBER OF VACANCIES: One
8. LOCATION: Jharkhand
The position will involve frequent travel to field locations, including project sites in remote areas.
9. REFERENCE: LI-PP-JH-RTR
10. CONTACT INFORMATION:
Team SAMS
Strategic Alliance Management Services Pvt. Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar,
New Friends Colony, New Delhi – 110025
Tel: 011-4081 9900; 4081 9926
11. APPLICATION PROCESS:
Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested to apply online using the link below on or before 21/09/2026.
Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. Room to Read is a child-safe organisation; all personnel are expected to adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Code of Conduct.
