The IDTS Deputy Manager will collaborate with the Program Manager for overall direction and technical quality of accelerator and deliver model activities of the Room to Read (RtR) Sri Lanka literacy program, ensuring the Sri Lanka (LK) Literacy Program (LP) team is successfully prepared to implement program content as per Vision 2025 and country strategy with quality. IDTS Deputy Manager (DM) will coordinate with IDTS Program Manager (PM) in developing a partnership to integrate proven components of our literacy portfolio into the government system and will work on gender-transformative interventions that are scalable and designed for integration into the country's education system. This position will involve frequent travel to the program site for monitoring and program implementation as needed.
Program Management, Contextualization, Training and Coordination
Collaborate with the Program Manager (IDTS) in leading government collaboration to scale-up initiatives, integrate, and mainstream core elements of our literacy portfolio into government school systems.
Work together with the Program Manager (IDTS) in building the capacity of the LP core team staff, accelerated and delivery activities program content and professional learning materials, in collaboration with the Program Development Technical Advisory (PDTA) team, including delivering necessary orientations and training.
Work together with the Program Manager (IDTS) in providing technical oversight of Core LP staff, including providing ongoing capacity building, on-site coaching, and technical support as required to address issues of program implementation quality related to accelerated and delivery activities
Collaborate with the Program Manager (IDTS) in building the technical capacities of the team on various components of the accelerated, and delivery activities in partnership with other stakeholders.
Work with the Program Manager (IDTS) to set priorities and targets for the Annual Plan and budget process, including regular budget monitoring and forecasting and support other supporting staff to finalise their budgets, including detailed program budgets and implementation calendars.
Provide input into performance evaluations of core LP staff as needed.
Monitor and collect feedback/best practices on the use of LP program content and professional learning materials, including conducting regular field visits.
Provide regular feedback to the IDTS PM on the use and effectiveness of accelerator and deliver model activities of the LP program content and professional learning materials to improve design and content.
Travel frequently to the field and schools to monitor and provide on-site support to the LP team and field leaders.
Planning, Reporting and Documentation
Work with the Program Manager (IDTS) to analyze annual program goals and budgets to ensure alignment with organizational strategies and priorities, as needed.
Provide technical input to the IDTS PM on developing and providing oversight of the implementation calendar, budget, annual planning, quarterly reporting, and overall tracking of program implementation and spending, as needed.
Prepare and review program reports as necessary.
Coordinate with the Program Manager (IDTS) in conducting monitoring and evaluation of Room to Read LP, including occasional case studies as advised by Literacy Director and follow through with recommendations for improvement.
Participate in the regular progress review meetings and support other team members regularly to reach program goals and work closely with cross-functional teams to ensure smooth implementation of accelerated and delivery activities.
Regular documentation of best practices and case studies from accelerated and delivery activities for sharing with the team and Operations team and preparing donor reports for reporting to Global Office (GO).
Government Coordination and External Networking
Develop and implement a mechanism in coordination with field leaders and IDTS/Literacy Director (LD) for stronger relationship building with the government at all levels in relation to girl’s education and gender equality portfolio.
Develop and maintain relationships with government officials, local educational authorities and school members, other stakeholders, and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) as needed for program mobilization and possibilities of partnership leading to scale-up and integration.
Develop and maintain good working relationships with school and/or NGO partner’s management team, education department, local authorities, and the parents. Schedule and conduct regular meetings with them to monitor the girls’ progress and address issues as they arise and take remedial action.
Represent Room to Read at relevant meetings and occasionally assist in hosting key donor visits as directed by IDTS PM/LD.
Represent Room to Read in different forums (within the organization and externally) to educate about scale-up initiatives, advocate, and be a part of the larger groups of partnership.
Completing regular updates related to research, monitoring, and evaluation on time and ensuring the data quality.
Any other tasks relating to the official work of the Country office that may be assigned by the Program Manager/LD
A bachelor’s degree in education or a social science, or any other relevant discipline with a minimum of 5 years of work experience in the development sector
Significant technical knowledge and work experience on issues related to education in Sri Lanka
Experience in the entire spectrum of activities under program management. This includes program planning and design, implementation and compliance, research, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and reporting.
Ability in documentation, data collection, and report writing
Good communication skills in English
Networking skills with different stakeholders
Experience working in an international organization
Experience in doing educational and or gender programs in conflict areas and experience in establishing effective working relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholders specially government; resource agencies; partner NGOs.
Earlier experience in program designing and launching and experience and knowledge of core education agendas, in particular: primary and secondary education, quality issues, gender equality in education; and life skills.
Compensation
Room to Read offers competitive pay with excellent benefits. Benefits include health, dental, vision, long-term disability insurance, Personal Accident cover and other statutory benefits. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing transforming the lives of millions of children by focusing 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.