World Change Starts with Educated Children®

2025 is our 25th Anniversary! Join Us in Celebrating 25 Years of Progress.

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 Director - Research, Monitoring & Evaluation (RM&E) is a new position being created to strengthen Room to Read Sri Lanka RM&E portfolio and contribute to the leadership of Room to Read Sri Lanka. The incumbent will lead the RM&E team, provide strategic and technical assistance, execute a transformative research plan, liaise with government counterparts, academicians and sector experts and serve as a thought-leader at the country and global level, presenting Room to Read Sri Lanka RM&E work. The RM&E Director will also build the capacity of the RM&E team. The position will report directly to the Country Director, be a part of the Country Management Team, and work in collaboration with the Room to Read Global office RM&E team. This position will be based in Colombo but will require frequent travel to all areas where Room to Read operates.

Key Responsibilities

Design and Implementation of RM&E work

• Develop a transformative research plan that helps establish Room to Read Sri Lanka in support of Room to Read’s programmatic scope, with a primary focus on foundational literacy, girls’ education/life skills programming.

• Execute the research plan to meet both long and short-term strategic goals of the organization;

• Develop standardized research methodology and data-management protocols that promote effective and efficient project execution and build organizational expertise;

• Regularly engage with key members of Literacy and GEP team to understand the research needs and priorities;

• Leverage strategic partnerships with academic, government and other non-profit research organizations;

• Effectively communicate research findings to broad stakeholder network, tailored based on stakeholder priorities and information needs;

• Publish research findings in national and international journals;

• Represent Room to Read in different forums and advocate the importance of our educational work in the developing world.

Monitoring Evaluation Portfolio:

• Design and implement an M&E system for RtR Sri Lanka programs and projects, in line with global guidance and practices;

• Oversee and guide in the analysis of M&E data and assessment results to determine the status of the programs/projects;

• Identify additional areas of analysis and assessment that can feedback into program design and implementation;

• Innovate new M&E systems and projects in order to continuously improve our work in the field;

• Explore and promote use of technology tools to increase efficiency of M&E systems;

• Lead and develop M&E Annual Plan of action for RtR Sri Lanka, oversee the implementation of the plan and ensure M&E section performance is meeting with organizational expectations;

• Develop M&E frameworks/ log frames for new projects and contribute to project proposal development;

• Coordinate with external consultants and assessment agencies, as required, to ensure fidelity of assessments;

• Develop data quality protocols and communicate the same with various stakeholders;

• Synthesize and analyze data and write summary reports based on the M&E results. Present data/information to internal and external stakeholders in an understandable form. Contribute to donor reports and internal organization reports/annual reports etc;

• Work with program staff and Global Office staff to codify best practices for Room to Read’s programs so that they can be shared across existing countries of operation and rolled out in new ones.

• Conduct regular site visits to active project sites to ensure compliance with implementation plans, identify problems, and make needed improvements.

Other Responsibilities

• As a member of the Country Management Team, provide strategic inputs and contribute to decision-making;

• Develop capacity of the RtR Sri Lanka RM&E Team through continuous coaching and supervision

• Establish a collaborative relationship with all other departments within the organization, manage expectations and help resolve interpersonal conflicts;

• Support the Global RM&E team on specific initiatives, as and when required;

• Network with RM&E teams of other organizations, identify best practices in the sector and implement them in RtR Sri Lanka;

• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Qualifications

Required

• Masters or advanced degree in social sciences, Economics; PhD preferred

• Minimum 12 years of post-education relevant experience with at least 3 years of management experience in the development sector or international development in line with the duties and responsibilities outlined above.

• Strong technical competence in research, monitoring, and evaluation theories, methods, and their practical application in the field.

• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with proven ability to work with data analysis software packages such as STATA/ SPSS

• Strong operational management ability: a clear focus on results – sets goals, plans and prioritizes effectively, monitors quality and progress of work against plans;

• Proven ability to design and produce high-quality complex technical reports;

• Experience with digital transformation strategies to support data collection, analysis and visualization;

• Experience with engaging policy makers and influencing outcomes at the sector level;

• Entrepreneurial skills;

• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Sinhala / Tamil;

• Good knowledge and understanding of education issues.

• Ability to travel frequently within the country;

Compensation

The salary range for this position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. Benefits including health, accident and provident fund are also provided. Additional benefits include a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through the lifelong gift of education. Should you meet our expectations, forward your detailed CV together with the names & contact details of 03 non-related referees within 10 days.

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.