Africa Regional Research, Monitoring, and Evaluation Manager

Organization Profile:

Room to Read seeks to transform the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Working in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations and governments, we develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with the relevant life skills to succeed in school and beyond.

We are non-governmental, non-religious and work with many local NGOs and community based organizations to implement our programs. We currently work in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, Laos, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia – countries with a desperate lack of resources to educate their children. Since our inception, Room to Read’s worldwide team has impacted over 7 million children by constructing more than 1,600 schools, establishing over 15,000 libraries, publishing 800 new children’s book titles in 11 local languages, and rewarding over 20,000 girls with long-term, holistic scholarships.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7 million and our global staff numbers over 500. Our global headquarters is located in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Delhi, New York, Hong Kong, London, Mumbai, Sydney, and Tokyo. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi and program offices in Colombo, Dar es Salaam, Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane. 

Position Overview:

The Africa Research Monitoring & Evaluation (RM&E) Manager’s primary responsibility is to work with the Africa Regional and Global RM&E teams to provide strategic direction to Country-led research and evaluation in the region and to give technical support to countries in the design and implementation of research and evaluation projects. The manager will also provide on-the-ground support to implementation of research and evaluation projects, particularly in countries with no research officer position. S/he will provide support and assistance to the Regional programs team in South Africa as well as the local M&E Officers in-country teams in the three African countries. A secondary responsibility for the position will be providing guidance and expertise to teams on designing, implementing and managing our monitoring systems across Africa. This position will be based in Lusaka, Zambia; Johannesburg, South Africa; or Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; but will require frequent travel to countries in Africa where Room to Read operates.   

Duties & Responsibilities:

• In collaboration with the Global and Regional RM&E teams and the Global and Regional Program Officers and the RM&E Officers at the Country Offices, design, implement and analyze regional research strategy
• Work with Global, Regional and Country Program and RM&E staff to identify research needs and develop research proposals.
• Provide technical support on the design of research projects to Country Office RM&E teams
• Work with Country Office RM&E teams to coordinate implementation of research projects, particular in countries without a research officer position (currently Zambia and Tanzania). This will involve regular travel to the African Countries in which Room to Read operates.
• Train and mentor Country Office RM&E staff to develop the necessary knowledge and skill sets to run methodologically strong evaluations in their projects and programs.
• Synthesize and analyze data and write summary reports based on Country research and evaluation projects.
• Support African countries in Program monitoring as required
• Stay informed about research and trends in our program areas and in research and evaluation to inform our strategy accordingly.
• Network with other non-profits running similar programs to find areas of collaboration and knowledge sharing.
• Represent Room to Read in different forums and advocate the importance of our educational work in the developing world.

Qualifications:

Required:

• Master’s degree in a related field, i.e. education, social sciences / economics. A doctoral degree will be an advantage
• Proven previous experience in research, monitoring and evaluation in developing countries
• Strong technical competence in research, monitoring and evaluation methods
• Strong analytical skills
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis skills, with proven ability to work with data software packages such as SPSS/SAS and qualitative data analysis software such as NVivo
• Ability to travel frequently to African countries
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English
• Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious relationships both within and outside the organization

To be successful as a member of the Room to Read team, you will also:

• Have a passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic non-profit organisation
• Be an innovative and creative thinker; you’re not afraid to try something new and inspire others to do so
• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness
• Have a strong work ethic and require minimal direction
• Work well independently as well as part of a team
• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment

Compensation:

Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through literacy and gender equality in education.

Application Procedure:

Please send a cover letter and CV by email, with "Africa Regional RME Manager” in the subject line, (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to hiring@roomtoread.org. While every application will be carefully reviewed, we are not able to send personalized responses to all applicants due to high applicant volume. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

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