Library Management Facilitator, Zambia

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 7.8 million children by constructing more than 1,700 schools, establishing over 16,000 libraries, publishing 882 new children’s book titles in 27 local languages, and reaching over 25,000 girls through our Girls’ Education program.

Room to Read has an annual budget of approximately US$43.7 million and our global staff numbers over 600. 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 Library Management Facilitator (“LMF”) works with multiple schools to set up and monitor highly functioning libraries.  The LMF reports to the Literacy Program Field Operations Officer.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Program Implementation and Coordination

• Supports school librarian in the initial set up of the library, including book leveling and classification system, check-out system, setting up furniture, and creating a library period time-table.
• Ensures annual delivery of books is received and incorporated into library systems.
• Regularly observes and models good library management practices and systems to designated librarian.
• Supports librarian in addressing library management challenges as they arise.
• Collaborates with school to support minor improvements to the library space (i.e. painting).
• Collaborates with librarian, principal, and community to develop sustainability plan for managing library and acquiring new books after Room to Read’s support ends.
• Provides ongoing input to Literacy Coach around library management for meetings with principals, and participates in meetings when available.
• Participates in regular librarian trainings related to the use of the library.
• Supports and participates in literacy events, parent meeting and other community activities.

Planning, Reporting and Documentation

• Tracks and reports library monitoring data to ensure timely and accurate reporting to stakeholders.
• Conducts ongoing planning, documentation, and reporting.
• Documents best practices and lessons learned and shares with the Literacy program team.

Qualifications:

Required:  

• University degree in Education, Social Development, Business Management or other related field
• 0-2 years of related work experience
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel), internet and related applications
• Good command of English (both written and oral)
• Good interpersonal skills and a team player
• Ability to monitor progress of program implementation
• Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative
• Desire and ability to spend 90% of time traveling and visiting school sites to provide coaching and monitor progress of program implementation
• Experience working with local communities
• Experience working with schools and teachers

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 organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker – 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:

The salary range for this position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. Health and retirement benefits are also provided. 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 the lifelong gift of education.

Application Procedure:

Please submit your resume and cover letter by email (no calls, faxes, or drop-ins, please) to constance.pola@roomtoread.org with Library Management Facilitator in the subject line. Due to the anticipated high volume of applicant response, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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