Program Operations Director, 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 Program Operations Director (“POD”) is a senior management Country Office position primarily responsible for providing program operations support and oversight and ensuring timely and effective implementation of Room to Read’s Literacy and Girls’ Education Programs. The Program Operations Director will oversee the implementation, coordination, development, reporting and expansion of our current and prospective Programs and Administrative work. The position reports directly to the Country Director and directly supervises the Administration unit and Field Manager(s). The POD also works in close collaboration with the Literacy Director, who is responsible for country-wide Literacy program design, technical support and oversight. Regular travel to all geographical areas where Room to Read works in Zambia is required.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Management and Coordination

• Directs and ensures efficient, effective and timely management of all program implementation, budgeting and internal controls per the design created by the technical programs staff.
• Supervises, coaches and mentors the Field Manager(s) who are responsible for overseeing the implementation of program activities in specified geographical areas, including budgeting, scheduling, reporting and other project implementation related tasks for their assigned schools.
• Facilitates communication between the technical team at the Country Office level and the field level implementation team, and ensures utilization of research, monitoring and evaluation data to inform implementation.
• Collaborates with Human Resources to handle recruitment and training of staff according to need.
• Prepares terms of agreement for outside consultants and oversees the non-technical aspects of their work.
• Serves as a member of the Country Office Management team, which provides overall support and direction for the work of Room to Read in country.
• Participates in any other activities which may be required to be undertaken to fulfill the objectives of the organization.

Program Implementation and Monitoring

• Develops Country Office program implementation calendar and budgeting processes in coordination with Field Managers, Programs staff, and Finance staff.
• Plans, coordinates, and documents site selection activities and tracks potential sites for future expansion.
• Coordinates with Finance team to ensure accurate oversight of budgets and spending, and supports monthly and quarterly budget forecasts.
• Coordinates and leads monthly and quarterly planning of program implementation activities.
• Coordinates and provides leadership over procurement, inventory management, and distribution.
• Collaborates with the Programs and Research, Monitoring and Evaluation (RM&E) team to support RM&E of all programs.
• Visits project sites to support and supervise program implementation.

Planning, Reporting and Documentation

• Leads the preparation of the annual plan, budget, implementation calendar, and other annual plan documents.
• Responsible for timely monthly and quarterly updates and reports on the status of implementation to the Country Management Team and Regional and Global Offices.
• Oversees and facilitates timely completion of Global Systems Database (“GSD”) data-entry and other donor reporting to relevant Country, Regional and Global Office staff.
• Ensures that organizational, governmental and donor reports are high quality and provided on a timely basis.
• Identifies, tracks and documents program trends, lessons learned and best practices and reports to Country Office Program technical staff to consider in improving program designs.

External Coordination and Networking

• Represents Room to Read at relevant meetings and assists in planning and hosting donor visits.
• Develops and manages relationships with government, NGOs and appropriate educational bodies as related to program implementation.
• Ensures government approval and legal compliance of Room to Read programs implemented directly or through NGO partners.
• Prepares annual or multi-year project permission and fund release documents, as appropriate, to obtain permission from the NGO affairs bureau, Directorate of Primary Education and/or other government bodies both at the national and district level.
• Explores shared-learning and networking opportunities.

Qualifications:

Required:  

• Master’s degree in Business, Management or other related field, or equivalent experience
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience, including a minimum of 3 years working in a senior managerial role
• A working knowledge and understanding of project management methodology and software
• Strong planning, budgetary, supervising, and project implementation skills
• Ability to travel regularly to project sites and Province or District offices throughout the Country
• Strong English verbal and written communication skills
• Proven track record of achieving results
• Direct and indirect project implementation experience
• Prior success working closely and building relationships with diverse groups of people
• Ability to juggle multiple priorities simultaneously and take initiative

Preferred:

• Effectiveness in working or volunteering in a non-profit organization that is focused on maintaining high quality work and low overhead
• Prior experience in a fast-paced, growth-oriented global or regional organization
• Prior experience living and/or working in rural areas
• Prior experience working with schools, teachers, administrators and government officials

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 an up-and-coming non-profit organization
• Be an innovative and creative thinker – you are 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, take initiative, 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)  .pola@roomtoread.org with Program Operations Director 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.