Social Mobilizers, Girls' Education Program

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 1,600 schools, establishing over 15,000 libraries, publishing 874 new children’s book titles in 27 local languages, and reaching over 20,000 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:

This position is part of the Girls Education Program team. Social mobilizers will be responsible for providing logistical and organizational assistance in implementing the Girls’ Education Program (GEP) in selected Secondary Schools in Bagamoyo district. She will be reporting directly to a Girls Education -Program Officer.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Build relationships with  girls and parents, maintain regular contact with families, and conduct home visits
• Work closely with school authorities, teachers, program committee, communities and local leaders to successfully implement the Girls’ Education program
• Mentor girls on a regular basis and act as a resource person when appropriate
• Be a constant source of encouragement and support to girls to stay in school until completion of Form VI
• Plan and conduct regular life-skills sessions with girls, and support them to learn and use skills in their lives
• Raise community awareness on girl-child education
• Mobilize community participation and engage local networks to support the welfare of girls
• Maintain a diary with information and progress of each girl
• Monitor and keep records; including attendance, academic performance and other program activities
• Organize parents’ meetings in collaboration with authorities at the school level
• Distribute and be accountable for school materials given to girls
• Work with classroom teachers to collect end of term and final examination results for each girl
• Prepare girls to participate in program activities like motivational talks, commemoration of special days, educational camps, etc.
• Monitor Remedial sessions/ examination preparations in collaboration with academic teacher and GEP staff
• Act as a role model for girls and identify other role models that can inspire girls
• Identify outside resources for girls as needed
• Participate in other Girls’ Education program and Room to Read activities as needed
• Participate in regular training as planned

Qualifications:

Required:

• Form six certificate or above
• Two years of professional experience
• Ability to travel frequently and spend time in rural areas
• Experience in successful implementation of a wide range of tasks
• Experience of working with communities, local leaders, administrators, government officials and teachers
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English and Swahili
• Experience in community mobilization

 Preferred:

• Diploma/ degree  in social works/education

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’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. Benefits include health and retirement benefits. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, fun, and rapidly growing organization that is transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education.

Application Procedure:

Please send a cover letter and resume by email, with “SMs Application” in the subject line (no letters, calls, faxes, or drop-ins) to hiring@roomtoread.org. Due to high applicant volume, we regret that we are not able to send personalized responses to all applicants. Applications are accepted until the position is filled.

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