Director, Rwandan Childen's Book Initiative

Save the Children is the world’s leading independent organisation for children. We work in 120 countries. We save children’s lives; we fight for their rights; we help them fulfil their potential.

We work together, with our partners, to inspire breakthroughs in the way the world treats children and to achieve immediate and lasting change in their lives.

We have over two million supporters worldwide and raised 1.6 billion dollars last year to reach more children than ever before, through programmes in health, nutrition, education, protection and child rights, also in times of humanitarian crises.

By mid-2013 most of our international programmes will be delivered through a merged operation with 14 000 staff, managed through seven regional hubs and reporting to a relatively small, central office. We’re changing to become more efficient, more aligned, a better partner, a stronger advocate, a magnet for world-class peop le and relevant for the 21st century.

The role
The purpose of this role is to establish and then manage all aspects of the Rwanda Children’s Book Initiative. The post-holder will be responsible for developing and delivering the Initiative’s efforts to improve supply and increase demand for children’s books and for ensuring that teachers, parents and children have the skills and support to use books effectively for enjoyment and learning. The post-holder will manage a small staff, as well as a team of consultants and advisers, and will work with local and regional publishers, policy and decision makers, and international researchers and funders to deliver the project.

Qualifications and experience
Essential 
* Demonstrated experience (five years or more) in the design, implementation and management of programmes in an international development/NGO context with successful proposal development, budgeting, donor liaison and report writing.
* Experience of successfully creating, growing and managing a team.
* Internationally recognised qualification/s relating to basic education, literacy or publishing of children’s books.
* A sound understanding of the publishing industry, ideally in developing countries, together with knowledge of the role that publishing plays in creating and sustaining a healthy literate environment.
* Strong expertise and understanding of key issues in the field of basic education in Africa
* Experience of designing and using M&E systems to generate evidence for programmes
* Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically
* Excellent communication skills, including fluency in written and spoken English and strong inter-personal and advisory skills, including the demonstrated ability to guide and influence colleagues and partners
* Understanding of and commitment to SCI mission, values and child rights-based programming approaches
* Ability to work successfully with minimal administrative support and strong IT skills including Microsoft Office, content management systems and web based communication. Desirable
* Demonstrated experience in project inception and programme establishment.
* Experience in publishing or the design and delivery of support to publishers and/or their constituent suppliers such as writers, editors, illustrators and designers
* Expertise and understanding of key issues in the field of literacy, the literate environment and/or early grade reading
* Experience of developing effective working relationships with senior stakeholders from government agencies, international organisations, donors, academics, and opinion-leaders, including successful advocacy and influencing experience.

We need to keep children saf e so our selection process reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.

For further information on this role, please see our website at www.savethechildren.net/jobs

How to apply:

Please apply with a covering letter and up-to-date CV to: 
jobs.52780.3830@savethechildrenint.aplitrak.com