Job
Description
Position Overview: In partnership with JEPC Jharkhand, Room to Read is proposing to set up a State Project Management Unit (SPMU) Quality Education for the period of 2025-30. The SPMU will have the mandate to design and implement quality education activities for primary grade students across Jharkhand. This will include FLN mission related activities also. As part of SPMU initiative, the Project Lead will lead all Quality education initiatives under SPMU- Quality Education. The SPMU’s role will be to co-ordinate all Quality Education activities across state of Jharkhand and support all literacy inputs as part of FLN reform across the state Jharkhand. Specifically, the Manager will lead the verticals of i) Curriculum, Content and Training. ii) Research and Insights iii) Governance and Communication iv) District implementation. The role will also require co-ordination with other organizations for SPMU activities. The role will work closely with designated JEPC and JECRT officials. S/he will be based at Ranchi and will report directly Country office to and have dotted line reporting to State Head, JH . SPMU project team will report to him/her. This position will involve frequent travel to districts, as well as regular interaction with education officials and partners. Key Roles & Responsibilities: Government Liaison and Strategic Partnerships: Establish and maintain strong working relationships with key state-level stakeholders including the Department of Education, SSA, SCERT, and WCD. Represent the project in state- and district-level government coordination and review meetings. Advocate for FLN priorities and objectives with senior officials and align project activities with government policies and frameworks. Serve as the primary representative of the SPMU to external partners including donors, NGOs, private sector, CBOs, and civil society organizations. Leadership and Oversight of Project Implementation: Develop strong understanding on NEP 2020, FLN Mission, State FLN guidelines, and other national and state level education policies and guidelines. Provide strategic direction and overall leadership for the planning, execution, and monitoring of FLN interventions across the state. Ensure alignment of SPMU activities with government priorities and donor commitments. Coordinate closely with the NGO country office for administrative and technical support. Lead project governance mechanisms and provide guidance for state, district, and block-level implementation. Supervise and mentor the SPMU team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative work culture. Lead and support additional activities and responsibilities that get added periodically during the duration of the project. Program Management, Monitoring & Reporting: Oversee the development and execution of Annual Work Plans and ensure timely achievement of milestones and deliverables. Lead the design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems to track progress and inform decision-making. Ensure timely preparation and submission of high-quality programmatic and financial reports to the Country Office and government counterparts. Facilitate regular project reviews, technical working group meetings, and learning exchanges to drive continuous improvement. Maintain data quality standards and promote evidence-based reporting. Manage budget, procurement and payments strictly as per organization policies, processes and compliances. Advocacy and Knowledge Dissemination: Lead advocacy efforts to build awareness and drive policy engagement on FLN goals and strategies. Organize and participate in events, presentations, and dissemination activities to share program progress, innovations, and best practices. Develop strategic communication materials and ensure consistent messaging with all stakeholders. Build and maintain formal and informal communication channels with government and non-governmental partners. Lead project campaigns and events at state, district and block level. Team Leadership and Capacity Building: Lead and manage the SPMU team, including setting goals, performance evaluation, and professional development. Guide vertical leads (academic, MIS, capacity building, etc.) to ensure cohesive and integrated delivery of program components. Ensure that all SPMU staff have appropriate individual operational plans linked to project priority and annual work plans. Complete all performance management activities including performance planning, monitoring, and annual performance appraisals. Promote and ensure organization’s core values, policies and procedures. Cultivate a learning-focused team culture that values accountability, innovation, and shared ownership of results. Qualifications: Required: Master’s degree in Education, Public Policy, Social Sciences, or related field. Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in large-scale education programs, preferably with government or NGO partnerships. Demonstrated experience in leading multi-disciplinary teams and complex program operations. Proven ability to work with government bodies and influence policy and practice in the education sector. Strong project management, analytical, and communication skills. Familiarity with FLN Mission, NIPUN Bharat, and state education systems. Proficiency in English and Hindi; knowledge of local languages will be an advantage. Compensation: Room to Read offers a competitive salary with excellent benefits. Benefits include thirteenth month bonus, health insurance and a retirement plan. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries on literacy and gender equality in education. Room to Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel are expected to adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy and Child Protection Code of Conduct. Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled. Show more Show less
