3 Job Positions at Room to Read: (Deadline 18 August 2023)

3 Job Positions at Room to Read: (Deadline 18 August 2023)

USAID TLM Project – Publishing Capacity Development Specialist at Room to Read: (Deadline 18 August 2023)

Publishing Private Sector Capacity Development Specialist 

USAID TLM PROJECT 

2023 – 2026 

Job Location: Rwanda

Open to applicants from: Rwanda

Start date: September 2023

Project Description 

The primary purpose of the 3-year, USAID-funded Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Supply Chain cooperative agreement in Rwanda, is to strengthen the market system for teaching and learning materials and increase the quantity, quality, affordability, and accessibility of books and other reading materials (physical and digital) in schools, homes and communities, contributing to improved reading outcomes.

This proposed activity uses a market systems development approach to bring together stakeholders, identify points of leverage, and optimize the market’s functionality to strengthen the book supply chain in Rwanda and address the “business side of literacy.”

To become literate, children and families need access to reading materials; yet there is limited availability and irregular supply of reading materials in Rwandan schools and communities. This activity builds upon evidence and experience from USAID, the Global Book Alliance in Action (GBAIA), and the World Bank’s Results in Education for All Children (REACH) Trust Fund projects at the country level.

The Opportunity 

Room to Read (RtR) is a global non-profit organization focusing on primary school literacy and gender equality in education.  We are seeking a Private Sector Capacity Development Specialist for the anticipated three-year, $6 million USAID-funded Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Supply Chain cooperative agreement in Rwanda.

The Private Sector Capacity Development Specialist reports directly to the Book Supply Chain Technical Expert and coordinates learning activities and trainings for publishers, printers, and other key actors to strengthen the private sector’s ability to meet Government of Rwanda (GoR) demand for high-quality TLM. The successful incumbent should be highly skilled in curriculum development, training participants, and engaging with the government, private sector, and community actors.

What You’ll Do  

Capacity Building 

• Conduct a publishing landscape needs/gap analysis in consultation with the private sector book supply chain actors, Rwanda Basic Education Board (REB), and other Government of Rwanda (GoR) stakeholders.

• Facilitate a Private Sector Supplementary Training Needs Assessment.

• Design and implement capacity building activities and interventions, taking the existing strategies, initiatives, and priorities of the GoR and private sector into consideration.

• Promote capacity building workshops and encourage stakeholders from the private sector to attend workshops by conducting outreach activities.

• Map out and implement a private sector capacity development strategy towards development of new and adapted high-quality materials.

• Provide technical input on the activity’s capacity building initiatives, including liaising with private sector actors to identify capacity development opportunities and key entry points.

• Improve the capacity of publishers, printers, and other key actors for last mile production and distribution of TLMs.

• Improve the private sector production readiness: Co-facilitate development of production readiness concepts, checklists, and review processes.

Learning Activities 

• Act as focal point for the learning activities in development and production of TLM both internally within Room to Read and with external stakeholders.

• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of learning activities and recommend improvements.

• Collaborate with Education Development Centre (EDC) and Room to Read teams to ensure success of the learning activities.

Other 

• Collaborate with Rwandan Children’s Book Organization (RCBO) and printers to improve their business acumen to forecast, respond to, and manage government procurements.

• Support convening of quarterly roundtables with the GoR, private sector actors, and lenders/financial institutions towards addressing operational challenges associated with lending in the book sector.

• Analyze sales/procurement data with publishers and printers to track and improve business output.

• Maintain linkages with the private sector, government institutions and other key actors to ensure a competitive market.

• Support circulation of private sector-focused tools and knowledge products.

• Prepare and submit quality reports timely with Room to Read and external stakeholders.

• Contribute to the activity’s workplans, progress reports, and other reporting requirements.

What You’ll Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Education, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Minimum 5-8 years of social or development expertise with substantive knowledge and experience of project design, and private sector capacity building initiatives for development projects.

• Experience in the Rwandan or East African publishing context is required.

• Demonstrated expertise in book supply chains, market systems development and private sector engagement.

• Skilled in curriculum development and training.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the private sector, government institutions, and communities, etc.

• Ability to adhere to the requirements of working in a USAID funded program, including compliance with USAID policies and procedures.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate and maintain productive working relationships across cultures.

• Openness to change and ability to receive/integrate feedback.

• Demonstrated ability to provide supportive guidance and strengthening through coaching, training, mentoring, and modelling.

• Excellent leadership, organizational, and facilitation skills.

• Strong analytical, research, report writing, and presentation skills.

• Outstanding project management skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; fluency in Kinyarwanda is required.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

To be successful at Room to Read, you will also:  

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization.

• Be a proactive and innovative thinker who achieves results and creates positive change.

• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.

• Embrace diversity and a commitment to collaboration.

• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment.

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 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY

 

 

USAID TLM Project – Literacy Disability & Inclusion Specialist at Room to Read: (Deadline 18 August 2023)

Literacy Disability and Inclusion Specialist 

USAID RWANDA TLM PROJECT 

2023 – 2026 

Job Location: Rwanda

Open to applicants from: Rwanda

Start date: September 2023

Project Description 

The primary purpose of the 3-year, USAID-funded Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Supply Chain cooperative agreement in Rwanda, is to strengthen the market system for teaching and learning materials and increase the quantity, quality, affordability, and accessibility of books and other reading materials (physical and digital) in schools, homes and communities, contributing to improved reading outcomes.

This proposed activity uses a market systems development approach to bring together stakeholders, identify points of leverage, and optimize the market’s functionality to strengthen the book supply chain in Rwanda and address the “business side of literacy.”

To become literate, children and families need access to reading materials; yet there is limited availability and irregular supply of reading materials in Rwandan schools and communities. This activity builds upon evidence and experience from USAID, the Global Book Alliance in Action (GBAIA), and the World Bank’s Results in Education for All Children (REACH) Trust Fund projects at the country level.

The Opportunity 

Room to Read (RtR) is a global non-profit organization focusing on primary school literacy and gender equality in education. We are seeking a Disability and Inclusion Specialist for the anticipated three-year, $6 million USAID- Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Supply Chain cooperative agreement in Rwanda.

The Disability and Inclusion Specialist reports directly to the Book Supply Chain Technical Expert and leads activities to support the Rwandan private sector in producing Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) that reflect gender inclusion and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles, including Braille and Rwandan Sign Language (RSL)-adapted materials.

What You’ll Do  

• Conduct research and analysis of national trends of inclusive TLMs that reflect gender inclusion and UDL principles, including Braille and Rwandan Sign Language (RSL)-adapted materials.

• Co-develop a plan of action alongside the activities team to address gaps in development and production of high-quality materials ensuring disability and gender inclusion and UDL principles, including Braille and Rwandan Sign Language (RSL)-adapted materials.

• Improve private sector capacity to develop, publish, print, and distribute high-quality and inclusive TLMs of all types in collaboration with the activities team.

• Build capacity of the publishers, printers, and other key players to make digital TLMs available on government platforms and the Global Digital Library.

• Work alongside the Business Development Support Services Specialist, and the Private Sector Capacity Development Specialist to improve the private sector capacity to access innovative forms of financing to produce specialized accessible, inclusive, and especially related to Braille and RSL materials.

• Work with Rwandan umbrella associations like the Rwandan Organizations of People with Disabilities and related consultants to ensure that quality inclusive materials are made accessible to all learners.

• Act as a focal point person to ensure a systematic approach to the work on disability and inclusion while sharing best practices and lessons learned in the activity.

• Identify key areas of improvement around the private sector’s capacity on all types of TLMs and communicate this to the activity’s leadership.

• Provide technical support to the implementation of the USAID activity, including contributions to different thematic areas, strategies, and knowledge management.

• Support and coordinate effective data-collection on newly developed and adapted inclusive materials and reports appropriately.

• Participate in relevant network meetings and work inclusively and collaboratively with key stakeholders and partners to support materials development initiatives.

• Prepare written thought leadership content for various purposes, i.e., case studies, briefs, and related knowledge products for wider dissemination, as needed.

• Contribute to communications and knowledge sharing across the private sector, government, and key stakeholders.

• Contribute to the activity’s workplans, progress reports, and other reporting requirements.

• Collaborate with Education Development Centre (EDC) and Room to Read teams to ensure success of the inclusive TLMs production activities.

What You’ll Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Disability Studies, Education, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Minimum 5-8 years of relevant experience working with persons with disabilities on their rights and inclusion in a range of development settings is required.

• Experience in the Rwandan or East African publishing context is required.

• Demonstrated expertise in book supply chains, market systems development and private sector engagement.

• Experience conducting research and data analysis.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with the private sector, government institutions, and communities, etc.

• Ability to adhere to the requirements of working in a USAID funded program, including compliance with USAID policies and procedures.

• Experience working with monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, resource mobilization, and capacity development.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to cultivate and maintain productive working relationships across cultures.

• Excellent leadership, organizational, and facilitation skills.

• Strong analytical, research, report writing, and presentation skills.

• Strong project management skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; fluency in Kinyarwanda is required.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

To be successful at Room to Read, you will also:  

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization.

• Be a proactive and innovative thinker who achieves results and creates positive change.

• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.

• Embrace diversity and a commitment to collaboration.

• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment.

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 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY

 

 

Business Development Support Services Specialist at Room to Read: (Deadline 18 August 2023)

Business Development Support Services Specialist 

USAID TLM Project 

2023 – 2026 

Job Location: Rwanda

Open to applicants from: Rwanda

Start date: September 2023

Project Description 

The primary purpose of the 3-year, USAID Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Supply Chain cooperative agreement in Rwanda is to strengthen the market system for teaching and learning materials and increase the quantity, quality, affordability, and accessibility of books and other reading materials (physical and digital) in schools, homes and communities, contributing to improved reading outcomes.

This proposed activity uses a market systems development approach to bring together stakeholders, identify points of leverage, and optimize the market’s functionality to strengthen the book supply chain in Rwanda and address the “business side of literacy.”

To become literate, children and families need access to reading materials; yet there is limited availability and irregular supply of reading materials in Rwandan schools and communities. This activity builds upon evidence and experience from USAID, the Global Book Alliance in Action (GBAIA), and the World Bank’s Results in Education for All Children (REACH) Trust Fund projects at the country level.

The Opportunity 

Room to Read (RtR) is a global non-profit organization focusing on primary school literacy and gender equality in education. We are seeking a Business Development Support Services Specialist for the anticipated three-year, $6 million USAID-funded Teaching and Learning Materials (TLM) Supply Chain cooperative agreement in Rwanda.

The Business Development Support Services Specialist reports directly to the Book Supply Chain Technical Expert and leads improvements to the capacity of the Rwandan private sector to identify market opportunities, develop and grow their respective businesses.

What You’ll Do  

Marketing and Business Development 

• Conduct extensive market research to identify book industry trends, potential investment opportunities, risk assessment, and competitive analysis.

• Support preparation and facilitation of capacity building initiatives that drive industry-wide and segment-targeted advertising towards market expansion and business development.

• Support the activities team on businesses’ private sector-led marketing and advertising campaigns.

• Establish linkages and manage relationships with key stakeholders across components while acting as the point of contact for business development activities.

• Coordinate updating of relevant databases of diverse stakeholders that influence business development.

Obtain Financing 

• Co-develop and execute a targeted outreach strategy for businesses to engage with potential financing institutions.

• Work with Rwandan bank(s) to establish improved financing arrangements for printers and publishers.

• Support businesses in developing presentations and investor-targeted pitch decks for potential financiers.

• Support financing process with the businesses from negotiation to closing of deals.

• Collaborate with the activity, Education Development Centre, and Room to Read teams to gather activity-related information, financial data, and other necessary details for stakeholders’ presentations.

Other 

• Monitor and report progress on investor engagement, financing targets, and key performance indicators.

• Contribute to the activity’s workplans, progress reports, and other reporting requirements.

• Be up to date with industry regulations, legal requirements, and compliance guidelines related to financing activities.

• Support circulation of relevant thought leadership content to businesses.

• Collaborate with Education Development Centre (EDC) and Room to Read teams to ensure success of the learning activities.

What You’ll Bring 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Economics, Strategic Management, Education, or a related field (Master’s degree preferred).

• Minimum 5-8 years of progressively responsible professional experience in business development, financing, and designing capacity building initiatives with a strong focus on securing investments.

• Knowledge of USAID approaches, policies, and regulations and experience working with donor-funded projects.

• Experience in the Rwandan or East African publishing context is required.

• Demonstrated expertise in book supply chains, market systems development and private sector engagement.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with businesses, commercial banks, business advisory services, business development services providers.

• Expertise working with relevant government institutions, the national guarantee scheme, public funding, and grants.

• In-depth knowledge of investment strategies, financial analysis techniques, and investor relations.

• Knowledge of relevant legal and compliance requirements in the investment industry.

• Excellent business writing skills and exceptional presentation and negotiation abilities.

• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and facilitation skills.

• Strong analytical and research skills.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English; fluency in Kinyarwanda is required.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook).

To be successful at Room to Read, you will also: 

• Have passion for our mission and a strong desire to impact a dynamic nonprofit organization.

• Be a proactive and innovative thinker who achieves results and creates positive change.

• Have a very high level of personal and professional integrity and trustworthiness.

• Embrace diversity and a commitment to collaboration.

• Thrive in a fast-paced and fun environment.

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 

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE AND APPLY