USAID TLM Project – Publishing Capacity Development Specialist 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 

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