Assistant, Gender Equality Portfolio

Room to read; Jharkhand; On-site; INR 300,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

Room to Read seeks a Program Assistant to support Project Sampoorna at district levels, providing technical guidance to state teams on gender mainstreaming. The role involves extensive field engagement, partnerships with NGOs and government bodies, and training activities for teachers and local champions.

The candidate will help manage events, document progress, and report on outcomes while coordinating with district and state stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education/social work/development/Gender Studies or equivalent.
• Minimum 2–3 years of relevant work experience in girls' education, gender, life skills, SEL and govt engagement.
• Prior rural/semi-urban living/working experience.
• Experience in Jharkhand beneficial for life skills and gender space.
• Experience working with schoolteachers and government.
• Extensive travel to district/block levels.
• Good interpersonal skills and a team player.
• Proficient in MS Office for reporting purposes.
• Experience with diverse groups.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain partnerships with NGOs, CBOs, and local institutions involved in Project Sampoorna's implementation.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly program progress reports, case studies, and success stories.
• Maintain systematic documentation of meetings, events, and field visits.
• With the Program Officer, ensure the implementation of Sampoorna 2.0 activities in the districts.
• Provide technical oversight to Block and cluster level Govt officials.
• Identify areas of improvement and plan capacity-building activities with State Team.
• Plan and organize offline/online workshops and meetings with partners, teachers and government officials.
• Manage logistics for events: invitations, venues, materials, briefs, presentations, and program updates.
• Ensure events are effectively executed with visibility for Project Sampoorna.
• Conduct interviews, focus groups with students, teachers, and stakeholders.
• Capture field insights and share learnings with the program team.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team player

MS Office

Hindi & English proficiency

Stakeholder management

Travel readiness

Education

Master’s degree in education/social work/development/Gender Studies

Tools

MS Office

Job description

World Change Starts with Educated Children®

IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.

Position Overview

The Program Assistant (PA) will play a key role in supporting the delivery of the Project Sampoorna at the district levels and will render technical support to the state team on the gender mainstreaming initiative of the organization. The position involves close coordination with government stakeholders, partner NGOs, schools, and communities. The Program Assistant will support partnership management, organize events and capacity‑building workshops and teacher training, identify and mentor local champions, and ensure timely documentation and reporting of activities. The role requires extensive field engagement, relationship management, and strong organizational skills. The position will report to the Program Officer and will also work closely with the other State teams as and when needed.

Responsibilities

Partnership & Program Management

• Build and maintain strong partnerships with NGOs, CBOs, and local institutions involved in Project Sampoorna's implementation.
• Prepare monthly and quarterly program progress reports, case studies, and success stories.
• Maintain systematic documentation of meetings, events, and field visits.
• With the Support of the Program Officer, ensure the implementation of the Sampoorna 2.o activities in the implementation districts.
• Provide technical oversight to the Block level and cluster level Govt officials.
• Identify areas of improvement and learning in their capabilities and plan capacity‑building activities in discussion with State Team.

Curriculum Development and Training / Event Management

• Plan and organize offline/online workshops, consultations and meetings with partners, teachers and government officials.
• Manage logistics including invitations, venues, materials, and documentation, briefs, presentations, and program updates for stakeholders.
• Ensure events are effectively executed with visibility for Project Sampoorna.
• Conduct interviews, focus group discussions, and regular feedback sessions with students, teachers, and stakeholders.
• Capture field insights and share learnings with the program team to inform planning.

Government & Stakeholder Management

• Liaise with district and Block officials to ensure alignment with government priorities.
• Represent RtR in meetings, consultations, and policy discussions and all district level Sampoorna related meetings/ calls.
• Plan and organize trainings, workshops, consultations, and district-level events including the event with govt. representation.
• Rendering technical support to the state team toward building the gender mainstreaming narrative in the overall work of the state including the work around SPMU etc.
• Build a strong understanding of Room to Read’s Girls’ Education Program, theory of change, frameworks, and tools, and orient the team accordingly.

Any other responsibilities assigned by the state head/Program Officer.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in education/social work/development/Gender Studies or equivalent.
• Minimum 2-3 years of relevant work experience in areas of girls' education, gender, life skills, Social Emotional Learning and govt engagement.
• Prior experience of living and/or working in rural and semi-urban areas.
• Prior experience of working in Jharkhand would be beneficial especially in life skills and gender space.
• Previous experience working closely with schoolteachers and government.
• Extensive travel to district/block levels.
• Good interpersonal skills and a team player.
• Proficient in MS Office for reporting purposes.
• Previous experience working closely with diverse groups of people.
• Good knowledge of Hindi and English.

Preferred Skills & Competencies

• Strong interpersonal and partnership-building skills.
• Event management and facilitation abilities.
• Good documentation and reporting skills.
• Proficiency in MS Office, data analysis skills are an advantage.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work in fast-paced environments.

Child Protection Principles

Room to Read is a child-safe organization. Child Protection Principles: Room to Read is committed to the education and welfare of children and protecting them from abuse and exploitation. Room to Read has zero tolerance for child abuse and exploitation. All children have the right to be free from abuse and exploitation, including neglect, maltreatment, and physical, mental or sexual violence, injury or abuse. All children should be treated with respect and dignity. The well‑being of the child is Room to Read’s first priority when dealing with all identified or suspected cases of child abuse. Room to Read shall integrate child protection into all its organizational strategies, structures and work practices. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Principles: Room to Read Representatives must create and maintain an environment that prevents sexual exploitation and sexual abuse. Room to Read has zero tolerance for adult sexual exploitation and abuse. Sexual exploitation and abuse are serious violations of fundamental human rights and will not be accepted or tolerated. All adults should be treated with respect and dignity. Room to Read implements a survivor‑centered approach, putting the survivor’s rights and dignity at the forefront. Survivors referred to available professional assistance (e.g. mental health counselling), upon consent.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. Read is a child-safe organization; all personnel must adhere to Room to Read’s Child Protection Policy, Child Protection Code of Conduct and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy.

About Room to Read

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read envisions a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality, where all children have room to read, learn and grow – creating lasting change. Through our Literacy Portfolio, we train and coach teachers of the early grades in literacy instruction; create and publish quality books and curricular materials in local languages; and establish children’s libraries filled with diverse children’s books that can be enjoyed at school and home. Our Gender Equality Portfolio supports adolescents, particularly girls, in developing life skills that promote gender equality, helping them to pursue lifelong learning and make informed decisions. We support young people of all genders to overcome gender biases and build the knowledge and skills to create a gender‑equal world. Room to Read collaborates with local communities, partner organizations, publishers, and governments to test and implement innovative models that can be integrated into the education system to deliver positive outcomes for children at scale. To date, Room to Read has benefited more than 50 million children in 28 countries. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

Cynthia Orme Chief People and Technology Officer