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:

Room to Read India is seeking an experienced professional to lead program implementation across multiple locations and drive high-quality proposal and concept note development for the Country Office. The role will work closely with the Program Operations Director, State and cross-functional teams to ensure effective execution, track progress, address implementation challenges, and capture program learning. The role will also develop evidence-based, donor-responsive proposals and concept notes in collaboration with Programs, RM&E;, Finance, Fundraising and Global Grant Management teams. Strong project management, analytical, writing, synthesis and stakeholder management skills are essential.

Responsibilities:
Proposal Development for Strategic Partnerships – 50%

- Lead the development and writing of high-quality proposals for Room to Read India.
- Translate program strategies, implementation experience, evidence and organizational priorities into clear, compelling and donor-responsive narratives.
- Work closely with Programs, RM&E;, Finance, Dev, Global Grant Management and other teams to gather, synthesize and validate technical inputs for proposals.
- Develop proposal narratives, theories of change, program approaches, implementation plans, results frameworks and other relevant sections as required.
- Coordinate inputs from multiple stakeholders and ensure consistency, coherence and quality across technical and financial components of proposals.
- Develop proposal content that clearly articulates the problem, proposed intervention, implementation approach, expected results, evidence and Room to Read’s comparative strengths.
- Ensure that proposals are responsive to donor requirements, guidelines, evaluation criteria and submission timelines.
- Review and strengthen proposal drafts to improve clarity, structure, logic, persuasiveness and alignment between program design, outcomes, activities, budgets and M&E; frameworks.
- Maintain and continuously strengthen a repository of proposal content, program evidence, organizational information, impact stories, case studies and other reusable resources.
- Develop standard content and templates that can enable faster, sharper and more consistent proposal development.
- Coordinate proposal review processes and ensure timely incorporation of feedback from internal and global stakeholders.

Program Learning, Evidence & Documentation – 10%

- Capture and synthesize implementation insights, innovations, challenges, success stories and lessons from State teams and program locations.
- Work with RM&E; and Program teams to identify relevant evidence and data that can strengthen program planning, communication and proposal development.
- Translate implementation experience and evidence into compelling narratives, case studies, briefs and proposal content.
- Maintain an updated evidence and learning bank to support proposal development and strategic program discussions.
- Identify recurring implementation issues and opportunities for cross-state learning and improvement.

Program Implementation & Delivery – 40%

- Accountable for ensuring all projects in select geography achieve their respective goals.
- Lead and coordinate implementation of multiple projects/program initiatives across states and locations, ensuring alignment with approved plans, objectives, timelines and program KPIs.




- Work closely with State and Country Office teams to translate program strategies and plans into clear implementation priorities and actions.
- Track key implementation milestones, deliverables, dependencies and risks across projects and proactively flag areas requiring management attention.
- Facilitate periodic implementation reviews with State teams and relevant Country Office functions to assess progress, identify bottlenecks and agree on corrective actions.
- Ensure that required program permissions, approvals and implementation processes are in place in coordination with relevant teams.
- Monitor implementation against agreed timelines, quality parameters and budgets and support teams in addressing deviations.
- Ensure timely completion and submission of program reports and other key implementation deliverables.
- Support effective utilization of program budgets and track significant variances, risks and implementation implications
- Work with relevant teams to ensure that implementation learning and emerging challenges are documented and translated into actionable improvements.

Qualifications:Required:

- Master’s degree preferred in Education, Development Studies, Public Policy, Management, Communications or a related field.
- 7–12 years of relevant qualified experience, preferably in program implementation, program management, proposal development, fundraising, consulting, development sector or related fields.
- Demonstrated experience of managing or coordinating large-scale programs/projects involving multiple locations and stakeholders.
- Strong demonstrated experience in proposal writing and concept note development, including the ability to independently develop high-quality narrative content.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with solid ability to synthesize complex information into clear, structured and compelling documents.
- Experience working with cross-functional teams and coordinating multiple inputs to deliver time-bound outputs.
- Strong analytical, project management and problem-solving skills.
- Experience working with budgets, implementation plans, project trackers and performance reports.
- Strong proficiency in preparing presentations, briefing notes, reports and other professional communication materials.
- Experience in the development/social impact/education sector would be an advantage.

Competencies and Attributes:

- Strong execution orientation: Demonstrates ownership for moving plans from strategy to implementation and ensuring timely delivery.
- Excellent writing and communication: Able to develop clear, compelling and well-structured proposals, concept notes and program documents.
- Structured thinker: Able to break down complex problems, connect information across functions and develop practical solutions.
- Strong project management: Able to manage multiple priorities, timelines, stakeholders and deliverables simultaneously.
- Collaborative and influencing: Comfortable working across functions and influencing stakeholders without direct authority.
- Analytical and detail-oriented: Able to work with qualitative and quantitative information and identify key insights, gaps and risks.
- Proactive problem solver: Anticipates implementation challenges and takes initiative to address them.
- Adaptable and resilient:



Comfortable working in a dynamic environment with changing priorities and tight deadlines.
- High ownership and accountability: Demonstrates discipline, follow-through and commitment to quality.
- Passion for equity and education: Strong alignment with Room to Read’s mission of improving learning outcomes and advancing gender equality.

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 transforming the lives of millions of children in developing countries through literacy and gender equality in education.

Room to Read is a child-safe organization

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.
Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.
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 ( mental health counselling), upon consent.

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.

📌 Lead, Strategic Partnerships and Program Implementation (India)
🏢 Room to Read
📍 India