ROOM TO READ

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

July 2026

 

Program Officer – Literacy

Vietnam

 

Department: Literacy Program

Level: Officer

Reports to: Senior Program Manager

 

Country profile: 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.

 

Position Overview

 

The Literacy Program Officer is responsible for coordinating the implementation, monitoring and reporting of Literacy Program activities in assigned provinces and project locations, ensuring delivery in accordance with approved designs, work plans, budgets and quality standards. Working closely with education authorities, schools, teachers, librarians, local trainers, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders, the Officer monitors progress, identifies issues requiring follow-up and supports partners to strengthen program quality and sustainability.

 

As a member of the Literacy Program team, the Officer also contributes to training, field-based technical support, documentation of implementation experience and selected program development or quality-improvement assignments. These assignments will be incorporated into the Officer’s approved workplan and coordinated through the Senior Program Manager.

 

The Literacy Program Officer reports directly to the Senior Program Manager.

 

Responsibilities

 

1. Program Implementation and Partner Coordination

• Coordinate the implementation of approved Literacy Program activities in assigned provinces and project locations.
• Prepare detailed activity plans, schedules, budgets in line with approved annual and project workplans.
• Work closely with provincial and local education authorities, schools and implementing partners to clarify roles, responsibilities, timelines and expected results.
• Support the assessment and selection of participating schools, project locations or partners using approved criteria and processes.
• Maintain regular communication with partners to monitor implementation progress, follow up on agreed actions and address operational issues.
• Coordinate meetings, workshops, implementation reviews and other implementation activities with government and program partners.
• Monitor partner commitments, activity timelines, expenditure and use of program resources, and promptly report significant delays, risks or deviations and work with the Senior Program Manager and relevant colleagues to identify practical solutions to implementation challenges.
• Support partners to integrate effective program practices into their regular school, district or provincial plans and systems.
• Coordinate program-related procurement, distribution of materials, travel and event logistics in collaboration with Finance, Administration and other relevant teams.
• Represent Room to Read at relevant provincial and local meetings, workshops and events as assigned by the Senior Program Manager.
• Support government, partner, donor and organizational visits to program sites when required.

 

2. Monitoring, Training and Reporting

• Conduct regular visits to schools and project locations to monitor implementation, progress and quality.
• Use approved monitoring tools to gather information on program activities, participation, implementation practices, challenges and emerging results.
• Provide practical coaching and follow-up support to teachers, librarians, school leaders, local trainers and other program participants during field visits and review activities.
• Coordinate and facilitate approved training sessions, orientations, workshops within areas for which the Officer has been prepared.
• Work with partners to develop and follow up on action plans arising from monitoring visits, training activities, reviews and assessments.
• Ensure that program information and data from assigned provinces are complete, accurate and entered into approved systems within required timelines.
• Conduct routine checks of program data and work with partners and relevant colleagues to resolve missing or inconsistent information.
• Prepare timely and accurate activity reports, field visit reports, implementation updates and other required documentation.
• Document effective practices, implementation challenges, adaptations, lessons learned and relevant examples from the field.
• Contribute information and field evidence to program reviews, donor reports, evaluations, case studies and organizational learning activities.
• Coordinate with Research, Monitoring and Evaluation colleagues to support data collection, assessments, studies and evaluations in assigned locations.

 

3. Program Quality and Technical Support

• Contribute to the adaptation, testing, revision and preparation of training materials, implementation guidance, tools, presentations and other learning resources as assigned.
• Support the implementation and documentation of pilots, assessments and new program approaches in assigned locations.
• Identify common technical or implementation issues emerging from the field and inform the Senior Program Manager and relevant technical colleagues.
• Contribute field experience, examples and practical recommendations to internal program reviews and technical discussions.
• Support the preparation of implementation guidance, presentations, training documentation, case examples and other learning materials where relevant.
• Participate in additional program quality or technical assignments incorporated into the approved workplan and assigned through the Senior Program Manager.

 

4. Other Responsibilities

• Participate actively in team planning, review meetings, professional development and organizational learning activities.
• Share relevant information, resources and lessons with colleagues and contribute to a collaborative and accountable working environment.
• Undertake other responsibilities reasonably related to the position and assigned through the Senior Program Manager.

 

Qualifications

 

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in education, social sciences, development studies, library or information science, project management or another relevant field.
• At least ten years of relevant professional experience in education, literacy, community development or program implementation.
• Experience working with government education authorities, schools, teachers, school leaders or implementing partners.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in Vietnamese.

• Commitment to Room to Read’s values of equity, child protection, and gender equality.

• Ability and willingness to travel frequently to project sites.

 

Preferred

• Good command of English for internal communication, document review and routine reporting.
• Ability to use generative AI and other digital tools responsibly to support drafting, information synthesis and work efficiency, with appropriate verification and protection of confidential information.
• Ability to work independently, organize competing priorities and collaborate effectively as part of a team.

 

Compensation:

We are committed to building and sustaining an engaged workforce through competitive compensation packages and generous benefits. Benefits vary based on the local requirements and best practices in the country where the position is based, but all employees are provided with comprehensive medical coverage, and paid time off, which we strongly encourage employees to use.

 

Application Procedure: As per country context

• Directly submit your application to email: [email protected] with the email subject: “POSITION – YEAR – YOUR FULL NAME”; or
• Our official website: About us -> Careers -> See current opportunities

 

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.

 

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

 

Room to 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.