Communications Manager – Room to Read

Room to Read India was established in 2003 and presently have programs in 9 states, Chhattisgarh, Delhi NCR, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Telangana,Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh. Literacy Program implemented in 9661 government schools,20,342 teachers trained in library management and reading activities. 17,868 girls benefitted from our Girls’ Education Program Room to Read is a global organization transforming the lives of millions of children in low income communities by focusing on literacy and gender equality in education. Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, our innovative model focuses on deep, systemic transformation within schools during two time periods that are most critical in a child’s schooling: early primary school for literacy acquisition and secondary school for girls’ education. We work in collaboration with local communities, partner organizations, and governments to develop literacy skills and a habit of reading among primary school children and ensure girls can complete secondary school with the skills necessary to negotiate key life decisions. By focusing on the quality of education provided within the communities and ensuring these outcomes are measured, we have created a model that can be replicated, localized and sustained by governments. Room to Read has  benefited 16.6 million children across over 30,000 communities in Bangladesh, Cambodia,Grenada, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Rwanda, South Africa,Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Vietnam, and Zambia.

Room to Read global headquarters is in San Francisco, and we have smaller fundraising offices in Hong Kong, London, and Delhi. We have an Asia Regional Office located in New Delhi, a Southern Africa Regional Office in Pretoria, and program offices in Colombo, Dhaka, Ho Chi Minh City, Kathmandu, Lusaka, New Delhi, Pretoria, Phnom Penh, and Vientiane.

Room to Read is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and expects everyone to share this commitment.

Position Overview:

The Communications Manager will lead internal and external communication, outreach and donor engagement of Room to Read India. S/He will be part of the extended Country Management Team and will report to the Deputy Country Director. The Room to Read India Trust,C/O Delhi Airport Metro Express Pvt. Ltd.D-21 Corporate Park,Office No. 201E (B), 2nd floor,Sector – 21,
Dwarka,Near Dwarka Sector 8 Metro Station,New Delhi – 110075.Telephone: 011 30491900 website: www.roomtoread.orgin cumbent will work in close coordination with the Program (LP and GEP) and the Program Operations Team. The incumbent will also closely coordinate with the Global Marketing and Donor Communications Team. This is a supervisory role.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Develop an India specific communications strategy that takes into account all stakeholders (Government, donors, non-profits in development space, and academics) and long-term objectives of the organization’s strategic plan.
• Lead the development of well-designed content and materials for external outreach and policy advocacy. These materials, with information from India as well as global RtR programs, may include print, multimedia, web and social media etc as needed. Materials may be new for the Indian environment or contextualized from global materials. Coordinate with global marketing and donor communications teams to ensure highest quality standards of all materials before distribution.
• Develop a thorough understanding of Room to Read programs, achievements and comparative advantage
• Develop an India-specific press plan that aligns with global standards. Ensure targeted press placements and speaking engagements for senior leadership to broaden exposure and pipeline development. Engage with pro bono PR partners as needed.
• Work closely with program directors to ensure media presence and visibility of Room to
Read events and achievements. Guide and advice on press releases at the country or state level
• Act as a spokesperson of RtR programs with local and international media. Develop and maintain strong media contacts and networks
• In collaboration with Program and Operation Directors, develop a common agreement on the messaging of program achievements, outcomes and assessment results that can be shared externally.
• Work with country management team and business development colleagues to develop strategic partnerships with other organizations that can provide broader exposure to Room to Read’s brand – e.g. television and radio stations, corporate collectives. Assist in identifying and developing application for awards like Great Place to Work etc that enhance the visibility of the organization.
• Partner with business development colleagues on cause-marketing partnerships and partner on pitches and promotional materials.

• Improve quality of donor reports, especially photographs and case studies. Coordinate and track timely submission of all donor reports
• Work with global site visit team to develop contextual guidance for donors on school visits addressing issues of child protection, dressing, social norms, and photography.
• Work with program operations team to manage development of a SOP on donor visits for Room to Read staff, including communication and coordination protocols and checklists.
• Manage training of program staff involved in donor visits; key messages, articulation of results, response to queries, non-verbal communication etc
• Help develop creative and impactful employment engagement opportunities that appeal to donors, donor employees and can align with and enhance program activities.
• Conceptualize and lead internal communications of the organization. Ensure organizational initiatives and projects are successfully communicated to employees and stakeholders. Ensure internal communications messages are consistent with external communications and across all mediums and different departments of the organization.
• Handle the internal communication response to crisis situations which affect organizational perception and reputation.
• Manage the communications budget of the organization; planning and budgeting, cash forecast, expenditure tracking

Qualification and Experience:

The candidate must have at least 10 years of experience in communications with a minimum of 2 years in a senior strategic role. Experience in the development projects will be an advantage.
Strong media network and press connections are necessary.
Post-graduation in a related field (Journalism, Mass communication, International Relations,Marketing etc) is essential.
Apart from the above the candidate must possess the following skills:
• Writing skills: The candidate need excellent writing, editing and proofreading skills as well as the journalistic ability to source stories to be presented both at national and
international forums.

• Speaking skills: The candidate also need strong speaking skills as s/he likely to be called on to give presentations to external bodies and to the staff. The communications managers need sensitivity to an organisation’s goals and values and the ability to relay them to employees and external stakeholders.
• Interpersonal skills: the candidate should have good interpersonal and relationshipbuilding skills in order to work effectively with different departments and levels of staff, from field staff to senior executives.
• Creative skills: The candidate should have the creative ability to think of innovative
means of communication and outreach. S/he will need to ensure that all outreach
materials developed are creative and impactful.
• Digital skills: Familiarity with information technology, especially digital and video means of communication, is essential.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position will be determined based upon the experience of the candidate hired. Health benefits are also provided. The non-monetary compensation includes a unique opportunity to be part of an innovative, meaningful, and rapidly growing organization that is changing the world through the lifelong gift of education.

Application Procedure:
Please submit your resume and cover letter by email (no calls, faxes, or drop-ins, please) to in.hiring@roomtoread.org with “Manager, Communication” as the case might be in the subject line.

Due to the high volume of applicant response, not all applicants may receive a response from Room to Read.

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