Officer, Quality Reading Materials

Position Overview:

The Quality Reading Materials officer (QRM Officer)’s primary responsibilities include providing technical support in all aspects of QRM publishing initiatives. The person should have clear understanding of children’s publications, local publishing industry, educational materials, and country-context of the use of educational materials in pre-primary and primary grades. Coordinate and lead Book Development both standard book and custom project, Global Project, and Literacy Cloud work. Coordinate and cooperate with Local Publishers for Co-Book development and Co-publishing.

The position is based in Vientiane with some travel required and reports directly to the Quality Reading Materials Manager.

Responsibilities

 Overall

• Support the design and development of materials, training plans, and professional learning resources to ensure high-quality QRM implementation.
• Ensure QRM activities are implemented in alignment with global guidelines and country priorities.
• Contribute to research and learning activities to strengthen program effectiveness.
• Support the management and effective use of digital platforms (e.g., Literacy Cloud), coordinating with CO and GO teams as needed.
• Collaborate with Program Operations and Administration teams to coordinate logistics for QRM activities.

Management and Coordination

• Collaborate with government counterparts and partners (e.g., MOES, MOICT, publishers) to support effective program implementation.
• Maintain regular communication with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with program objectives and guidance from the QRM Manager.

 Program Design, Implementation, Training, and Monitoring

• Support the development of tools, guidelines, and curricula for book publishing partnerships (e.g., book review manuals).
• Contribute to end-to-end book development processes, including manuscript review, illustration, layout, and finalization of materials.
• Coordinate with Global Office teams to address technical issues and ensure alignment with global standards.

Planning, Reporting and Documentation

• Provide inputs to planning, budgeting, and forecasting processes in line with CO and GO guidance.
• Prepare and manage book data for publication on Literacy Cloud and government platforms, ensuring accurate records in GSD.
• Collect, consolidate, and analyze program data to support monitoring and reporting.
• Document program outputs, best practices, and lessons learned, and maintain organized records on SharePoint.

 Networking and Thought Leadership

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, publishers, and private sector partners.
• Represent Room to Read in relevant forums, promoting collaboration, knowledge sharing, and quality children’s reading materials.

 Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, Language, Communication, or Fine Arts (Master’s degree preferred)
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience with NGOs, INGOs, or publishing companies
• Strong understanding of the local publishing industry and children’s literature
• Proficient in both Lao and English (spoken and written)
• Experience managing the printing and publication process
• Familiarity with book leveling standards and educational material design
• Skilled in manuscript editing, graphic design, and layout (experience with Adobe Photoshop and InDesign is a plus)
• Strong report writing and documentation skills
• Proven ability to deliver results and meet deadlines

Preferred:

• Facilitation and training skills
• Previous experience in children’s book publishing
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Experience working with writers, illustrators, and schools
• Ability to translate between English and Lao

Compensation

Room to Read Laos values the commitment of our staff, and offers a professional & respected working environment, competitive monthly salary and other benefits such as annual salary review, a Wellbeing allowance, 13th month salary bonus, gratuity bonus, performance bonus, Staff Medical Insurance, Social Security Organization (SSO), annual medical check-up, phone allowance and other leave benefits based on Lao Labour Law.

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.

 Application: click on: https://osv-rtr.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/RoomToRead/job/Laos—Main—Vientiane/Officer–Quality-Reading-Materials_R-03276