Book Supply Chain Technical Expert

The Opportunity

Room to Read is seeking a Book Supply Chain Technical Expert for the anticipated three-year, $6 million USAID-funded Teaching and Learning Materials Supply Chain cooperative agreement in Rwanda. This proposed activity uses a market systems development approach to bring together stakeholders, identify points of leverage, and optimize the market’s functionality to strengthen the book supply chain in Rwanda and address the “business side of literacy.”

To become literate, children and families need access to reading materials; yet there is limited availability and irregular supply of reading materials in Rwandan schools and communities. This activity builds upon evidence and experience from USAID, the Global Book Alliance in Action (GBAIA), and the World Bank’s Results in Education for All Children (REACH) Trust Fund projects at the country level.

By addressing inefficiencies, leveraging opportunities along the book supply chain and within the entire market system, and engaging stakeholders in government, the private sector, and communities, this TLM Market System Development Activity will strengthen the market system for teaching and learning materials and increase the quantity, quality, affordability, and accessibility of books and other reading materials (physical and digital) in schools, homes, and communities, contributing to improved reading outcomes.

The Book Supply Chain Technical Expert reports directly to the Chief of Party (COP) and ensures technical implementation of high impact, proven interventions that meet stated goals and reporting requirements.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

What You’ll Do:

• Alongside the COP, ensure that technical and programmatic elements are delivered according to agreement requirements, government engagement, and that all deliverables are completed within the agreed budget and schedule.
• Provide technical leadership on book supply chain management, institutional and government strengthening, TLM procurement, and private sector engagement.
• Contribute to USAID’s efforts to establish a sustainable book supply chain in Rwanda.
• Lead all interventions under the program’s book supply chain component, including but not limited to: enhancing government partners capacity to forecast, plan, procure and distribute TLM; improve private enterprises’ capacity to produce and distribute TLM that are gender sensitive and reflect UDL principles; and increase demand for books and other reading materials and their availability through retail channels.
• Provide ongoing technical support to the Government of Rwanda, Rwanda Basic Education Board, and civil society on matters pertaining to book, teaching, and learning materials procurement and supply chain management.
• Assist in the preparation of programmatic workplans, technical reporting, realistic budgets, and any monitor progress toward completion of program objectives.
• Coordinate closely with project leadership as well as Room to Read backstopping support.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in education, international development, or other related field is required; master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum 7-9 years of progressively responsible professional experience in designing, implementing and/or managing education, literacy or book supply chain activities of similar size and scope to the proposed activity in resource constrained environments.
• Experience in the Rwandan or East African context required.
• Demonstrated expertise in book supply chains, market systems development and private sector engagement.
• Demonstrated management, leadership and technical skills.
• Expertise in project management, including developing implementation plans with key stakeholders, recruiting key personnel, overseeing start up and effectively managing subsequent activities.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government representatives, private sector entities, publishers, local organizations, donors, etc.
• In-depth knowledge of USAID approaches, policies and regulations.
• Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills in English; language skills in Kinyarwanda or French preferred.

About Room to Read:

Room to Read is a dynamic non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. Working and collaborating globally, we develop literacy skills among primary school children, and support girls to complete secondary school with relevant life skills. Room to Read has reached children across five continents, with plans to benefit more than 40 million children by 2025. Learn more at www.roomtoread.org.

Room to Read is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled.