Project: Library and Reading Initiative (LARI) in Obaidullaganj

Position: Co-Project In Charge

Location: Primarily Bhopal and field offices in Obaidullganj block (Gauharganj Tehsil) of Raisen District

About the project: 

Eklavya envisions the library-cum-reading initiative as a field-based model that attempts to create a ‘reading and exploration friendly environment’ to foster ‘reading habit’ and ‘inquisitiveness’ among the children and communities. Towards this a hub and spoke model to ensure large-scale geographic coverage is proposed that will function at two levels: 

  • The Chakmak Clubs (CC), an informal library-cum-reading space, will be set up in the villages and will be anchored by middle school students who are identified and continuously oriented for the role. These Chakmak Clubs will be the ‘spokes’ for reaching out to all the children/students in the village. 
  • The Multi-disciplinary Learning Centers (MDLCs) will act as the nodal centers or the ‘hub’ for 10-12 village-level Chakmak Clubs. These will provide intensive resource support, capacity-building opportunities and academic inputs facilitated by the Eklavya core team. 

There will be other components in the project in addition to the above field-based model such as: 

  • Capacity Building forums: designing short-long courses for different stakeholders such as community members, SMC members, teachers, youth etc. The courses will enable participants to contribute to the libraries and deepen their understanding of the different elements of a library space.
  • Envision school libraries as active and vibrant spaces: There will be an exploratory engagement with 15 government schools to revitalize the school library with active rapport building with teachers and students.

If you have a passion for engaging with children, enabling their agency with the support of community members and teachers – and making an impact in their education and learning this is the role for you.

Must haves:

  • At least 2 years of experience in leading and working with a team
  • Passion for libraries, literature, and working with children
  • Spoken and written fluency in English and Hindi
  • Is creative and collaborative in approach and empathetic towards the surrounding 

Key responsibilities:

  • Overseeing project activities, including academic planning, baseline tests, and assessments
  • Facilitating team capacity building, liaisoning with government education bodies, and organizing stakeholder training. 
  • Planning and preparing team meetings, contributing to extending project learnings, and compiling reflective reports for knowledge enrichment
  • Providing academic support on-site, ensuring quality operations at CCs and MDLCs, developing student capacities, engaging in community meetings, organizing workshops, coordinating field activities, and preparing reflective reports to contribute to project insights. 
  • Revisiting the vision of the project and shaping the field operations accordingly in consultation with the director and other senior Eklavya team members
  • Maintaining rapport with the funding agency and is the key person for project-related presentations
  • Tracking and facilitating the professional growth of team members in consultation with existing forums within the organization
  • Ideating different mediums of documentation of the project including audio-visual and written forms

Financial remuneration: 40,000-45,000 per month

Joining: as soon as possible

Preference will be given to individuals from Dalit Bahujan, Adivasi, queer communities and women. 

Click here for applying online