Consultant – Mongolia Education & Literacy Desk Review

World Change Starts with Educated Children® 

IMPORTANT: All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the country where the position is located. Room to Read is not able to provide sponsorship.

Consultancy period: August 24 – October 2, 2026

Please submit your CV and a cover letter outlining your qualifications, along with three references, to [email protected] by August 14, 2026. Please include "Mongolia Desk Study" in the subject line.

Room to Read is seeking an experienced consultant to conduct a desk review of Mongolia's education, literacy, and children's book publishing landscape. This short-term consultancy will inform Room to Read's assessment of future programming opportunities in Mongolia.

The consultant will review existing research and policy documents, identify additional sources of information, conduct interviews with key stakeholders as needed, and prepare a report and presentation summarizing findings and recommendations.

Key responsibilities include:

• Review education policies, research, and national statistics related to early childhood and primary education.

• Analyze Mongolia's education system, teacher training, curriculum, literacy initiatives, and learning environment.

• Assess the children's book publishing ecosystem, including publishers, authors, illustrators, and library networks.

• Map key government, NGO, and development partners working in education and literacy.

• Conduct interviews with relevant stakeholders, as appropriate.

• Prepare a 10–15 page report, executive summary, and presentation highlighting findings and strategic recommendations.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in education or a related field.

• Experience conducting qualitative research, policy analysis, or education sector assessments.

• Knowledge of early grade literacy, curriculum, teacher development, or children's publishing.

• Excellent analytical, writing, and presentation skills in English.

• Understanding of gender-sensitive and inclusive research approaches.

• Experience working in Mongolia and/or current residence in Mongolia is strongly preferred.

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.

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.

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.