Consultant – Partner Landscape Analysis, Central Appalachia

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.

Consultant – Partner Landscape Analysis, Central Appalachia

Location: United States; Central Appalachia experience strongly preferred
Consultancy period: September–December 2026 (16 weeks)

About Room to Read

Room to Read is creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. We work with governments and partner organizations to help children develop literacy skills and a habit of reading and to support children as they build the skills they need to succeed in school and make key life decisions. Room to Read has benefited more than 45 million children and has worked in 24 countries, with additional support delivered through remote solutions.

About the Consultancy

Room to Read is seeking an experienced consultant to conduct a Partner Landscape Analysis of the literacy ecosystem across Central Appalachia, with a particular focus on:

• East Tennessee

• Southwest Virginia

• Eastern Kentucky

• Southern West Virginia

• Western North Carolina

The consultant will help us develop a comprehensive understanding of the organizations, networks, initiatives, and systems supporting early literacy across the region, with a focus on children from pre-K through third grade.

The analysis will identify key stakeholders, potential implementation partners, regional strengths, service gaps, and opportunities for collaboration. Findings will help inform Room to Read's strategy for future engagement and literacy programming in Central Appalachia.

What You'll Do

The consultant will:

• Conduct a landscape scan of the Central Appalachian literacy and education ecosystem using publicly available research, datasets, policy documents, organizational materials, and other relevant sources.

• Map organizations and initiatives supporting early childhood literacy, family literacy, book access, reading promotion, and out-of-school literacy programming.

• Research and assess nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, libraries, government agencies, funders, community-based organizations, and other potential partners.

• Examine relevant state and regional education systems, literacy initiatives, professional learning networks, and school district efforts.

• Conduct interviews and meetings with selected literacy organizations, educational leaders, libraries, funders, and community partners, as needed.

• Map existing partnerships, collaborative networks, regional initiatives, geographic coverage, and areas of focus.

• Identify regional strengths, service gaps, unmet needs, funding opportunities, and promising literacy models.

• Assess and prioritize potential partners based on alignment with Room to Read's mission and program objectives.

• Develop recommendations for potential pilot communities and short-, medium-, and long-term engagement.

• Provide warm introductions to key stakeholders where appropriate.

• Present findings and strategic recommendations to Room to Read's project team.

Key Deliverables

By the end of the consultancy, the consultant will provide:

• Comprehensive Central Appalachia Literacy Partner Landscape Analysis

• Regional partner database

• Partner ecosystem/landscape map

• Strategic Partner Engagement Plan

• Prioritized list of organizations recommended for future engagement

• Executive summary of findings and recommendations

• Presentation of findings to the Room to Read project team

Qualifications

We're looking for a consultant with:

• Bachelor's degree in education, public policy, nonprofit management, community development, library and information science, or a related field.

• Demonstrated knowledge of the literacy landscape, education systems, cultural context, and community-based organizations within Central Appalachia or the broader Appalachian region.

• Residence in or demonstrated professional experience working within Central Appalachia or the broader Appalachian region strongly preferred.

• Proven experience conducting landscape analyses, environmental scans, and independent qualitative research through document review, online research, and stakeholder interviews.

• Strong understanding of early literacy, family literacy, school readiness, K–3 education, or related educational initiatives.

• Experience identifying, assessing, and engaging nonprofit organizations, educational institutions, libraries, government agencies, and other community partners.

• Ability to synthesize qualitative and quantitative information into clear, actionable reports and strategic recommendations.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing professional reports, briefing materials, and presentations.

• Strong organizational skills and the ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and meet deadlines.

• Strong attention to detail, sound judgment, and the ability to analyze complex information objectively.

Contract Terms

This is a fixed-fee consultancy running from September through December 2026. The final fee will be determined by mutual agreement, and the selected consultant must be able to complete the full scope of work within the agreed resources and timeframe.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can request the complete TOR from [email protected] and then submit a detailed proposal along with an estimated budget, CV and cover letter.

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.