Florida Partner Landscape Study Consultant

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 for Florida Partner Landscape Analysis

United States | 16 weeks | Anticipated November 2026 to March 2027

Overview

Room to Read seeks an independent consultant to analyze Florida's early literacy ecosystem and recommend where and how the organization should build partnerships and expand its work. The consultant will conduct desk research, map organizations and initiatives, interview selected stakeholders, assess gaps and opportunities, and deliver a practical partner engagement plan.

This is a fixed-fee, deliverable-based consultancy expected to require 16 weeks. The consultant will determine the detailed methodology, workplan, and level of effort needed to complete the assignment. Exact start and end dates will be confirmed in the contract.

About Room to Read

Founded in 2000, Room to Read works to create a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality. We help children in historically low-income communities develop literacy skills and a habit of reading, and support children as they build the skills needed to succeed in school and make key life decisions. We work with governments and partner organizations to achieve impact at scale. Room to Read has benefited more than 45 million children and has worked in 24 countries, with additional support provided through remote learning solutions.

Purpose of the Assignment

The analysis will give Room to Read a clear, statewide view of the organizations, networks, initiatives, and systems that support literacy for children from pre-K through third grade. It will identify potential implementation partners, regional strengths, service gaps, communities with the greatest need, and opportunities for collaboration.

The findings will guide Room to Read's future engagement in Florida, including stakeholder outreach, partnership development, program planning, and selection of the next priority area for expansion.

Geographic Scope

The assignment covers Florida statewide, including areas beyond Room to Read's current Southeast Florida footprint in Collier, Lee, Hendry, and Glades Counties. The consultant should use statewide, regional, and local information as appropriate and highlight scalable models and partnership opportunities.

Scope of Work

The consultant will examine the following areas:

• Statewide context: Relevant demographic, socioeconomic, educational, and literacy data; major trends; and factors affecting educational opportunity.

• Literacy programs and initiatives: Early childhood and family literacy; summer and out-of-school programs; book access and reading promotion; and state or regional literacy campaigns.

• Education system: State agencies, school districts, regional service organizations, curriculum and instructional priorities, professional learning networks, and district initiatives related to reading achievement.

• Libraries and book access: State and public library systems, regional consortia, community literacy hubs, book distribution networks, and literacy outreach programs.

• Potential partners: Nonprofits, community-based organizations, higher education institutions, government agencies, funders, national organizations with a Florida presence, and corporate partners.

• Regional assets and gaps: Collaborative networks, funding opportunities, aligned initiatives, gaps in services or geographic coverage, and opportunities for expansion.

• Strategic options: Priority partners and communities, potential pilot opportunities, implementation considerations, and short-, medium-, and long-term engagement strategies.

Methodology

Applicants should propose the methodology they believe will best achieve the assignment's purpose. The approach is expected to include the following activities, but applicants may recommend alternatives or additions:

• Review relevant reports, research, datasets, policy documents, strategic plans, annual reports, and other public information.

• Conduct an environmental scan of organizations, agencies, educational institutions, libraries, funders, networks, and community groups involved in literacy.

• Conduct interviews with a targeted number of literacy leaders, educators, funders, library representatives, and community partners where these conversations will add useful context. Applicants should recommend the anticipated number of interviews in their proposal.

• Map organizations, initiatives, relationships, geographic reach, and areas of focus.

• Assess potential partners using clear criteria, including mission alignment, program relevance, reach, capacity, and potential role.

• Identify promising practices and models that could inform Room to Read's work in Florida.

• Analyze unmet needs, service and geographic gaps, ecosystem dynamics, and opportunities for Room to Read to add value.

Workplan and Milestones

The consultant will refine the workplan with Room to Read at the start of the engagement. The expected sequence is below.

Timing

Expected outputs

Month 1

Initiation and planning

Kickoff; finalized methodology, workplan, research framework, partner criteria, communication cadence, and list of background materials.

Month 1

Statewide scan

Initial ecosystem scan and preliminary database of organizations, initiatives, agencies, libraries, educational institutions, and funders.

Month 2

Partner research and mapping

Assessment of potential partners; key contacts; preliminary partner map; and initial analysis of partnership opportunities.

Month 3

Stakeholder engagement and analysis

Selected interviews; refined map and database; analysis of relationships, ecosystem dynamics, strengths, gaps, and opportunities.

Month 4

Strategy and final deliverables

Prioritized partners and engagement approach; final report, database, ecosystem map, executive summary, recommendations, and presentation.

Final Deliverables

• Final Florida Literacy Partner Landscape Analysis report, including an executive summary, findings, and actionable recommendations.

• Searchable partner database, including a prioritized list of organizations for future engagement.

• Partner ecosystem map showing sectors, geographic coverage, relationships, and areas of focus.

• Strategic Partner Engagement Plan, including recommended sequencing and next steps.

• Presentation of findings and recommendations to the Room to Read project team.

All deliverables must be provided in editable formats agreed with Room to Read. Room to Read will review deliverables against the agreed scope and workplan.

Contract Terms

• The anticipated period of performance is 16 weeks within the November 2026-March 2027 window. Exact dates will be stated in the contract.

• The engagement will be structured as a fixed-fee consultancy. Applicants should propose a fee that covers the full scope of work and all required resources.

• The consultant will determine how to organize and perform the work, subject to the agreed deliverables, milestones, deadlines, and coordination requirements.

• Any travel or other reimbursable expenses must be approved in advance and handled in accordance with the contract.

Qualifications

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Experience conducting landscape analyses, environmental scans, or comparable independent research using document review, online research, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews.

• Knowledge of early literacy, family literacy, school readiness, K-3 education, book access, or related initiatives.

• Knowledge of Florida's education and literacy landscape, gained through residence or substantial professional experience in the state.

• Experience identifying and assessing nonprofits, educational institutions, libraries, government agencies, funders, and community partners.

• Ability to analyze qualitative and quantitative information and turn it into clear findings and practical recommendations.

• Strong project management and communication skills, with the ability to work independently and deliver high-quality reports and presentations on schedule.

Application Requirements

Apply through the Room to Read careers page by October 14, 2026. The application should include:

• Technical proposal of no more than five pages: Describe your proposed approach, methodology, data sources, workplan, milestones, level of effort, and fixed fee. Briefly explain how your experience prepares you to complete the assignment.

• CV: Include a current CV showing your relevant experience.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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.

Room to Read is an equal opportunity employer committed to identifying and developing the skills and leadership of people from diverse backgrounds.

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.

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.

About Us

Founded in 2000 on the belief that World Change Starts with Educated Children®, Room to Read is creating a world free from illiteracy and gender inequality through education.