United Nations Children's Fund
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JOB DESCRIPTION
Description
Are you a very passionate advocate for education? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children? The Global Partnership for Education Secretariat (GPE) would like to hear from you.
Who We Are
GPE is a shared commitment to end the world’s learning crisis. It is the only global partnership and fund dedicated entirely to helping children in lower-income countries get a quality education, so they can unlock their potential and contribute to building a better world.
We bring together governments, teachers, civil society, donors, United Nations agencies, development banks, businesses and private foundations to transform education systems so that
every girl and boy can have hope, opportunity and agency.
What We Do
GPE helps low- and lower-middle-income countries to build stronger education systems so that all children can get the education they need to thrive. We currently support nearly 90 countries where the needs are greatest and focus on reaching the children who are the most vulnerable, including girls, children with disabilities and those affected by extreme poverty or conflict. Our unique approach works. Since 2002, 160 million more children in GPE partner countries have set foot in classrooms for the first time, more than half of them girls. GPE is also the largest provider of education grants in the global COVID-19 response, providing partner countries with vital resources to ensure that learning can safely continue.
How We Work
Now, GPE is working to help governments transform their education systems to get the most vulnerable children in school, improve teaching and learning, and build equitable, inclusive and resilient education systems fit for the 21st century. Between 2020-2025, GPE will support transformative change in up to 90 countries and territories, which are home to 1 billion children.
Transforming education is about creating lasting changes and achieving impact at scale. GPE sets out to deliver this transformative change by convening partners, mobilizing funds and catalyzing reforms to help partner countries accelerate access, learning outcomes and gender equality.
Raise Your Hand
In July 2021, the Global Education Summit put GPE firmly on the path to be fully-funded by 2025, by raising a record US $4 billion from donors for GPE’s Raise Your Hand campaign. At the Summit, Heads of State and Government from partner countries made historic commitments to education financing and GPE also mobilized an unprecedented number of pledges from businesses, private foundations and development banks.
A fully funded GPE would support transformed education systems in up to 90 countries and territories, enable up to 175 million children to learn and help get 88 million more girls and boys in school by 2025. In the longer term, this investment could add $164 billion to economies in GPE partner countries, lift 18 million people out of poverty, and protect 2 million girls from early marriage.
Governance And Organizational Arrangements
The GPE Board of Directors includes ministerial-level board members and alternates representing 20 constituencies that reflect the Partnership’s breadth. The Board Chair is HE President Jakaya Kikwete and the Board Vice Chair is Dr Susan Liautaud. The Board of Directors, with its three standing committees, provides policy and strategic oversight and approves or delegates funding decisions.
The GPE Secretariat, with 160 employees and hosted by the World Bank, is responsible for translating the policies and strategies set by the Board into practical support for partner countries, coordinating with diverse stakeholders and galvanizing global support for SDG4. The Secretariat’s headquarters are in the World Bank’s offices in Washington, D.C. and the European office is in Paris with a satellite office in Brussels.
ABOUT THE TEAM
The Finance & Grant Operations team (FGO) works to maximize the impact of the GPE Fund. This is achieved through (a) sound financial planning, management, and analysis of resources, (b) robust fiduciary and risk oversight, (c) innovative financing, and (d) streamlined, well-orchestrated, clear and consistent processes to access GPE funds, including quality assurance, systems and tools, monitoring & data, and adaptive management processes to rapidly identify and support reprogramming needs.
This position sits under the Grant Operations practice which designs and provides grant related products and services in support of partner countries.
ABOUT THE JOB
This job is located in Washington D.C.
Description
The Grant Operations Officer works under the Grant Operations Lead and sits in the Grant Operations practice. S/He has a strong grasp of GPE’s key corporate and internal operational policies and procedures. S/He will work closely with a senior Grant Operations Officer to define and maintain pre-grant and grant policies, processes and standards, provides related subject matter expertise, and provides technical development to Country Programs Officers..
This position leads the development and maintenance of GPE grant guidelines, and application forms related to all core grant funding mechanisms, in close collaboration with the Sr. Grant Operations Officer who oversees the development of grant policies and standards.
As such, the Grant Operations Officer responsibilities will be to (a) lead on the development and dissemination of all grant-related materials needed by the country team and country partners to prepare and submit applications; (b) provide guidance to country-team (and where applicable country partners) on grant policy/guideline issues, and (c) lead on the development of communication tools on the different instruments available to country partners.
Duties And Accountabilities
The Grant Operations Officer will:
– Lead the development and maintenance of GPE grant guidelines, and application forms related to all core grant funding mechanisms. Ensure that adaptations of pre-grant and grant policies is duly translated into the guidelines and application forms..
– Supports on questions related to grant processes and guidelines, and how these impact on or are impacted by grant guidelines, and takes initiative to adapt those guidelines
– Ensures proper dissemination of the grant related documents through the GPE Website, GPE intranet, and develop training materials, and deliver presentations and training to both internal and external stakeholders as needed and in coordination with Grant Operations practice.
– Supports Sr. Grant Operations Officer in work with grant agents (GA) at headquarters level to address issues related to GPE guidelines, and how they relate to GA’s own policies .
– Works with Grant Data Analysts and Letter generation team to ensure maintenance of the grant guidelines/forms and appropriate development of letter templates for country communications..
– Acts as focal point with other teams as needed to develop and maintain Standard operating procedures (SOPs) related to application of GPE grant policy and guidelines.
– Ensures the automation of grant related processes in GPE’s information systems are consistent with guidelines and relevant SOPs.
Selection Criteria
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Education/Experience
• Bachelor’s degree with 7 years of experience or a Master’s with 5 years of experience.
• At least 5 years experience in grant portfolio management and grant monitoring or implementation with development agencies and/or INGOs (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
Competencies
Collaboration & Teamwork – Actively collaborates with others and models and open, helpful disposition. Acts as a teammate, proactively stepping in to support colleagues as needed. Recognizes and values the role of each team in delivering on GPE’s mission. Approaches challenges and obstacles as shared challenges to be overcome. Sincerely contributes to productive group dynamics and actively seeks and considers diverse ideas and approaches.
Accountability & Results Focus – Engages in productive consultation without losing sight of responsibility for own decisions, deliverables and deadlines. Doesn’t let the pursuit of perfection prevent forward progress. Seeks clarity when needed to move work forward and takes initiative to remove obstacles. Takes ownership of own mistakes, failures or oversights, and seeks to correct them. Manages differences of opinion to productive resolution so as not to impede progress. Works to ensure group efforts produce clear actions and decisions and tasks conclude.
Communication & Interpersonal Skills – Has experience & success working in multicultural environments. Speaks and writes clearly and effectively, adapting language, tone, style and message to diverse, multicultural audiences. Skilled at communicating complex information in succinct and digestible ways. Shares information and keeps people informed; Models transparency, in a way that builds trust in a culturally diverse environment. Maintains productive working relationships with colleagues and models this behavior for junior staff. Engages in active listening and two-way conversation. Asks questions for clarification and responds to others appropriately. Learns from others’ ideas and expertise.
Adaptability – Models flexibility – responds to changing circumstances by innovating and altering behavior to better fit different situations. Learns new skills and performs work in different ways. Remains calm in stressful situations and influences others do so. Professionally deals with personal discomfort in a changing work environment.
Planning & Organizing – Works well independently and in teams. Plans and prioritizes work effectively, making adjustments as needed to accommodate changes. Sets and meets individual and team deadlines. Works well under pressure and against tight timelines, and still delivers high-quality work. Foresees risks and identifies mitigation strategies and contingencies.
Foundational Technical Knowledge in Education & Development – Some experience working on education and/or development issues in low and middle income countries. Some exposure to the policy process. Awareness of unique considerations in fragile and conflict affected contexts. Knowledge of stakeholders, major issues and challenges.
Policy Dialogue Skills – Is aware of, and sensitive to, different stakeholder perspectives, interests and needs. Is effective at building trust and support for proposed courses of action or solutions. Possesses political judgment, diplomatic sense, negotiation, conflict resolution and problem-solving skills. Understands the importance of transparency & accountability in implementation of education policies and programs, and the importance of monitoring and tracking results. Has some understanding of country context – organizational or technical capacity of country partners; policy environment, laws and sector issues; key actors relevant to dialogue. Can work effectively within constraints to facilitate system transformation.
Quantitative and Analytical Skills – Able to process, organize, analyze and monitor large volumes of information and data and respond to demands at varying levels of detail. Able to identify key issues in complex situations, weigh pros and cons quickly, and make informed decisions. Checks assumptions against facts and evidence. Proficient in analytical report writing.
Grant Process and Operational Policy Knowledge – Strong knowledge of the grant lifecycle, instruments, and associated processes. Experience in one or more of the following areas: grant portfolio management, grant implementation modalities, program evaluation, or other areas relevant to the work. Solid understanding of grant related operational policies, such as conditions and processes to access GPE grants and requirements with regards to implementation & reporting. Experience developing, supporting, managing, and evaluating education-related programs. Some knowledge of procurement and disbursement, fiduciary, safeguard, governance and anticorruption – and their application to the grant cycle. Ability to advise Secretariat teams and country partners on appropriate use of policies, procedures and instruments.
BENEFITS FOR THIS POSITION
Term appointments include, but are not limited to, medical benefits, including dental and vision, Staff Retirement Plan, financial assistance program, life & disability insurance, comprehensive leave policy (minimum 26 days/annum) and parental leave policy (50-100 days).
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
Poverty has no borders. Neither does excellence. This is why we continually search for qualified individuals with a diverse set of backgrounds from around the globe. We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, creed, race, color, ethnicity, sexual orientation or disability.
GPE has a zero-tolerance policy against all forms of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in line with its PSEAH policy.
Individuals with disabilities may be provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions of the role and support in receiving other workplace accommodations. Please contact the DAF-Disability Accommodation Fund at [email protected] for further information and support.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
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