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 Christine Hogan. 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 offices in Paris, Brussels and Chennai.
ABOUT THE TEAM
The Secretariat Operations team provides a wide range of support to the GPE Secretariat: human resources, staffing, workforce planning, administrative, events management, procurement, translation services, travel support, work and budget planning, organization design and development, IT systems and knowledge management, and others. Its mission is to help the organization operate as effectively and efficiently as possible.
This position will report into the Team Lead of Travel, Events management, and Procurement (TEP) team.
ABOUT THE JOB
This position is located in Washington DC, USA.
Description
This position/role has two main functions: Events management and special assistant role. Subject to workload, this role will also be involved in implementing the Secretariat Operations team‘s special projects.
The successful candidate will be located within the Secretariat Services Team and will work closely with all team members across the Secretariat.
The mission of the Secretariat Services team is to coordinate and improve the efficient management of many of the organization’s internal administrative and planning processes in the areas of human resources, procurement, events, travel, translations, facilities, risk, policy compliance, and other areas. The Secretariat Services team is made up of three functions/sub teams: i) Human Resources ii) Central Support; and iii) Travel, Events Management and Procurement (TEP). This position will be part of the Travel, Events Management and Procurement (TEP).
Duties And Accountabilities
An initial identification of tasks is below; however, additional tasks may be identified according to the needs of the team.
Events Management
•Lead on planning, organizing and executing partner country constituency meetings and other key events and provide overall logistics and operational support which includes, handling administrative and logistic arrangements, negotiation with the hotel, vendors, hotel booking for external delegates, arranging ground transportation, per diem management, preparing and issuing invitations, attending meeting, managing a data base of vendors, liaising with procurement and GPE team members etc.
•Develop policy guidance/checklist for execution of work related to large/key events incl defining the scope of events management support, procedure for requesting support from team for organizing events
•Act as a TEP events coordinator (for operational aspect of the work) for some of the key events and ensure smooth execution.
•Act as a SME for all events related policy, process and resources and design and develop workplan for key events.
•Conduct market research on potential vendors to support events and logistics management.
•Provide support to overall GPE’s replenishment campaign work.
•Monitor events budget and procurement of vendors for events.
•Provide back up support to TEP team members in their absence or during periods of heavy workload
•Perform other ad hoc activities/tasks as needed/required to support the team.
Special Assistant to Chief Operating Officer and Support Specific Projects
•Provide with the highest level of discretion, a wide range of special assistant support to GPE’s Chief Operating Officer (COO).
•Advise the COO on strategic, operational and logistical matters, including gathering data and conducting analysis to support timely decision-making.
•Manage the COO’s internal and external engagements.
•Conduct research and support the analytical needs of key projects within the Secretariat Operations team.
Selection Criteria
Education
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field and 4 years of relevant of experience or a masters and 2 years of relevant experience
Language
Full proficiency in English, both oral and written.
Experience
•Prior experience organizing events would be preferred.
•Ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritize and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines, and to deliver time-sensitive high-quality work.
•Ability to work with a diverse team in a rapidly changing work environment.
•Good team player, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and able to interact tactfully with people at all levels.
•Thorough knowledge of all relevant computer software: Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
COMPETENCIES
Accountability & Results Focus – Manages own work; takes 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. Takes ownership of own mistakes, failures or oversights, and seeks to correct them. Raises issues or differences of opinion that threaten progress.
Adaptability – Has high degree of flexibility – responds to changing circumstances without losing momentum. Learns new skills and performs work in different ways. Remains calm in stressful situations. Professionally deals with personal discomfort in a changing work environment.
Collaboration & Teamwork – Actively collaborates with others and displays open, helpful disposition. Acts as a teammate, stepping in to support colleagues when asked. Recognizes and values the role of each team in delivering on GPE’s mission. Approaches challenges and obstacles as shared challenges to be overcome.
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. Is able to communicate complex information in succinct and digestible ways. Shares information and keeps people informed; Operates with transparency, in a way that builds trust in a culturally diverse environment. Maintains productive working relationships with colleagues.
Planning & Organizing – Works well independently and in teams. Plans and prioritizes work effectively, making adjustments as needed to accommodate changes. Sets and meets individual deadlines. Ability to work under pressure and against tight timelines, and still deliver high-quality work.
Quantitative and Analytical Skills – Able to process, organize, analyze, and monitor large volumes of information and data for well-defined tasks. Able to identify key issues, weigh pros and cons, and make informed decisions. Checks assumptions against facts and evidence. Solid analytical report writing skills.
Client Service Orientation – Models positive attitude for junior staff and demonstrates creative problem-solving skills. Strong commitment to seeing client issues, problems and questions through to resolution. Exceptional listening skills; takes the time to fully understand the situation and urgency of client issues and needs. Comfortable dealing with staff and partners at all levels of the organization and able to tailor solutions and communications accordingly. Experience managing and resolving conflicts; judgment to know when escalation is needed. Discretion and tact in dealing with sensitive issues. Proactively engages with clients and evaluates the quality of services they receive, identifies how services can be changed or improved to better satisfy expectations.
Knowledge of Policies, Processes, and Systems Relevant to GPE – In depth knowledge of the policies, processes, and systems governing the work of the Secretariat (including GPE’s and World Bank’s), and of those pertaining directly to one’s own team and work program. Serves as subject matter expert for more junior team members. Proactively stays abreast of any changes and shares that knowledge with junior team members. Maintains a network of related focal points for any questions, clarifications, or issues. Supports junior staff as needed. Strong understanding of the Secretariat’s organizational and governance structure, and of how the work of Secretariat Services contributes to GPE’s operations and mission.
Policy and Process Development & Management – Experience developing and implementing policies and ensuring compliance. Experience developing, implementing, managing and improving business processes. Knowledge of workflow automation tools and approaches. Experience using online survey tools to gather information and inform products and improvements. Experience with work planning and budgeting frameworks and processes. Well versed in the use of metrics to track, analyze and measure outcomes.
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 disabilityfund@worldbank.org 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.