Short-term Consultant – Advisor Germany (External Relations) (m/f/d)

Background

Are you a passionate advocate for education? Do you want to make a difference in the lives of children in the world’s poorest countries? 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 currently supports almost 90 low and lower-middle-income countries to transform their education systems so that all children can get the education they need to thrive. We work where the needs are greatest and focus on reaching the children who are the most vulnerable, including girls, children with disabilities and those who live in countries characterized 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.

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.

GPE’s work in Germany

Germany has been a member and active partner of the GPE since 2005. It is currently the fourth largest donor to the GPE. GPE’s work in Germany is primarily focused on positioning GPE amongst stakeholders, with a particular focus on the German government, parliament (Bundestag), civil society, and the media.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Advisor Germany to support the development and execution of GPE’s Germany strategy in the lead-up to GPE’s next replenishment (expected to be held in 2026). The short-term consultant (STC) will serve initially for 50-60 days until December 2024 (an average of 2.5 days a week), with the possibility of extension. The position holder should be preferably based in Berlin, Germany.

Application deadline: June 7, 2024, but applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis

Preferred starting date: As soon as possible

Duties and Accountabilities

The position is part of the External Relations Team (EXR) whose responsibilities include donor relations, communications, advocacy, civil society outreach, private sector and private foundation outreach and has the primary responsibility for positioning GPE amongst stakeholders in Germany, with particular focus on Parliament (Bundestag) and civil society. The position sits within the Donor Relations Team, which takes a “whole of country” approach managing relationships with government, parliament, civil society. foundations, media and political influencers. The position reports to the Head of Donor Relations.

An initial identification of tasks includes the following:

• Liaise closely with other GPE colleagues working on Germany;
• Lead on GPE’s relations with the German Parliament (Bundestag), further develop and implement an ambitious cross-party Parliamentary strategy for GPE’s work in Germany;
• Identify and liaise with possible new influencers, who could help channeling education into the public debate in Germany and help promoting education and GPE in the national context;
• Lead on the relations with German civil society organizations (CSOs). Cooperate with communication and advocacy colleagues of national CSOs and GPE youth leaders on joint campaigning;
• Identify and organize (virtual) key events in Germany for GPE and position GPE’s leadership and youth at these events; Draft qualitative briefings in English;
• Draft and tailor advocacy and comms tools in German such as OPEDs, blogs or campaign tools.

Selection Criteria

• Masters’ degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum of 5 years’ experience working within the field of Donor relations, Partnerships, and/or Advocacy;
• Solid advocacy experience in the German context;
• Flexible and enthusiastic team player with a track record of delivering in a fast-moving environment;
• Strong project-management skills;
• Ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritize and juggle multiple tasks within tight deadlines, and to deliver time-sensitive high-quality work.
• Demonstrated strength in written and oral communications in German and English and proven record in having developed or contributed to campaigns for social change, political change and fundraising purposes;
• Fluency in German and English is required

How to apply

Please send your CV and brief cover letter with “Advisor Germany” in the subject line by 7 June 2024.

Click on the APPLY NOW Button further down and send in your application. 

Diversity and inclusion statement

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.