Partnership Specialist, Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) and Education Out Loud (EOL), GPE
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Job #: |
req30052 |
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Organization: |
World Bank |
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Sector: |
Operations |
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Grade: |
GF |
| Term Duration: | 3 years 0 months |
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Recruitment Type: |
Local Recruitment |
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Location: |
Paris,France |
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Required Language(s): |
English |
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Preferred Language(s): |
French and Spanish |
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Closing Date: |
11/14/2024 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC |
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 and a support office in Chennai.
ABOUT THE TEAM
The Partnerships Team of the Secretariat is charged with ensuring internal coordination and strategic engagement of partners to achieve education system transformation in our partner countries.
The Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) is a GPE asset through which partner countries develop and share relevant knowledge, experience, and evidence, with the aim of improving outcomes for children through more informed policy dialogue and reform processes. KIX was launched in 2019 after a comprehensive design process, comprising consultations with all of GPE’s constituencies, and under the oversight of the GPE Board. The current phase of KIX runs to 2027 and is being implemented by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), an organization headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, who acts as the grant agent, co-funder, and core implementing partner for KIX. Education Out Loud (EOL) is the Global Partnership for Education’s fund for advocacy and social accountability. It supports civil society to be active and influential in shaping education policy to better meet the needs of communities, especially of vulnerable and marginalized populations. Implemented by Oxfam Denmark, Education Out Loud is the biggest fund in the world supporting civil society education advocacy, with grant support to civil society partners in more than 60 countries.
ABOUT THE JOB
This position will be based initially in Paris France but may be relocated if business needs arise that make it necessary to do so.
Description
The Partnerships Team seeks to recruit a Partnership Specialist to strengthen its collaboration and engagement with strategic partners to address common challenges across GPE partner countries. The candidate will report to the Team Lead for the Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) with co-supervision by the Team Lead for Education Out Lound (EOL). We are seeking a Partnership Specialist to support the effective implementation and help grow the KIX and EOL programs. This position will be key to effective program management, development and learning. The role will also be central in ensuring cross-fertilization and mutual support for both programs. Key responsibilities include:
Duties And Accountabilities
Program Management, Development, and Operations
• In close collaboration with country teams, facilitate discussions on new or strengthened engagement with KIX and EOL in partner countries with ministry of education representatives, local education group stakeholders (including donor and multilateral representatives) and other strategic partners.
• In collaboration with GPE country teams and consultation with other Secretariat teams, develop and implement cooperation engagements with country level stakeholders to effectively link KIX and EOL with GPE’s broader engagement in partner countries
• Lead the development of effective communications assets and engagement strategies to accelerate program objectives of KIX and EOL, including management of a communications consultant
• Broker collaboration with regional partners on KIX (including universities, policy think tanks, research outfits) and EOL (including CSOs and civil society networks)
• Support the development of opportunities for KIX and EOL in additional partner countries
• Support the GPE KIX and EOL teams to ensure timely, synchronized operations, including budget management, monitoring, and technical work across various program work streams
• Lead the development of regular Secretariat and external updates and maintain regular reporting schedules on KIX and EOL for GPE committees and external partners where relevant
Knowledge Management and Learning
• Manage the development of KIX and EOL learning initiatives (including publications, online training, and workshops) on evidence use and inclusive policy dialogue, and link these to the broader Secretariat learning function
• Coordinate learning loops and engagement processes of both programs in the GPE operating model and GPE 2030 strategy
• Inform lessons learned and adaptations for KIX by assessing program performance and being aware of research and good practice in knowledge mobilization, evidence-informed policy making, scaling innovations, and comparator initiatives
• Contribute to the development of an EOL evidence base to inform GPE’s practice, grant-making and grantee support, including by analyzing the EOL partner portfolio, collecting lessons from proposal reviews, and staying abreast of research and evidence in the fields of advocacy and accountability
• Find and strengthen opportunities for sharing learning and exchange of knowledge among program participants
Other contribution and support
• Represent KIX and EOL in certain Secretariat meetings and tasks
• Undertake periodic mission travel to support KIX and EOL work at country, regional or global level
• Respond to needs in the above areas arising from the adaptive management approach for KIX and EOL, including outcomes from regular Executive Committee/Coordination Group decisions and meetings with grant agents
Selection Criteria
Education
Master’s degree in education, international development, or a relevant related field.
Experience
At least eight years relevant experience (or equivalent combination of education and experience).
Applied knowledge of education policy development, implementation, and monitoring at sector level including support to policy dialogue
Proven analytical skills and ability to write synthetic report
Demonstrable project, operations and budget management (work planning, budget management, reporting) including Excel and/or accounting software
Proven analytical and problem-solving skills and proven ability to apply these in carrying out complex research and operational tasks, identifying issues, presenting findings/ recommendations and contributing to resolution of sector and country issues.
Ability to communicate clearly and accurately both verbally and in writing with excellent communications skills, both in oral presentations and in writing sections of papers, briefs, independent reports
Capacity to work simultaneously on a variety of issues and tasks, independently adjusting to priorities and achieving results with agreed objectives and deadlines
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with internal/external partners and promote collaboration in a multi-cultural environment
Experience with knowledge mobilization activities desirable
Proficiency in English (reading and writing) essential – other language skills highly desirable (especially French and Spanish)
Competencies
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 - Experience supporting work on education and/or development issues in low and middle income countries. Understanding of the policy process, advocacy, and the approaches to evidence use and evidence-informed policy making. Understanding of unique considerations in fragile and conflict affected contexts. Knowledge of stakeholders, major issues and challenges. Knowledge and/or experience in one or more of the following GPE focus areas: Education finance, education planning and management, education in fragile contexts, girls' education, inclusive education, learning, teacher development other areas relevant to work of GPE.
Partner Engagement Skills - Knowledge of national dialogue mechanisms. Understanding of the international development environment (in education and across sectors), including key institutions and partners, topical global policy issues, interests and agendas, as well as global development frameworks and commitments. Basic understanding of political economy in GPE partner countries. Some experience with complex multi-stakeholder partnership initiatives that deliver country-level results.
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.
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 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.
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