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 mission of the Governance Team is to have a well-informed, participatory, functioning Board and Committees making good and timely decisions to facilitate the organization’s delivery on its goals and objectives within a professional managed structure. The team manages the processes, policies, rules and procedures within which the Board, Committees, and Secretariat operate, and ensures clear definition of roles, responsibilities and accountabilities among the many stakeholders involved in policy making that defines the scope for and the way GPE operates.
ABOUT THE JOB
This position will be based in the GPE office located in Washington, D.C.
Description
Reporting to the head of governance, the Board Operations Officer will support the work of the Board, its Standing Committees and the Secretariat on governance activities, partner engagement and related internal and external communications.
The role requires application of technical expertise with respect to core governance documents, policies and recommendations/decisions of the Board and its Standing Committees.
Duties And Accountabilities
The officer will support the overall governance related activities and engagement in the following areas:
• Lead focal point for one of the Standing Committees including facilitating the strategic preparation, delivery of meetings, recommendations, decisions, agenda and workplan in coordination with committee leadership and in close collaboration with internal relevant internal teams.
• As lead focal point for one of the Standing Committees, supervise the full life cycle of technical, strategic, operational and governance items as they move and evolve from the assigned Standing Board Committee(s) to the full Board including development, drafting talking points and presentations to translate Committee deliberations and outcomes for Board approval, as needed.
• Provide technical support to work of the Board of Directors and to the substantive preparation and servicing of Board meetings.
• Guide and support members of the Board in their understanding and effective performance to facilitate broad engagement and participation in governance activities, through onboarding and positive relationship management.
• Provision of advisory and technical support on governance related matters to internal and external parties, including development, updating and monitoring of compliance with governance related policies and procedures.
• Governance operational and team coordination activities including identifying ways to increase team efficiency and effectiveness through improved ways of working, processes and tools and communications around governance-related matters.
• Lead selected governance strengthening projects as assigned.
Selection Criteria
Education
Master’s degree in a relevant
field of study with 5 years of experience or equivalent combination of
education and experience.
Experience
At
least 5 years of experience including direct experience in:
• international development and/or multistakeholder partnerships
• institutional governance, including development of related institutional
policies, procedures, and operational processes
• experience in managing committees or governing bodies in a similar
institutional environment
Language
English is required for this
role. French and/or Spanish is
desirable but not required.
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.
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.
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.
Corporate Governance Knowledge and Experience – Deep knowledge of corporate
governance in a multi-stakeholder context. Experience applying institutional
policies and operational processes and procedures in a corporate governance
role. Experience working with boards and committees to ensure efficient
execution of their responsibilities. Experience overseeing group work
products, ensuring attention to detail and accuracy. High level of integrity
and track record in handling confidential matters.
Board Representation Skills – Strong diplomatic and people skills. Ability to represent
GPE with Board constituencies and external stakeholders. Ability to think and
respond quickly and extemporaneously with tact and diplomacy. Knowledge of
GPE, its partners, and their perspectives, interests and needs. Experience
forging and managing relationships with stakeholders. Strong conflict
resolution and problem-solving skills.
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.
Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.
