E T Temporary, Human Resources Program Assistant, GPE

Job #: req23227

Organization: World Bank

Sector: Operations

Grade: ET4

Term Duration: 1 year 0 months

Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment

Location: Chennai,India

Required Language(s): English

Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 7/7/2023 (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.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Secretariat Operations team provides a wide range of support to the GPE Secretariat: human resources, staffing, workforce planning, administrative, 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.

The position is in the “Secretariat Services” sub-team. The Secretariat Services team mission 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, facilities, risk, policy compliance, and other areas.

ABOUT THE JOB

We are currently seeking candidates for two Program Assistant, HR positions (ETT4 Level): one located in Chennai and the other in Washington, DC. When submitting your application, please indicate in your cover letter which location you are applying for. Your preference will help us better understand your suitability for the respective position and ensure that we consider you for the appropriate role.

Description

This position is responsible for managing consultants (STC/T) and assisting with various HR-related tasks. It involves overseeing the administration of requests, determining daily rates, and facilitating the onboarding and offboarding process of consultants. The role also includes providing guidance on relocation issues, liaising with relevant departments to address queries, advising consultants on the payment system, mentoring them on career development opportunities, and ensuring awareness of resource manuals. Ad hoc activities may be performed as needed, and tasks are subject to change based on requirements.

Duties And Accountabilities

The main responsibilities of this position/role include the following: Duties and Accountabilities

Human Resources

Work closely with Sr. Program Assistants in the management of consultants (STC/T) and related actions such as: Oversee the management of consultants (STC/T) and related actions such as: 1. Managing requests in the Admin Portal 2. Assisting in determining daily rates 3. Assisting with the Onboarding and Offboarding process of STs 4. Providing/sharing guidance on issues that may arise when relocation to a different country (For Consultant that may have to relocate for the assignment) 5. Liaising with relevant departments (IT etc.) to solve queries (E.g., Tier Access issues) that Consultants may have 6. Advising consultants on queries on the STC payment system on an ongoing basis e.g., in cases when their TTL changes etc. 7. Mentoring consultants on career development opportunities and providing guidance of available resources (E.g., Open Learning Campus etc.) 8. Ensuring they are aware of and addressing any queries STC/T’s may have regarding the designated STC/T resource manual/webpage 9. Performing ad hoc activities as needed/required. Additionally, all tasks are subject to change based on situations/requirements.

Selection Criteria

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as Human Resources, Commerce, Business Administration, Arts, etc., or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Language

Full proficiency in English, both oral and written.

Experience 4 years of experience, including:

•  Excellent organizational (including attention to detail), administrative, and time management skills – with a proven ability to work promptly and efficiently under pressure and meet tight deadlines with a minimum of supervision, including multi-tasking and flexibility to adjust and prioritize concurrent assignments, to ensure high quality administrative support to a large team.
•  Full proficiency in English, both oral and written, with proven ability to draft a variety of correspondence and edit materials independently.
•  Good team player, with excellent interpersonal and communication skills and able to interact tactfully with people at all levels.
•  Ability to multi-task and willingness to learn new skills.
•  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. 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 and 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 – Able to work independently and in teams. Plans and prioritizes own work effectively, meeting individual timelines. Able to work under pressure, against tight timelines. Client Service Orientation – Positive attitude with creative problem-solving skills; flexibility in crafting solutions (within the bounds of relevant policies). Commitment to seeing client issues, problems and questions through to resolution. Strong listening skills; takes the time to fully understand the situation and urgency of client issues and needs. Experience dealing with staff and partners at all levels. Experience handing conflicts and judgment to know when escalation is needed. Discretion and tact in dealing with sensitive issues. Keeps abreast of problems/issues frequently faced by certain clients and responds to them in an informed, knowledgeable and polite manner, following up with them periodically on the resolution of their issues.

Knowledge of Policies, Processes, and Systems Relevant to GPE – Aware of the policies, processes, and systems governing the work of the Secretariat (including GPE’s and World Bank’s), with deep knowledge of those pertaining directly to one’s own team and work program. Stays abreast of any changes, and shares information to ensure other staff are aware of relevant changes. Maintains a network of related focal points for any questions or needed clarifications. Knowledge of the Secretariat’s organizational and governance structure, and of how the work of Secretariat Services contributes to GPE’s operations and mission.

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

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.

Note: The selected candidate will be offered a one-year appointment, renewable for an additional one year, at the discretion of the World Bank Group, and subject to a lifetime maximum ET Appointment of two years. If an ET appointment ends before a full year, it is considered as a full year toward the lifetime maximum. Former and current ET staff who have completed all or any portion of their second-year ET appointment are not eligible for future ET appointments