Financial Operations Analyst

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 Ms. 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., with a European office in Paris, an Africa office in Nairobi, a satellite office in Brussels, and a support office in Chennai.

GPE is one of the largest donors for basic education in low and lower-middle-income countries. It offers several financial instruments (i.e. grants) to support programs to transform education systems in its partner countries. As of 2024, the volume of its active grant portfolio amounts to US$3 billion.

GPE grants finance programs implemented by partner country governments and grant agents, who are ultimately responsible for delivering these programs. GPE Secretariat monitors the performance of these programs during the implementation and at the completion. The purpose of the grant monitoring by the Secretariat is threefold: i) to support partner countries and grant agents in delivering results, by detecting the issues faced during the implementation and by ensuring that these issues are being handled appropriately, ii) to learn lessons from program implementation and to provide information to adapt GPE’s standards, policies and operating model, and iii) to be accountable to GPE Board, donors and stakeholders for how GPE grant money is used. Grant performance data also plays an important role in the fundraising.

ABOUT THE TEAM

The Finance & Grant Operations (FGO) team focuses on fiduciary matters, grant processing, monitoring and administration, risk, innovative financing, and trustee finance.

The Grant Operations practice sets policies and guidelines for GPE’s grant processes, aiding partner countries in accessing funding and overcoming implementation barriers. It closely collaborates with Country Program Officers who are the Secretariat’s focal point to GPE’s grant agents on grant processes. Grant processes largely consist of 3 phases – application, implementation and closing. During the implementation and after the closing, grant agents must submit report to GPE Secretariat, which Grant Operations practice compiles regularly at the portfolio level. This data, together with other data, helps systematically understand the performance of GPE grants.

ABOUT THE JOB

This position will be based initially in Chennai but may be relocated if business needs arise that make it necessary to do so.

Since most of the GPE Secretariat staff and consultants are based in Washington, DC., Paris, and Brussels, communication will predominantly occur virtually using World Bank-approved communication tools. This role requires working hours between 2 pm and 11 pm local time to cover business hours in Washington, DC, and Paris/Brussels. 

Description

Duties And Accountabilities

The Grant Monitoring Analyst is responsible for maintaining and organizing grant performance data, ensuring accuracy, compliance with organizational requirements, and consistency of methodologies. This role involves analyzing various grant data, preparing reports on grant performance, and supporting Country Program Officers and grant agents in monitoring grants. The tasks of the Grant Monitoring Analyst include, but are not limited to:

Reporting on grant performance

• – Assist in the preparation of various documents to report on grant performance by gathering necessary data, putting them together, creating figures and tables, and drafting reports.
• – Construct and maintain a comprehensive database on grant performance by consolidating various data points, ensuring data quality, and updating information regularly.
• – Provide data analysis support to identify trends and insights from grant performance data, to learn lessons from grant implementation and to inform decision-making.
• -Collect and compile grant data requested by donors, evaluators, researchers, and other stakeholders, ensuring timely delivery of accurate information.
• – Generate figures and tables to visually represent grant data for donor reports, utilizing software tools to create clear and informative visuals that enhance the understanding of grant performance.
• Support to Country Program Officers and grant agents in monitoring grants
• – Coordinate with Country Program Officers to ensure the timely submission of reports, facilitating communication, and collaboration to meet deadlines.
• – Facilitate communication between Country Program Officers and grant agents regarding grant-related inquiries.
• – Ensure the comprehensiveness, quality and accuracy of the data included in the reports
• Grant coding and costing
• – Code grants’ program document to systematically understand the thematic areas and education levels supported by the grant and to estimate the amount of grant financing allocated to each
• – Aggregate coding data at the portfolio level to present thematic areas supported by GPE grants
• – Prepare documents, writeups, figures and tables to report on thematic areas and education levels supported by grants.
• IT system for grant reporting and monitoring
• – Transfer data included in grant reports received offline to the online system to ensure accuracy and completeness of the data in the system
• – Support grant agent focal points in accessing GPE’s online reporting system
• – Support transition to the new online system by compiling the data included in the current system
• – Collaborate with the IT team to finetuning the functionality of grant reporting and monitoring system
• – Assist in preparing training for Country Program Officers and grant agents on the use of new system

Selection Criteria

Education

Master’s degree in education, monitoring and evaluation, social science, public or business administration, data science, statistics or a related field. 

Experience

At least two years of experience, with one year in a similar function, focused on monitoring and evaluation, performance measurement, and/or program management. 

 Qualifications

 Proficiency in Microsoft Excel. Experience in using other software for statistics, research and visualization (e.g. PowerBI, Python, STATA, Nvivo, etc) is a plus. 

• Excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams.
• Good understanding of monitoring and evaluation, education and development, and management of education programs.

Competencies

Quantitative & Qualitative Research and Analysis for MEL –  Experience in data analysis and processing for the purpose of monitoring, evaluation and performance measurement. Strong quantitative research skills. Ability to process, organize, monitor and analyze large volumes of information and data, using Microsoft excel and other software (e.g. PowerBI and STATA). Good knowledge of statistical and econometric techniques. Ability to communicate data, evidence and implications succinctly. 

Foundational knowledge in education and development – Knowledge and/or experience in the following GPE focus areas: learning, girls’ education, inclusive education, teacher development, education finance, education planning and management, education in fragile contexts, other areas relevant to work of GPE.

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 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 –  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.

Grant Management Systems and Process Design –  Capable of supporting the development, implementation, management, and improvement of business processes related to grant management. Experience with metrics to track, analyze and measure processes and outcomes and controls to ensure process compliance. Experience supporting automation of workflows for optimal efficiency. Familiarity with grant management tracking needs and supporting technologies. Experience supporting the design and development of grant management systems to house information on grant processes and enable tracking and reporting. Basic understanding of grant related operational policies such as the GPE grant policies, conditions, requirements and processes to access GPE grants.

Grant Portfolio Tracking and Reporting –  Understanding of the grant lifecycle, from pre-grant through grant close, and of grant instruments and processes. Experience tracking, analyzing and reporting on grants and grant portfolios at all stages, including pipeline through grant implementation. Understanding of key milestones and related data and metrics; Solid data manipulation and reporting skills and attention to detail. Ability to work cooperatively with multi-disciplinary teams and staff and managers at all levels.

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.

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. Every GPE staff member is expected to abide by the GPE Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) policy and play an active role in identifying, reporting, and working to prevent SEAH at GPE. Not doing so will constitute a violation of their employment contract and will be grounds for dismissal.

 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.

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