Senior Education Specialist Job #: req32441 Organization: World Bank Sector: Education Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Port Moresby,Papua New Guinea Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 4/8/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org.
East Asia and Pacific (EAP) Region:
The EAP is a highly diverse region, with countries of all income levels and wide differences in resource endowments, human capital, and institutional capacity. The Education Global Practice in EAP has a large lending and advisory services and analytics (ASA) portfolio. The EDU Global Practice is actively engaged in most countries in the region. The EAP EDU strategy aims at building a strong foundation for learning for all children in EAP that equips them with the relevant skills to thrive in the labor market and life in financially affordable and sustainable ways. The World Bank in East Asia: https://www.worldbank.org/en/region/eap
Education in PNG:
The EAP Region’s education strategy focuses on strengthening education systems, tailoring approaches to country needs, and using multi-sectoral solutions. In Papua New Guinea (PNG), the World Bank supports primary education improvements, addressing low literacy rates. The Learning Enhancement and Access Project (LEAP) will enhance early childhood education, teacher effectiveness, education infrastructure, and project management. Implemented by the National Department of Education, LEAP is set for Board approval in May 2025 and implementation in early 2026.
We are seeking a Senior Education Specialist for a three-year local term appointment, the position is based in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Reporting to the Practice Manager for East Asia and Pacific, the Specialist will play a key role in policy dialogue and education project management. The primary responsibility will be to lead specific projects and knowledge initiatives in PNG, working closely with World Bank teams, government counterparts, and development partners to enhance the country’s education sector performance.
Duties and accountabilities:
• Lead and support teams in supporting NDOE in implementing LEAP, helping to identify and resolve implementation bottlenecks
• Serve as a core contributor of analytical work carried out by the education team.
• Lead and support the team in the delivery of the work program and lead the delivery of individual tasks as assigned.
• Help to support policy dialogue and interactions with relevant government authorities, development partners, and civil society organizations.
• Proactively work across sectors, with the HD Management team and with the Country Management Unit to build synergies and identify entry points to leverage education and skills development and promote equitable and resilient growth in PNG.
• Bring international and domestic good practice and lessons learned to promote education system strengthening, improve inclusive access to high-quality learning and skills development, and enhance institutional accountability.
• Contribute to corporate tasks such as peer reviewing and providing inputs to documents on behalf of the sector team.
Selection Criteria
• A Master’s degree in Education, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or a related social science field, with at least 8 years of relevant experience in human development work, particularly in education sector programs and policies.
• In-depth knowledge of Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) education sector, with demonstrated experience working with government agencies and non-governmental partners to address sector challenges and drive education reforms.
• Strong ability to build and maintain relationships with government counterparts and development partners, while navigating complex political and operational environments. Proven political judgment, diplomatic acumen, and negotiation skills to manage competing demands effectively.
• Experience guiding clients and development partners in identifying key operational challenges, proposing effective solutions, and integrating diverse perspectives. Ability to lead task teams, participate in formal negotiations, and support governments in setting policy priorities.
• Strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with expertise in monitoring and evaluation (M&E), education project documentation, and sector-related research. Ability to manage multiple tasks independently while maintaining high-quality deliverables.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, with attention to detail and the ability to coordinate across multidisciplinary teams. Ability to convey complex ideas clearly in both written and verbal formats.
• Fluency in English is required, with the ability to prepare technical reports, engage in policy discussions, and communicate effectively with stakeholders.
• Must have a legal right to work in Papua New Guinea
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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This vacancy is archived.