What is a grant agent?
Grant agent is the term used to refer to any GPE partner assigned to receive GPE grant funds, either on behalf of a partner country or for specific programs such as Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX) or Education Out Loud (EOL).
Grant agent criteria and selection
To provide effective oversight of GPE resources, grant agents must meet a set of minimum standards regarding financial management, institutional capacity, transparency, self-investigative powers and anti-corruption measures, and safeguards against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.
GPE expands the list of accredited grant agents at the request of partner countries following a rigorous accreditation process.
Grant agents are selected by the government following a recommendation by the selection committee and endorsed by the local education group. The selection committee is made up of representatives from the ministry of education, coordinating agencies, and different constituencies of the local education group, including development partners.
The grant agent selection guidelines explains the selection process in detail.
Before considering options for who the best grant agent might be, the government and partners must agree on a scope of work for the grant program, as well as preferred implementation modalities to ensure optimal system strengthening.
As such, grant agents are ideally selected once the target reform area is agreed and outlined in the partnership compact.
Grant agent accountabilities
In 2019, GPE’s Board of Directors adopted an Accountability Matrix to clarify what is expected from different GPE partners to enable the partnership to achieve its vision and goals.
Grant agents are accountable for their support to program implementation to governments and to the GPE Board via the Secretariat. This includes regular reporting on grant implementation and support to address implementation delays.
Grant agents play a critical role in ensuring GPE grants deliver lasting impact and transform the education system. In addition, grant agents have accountabilities as GPE partners who are represented in GPE’s governance structures, which includes contributing to effective, harmonized sector dialogue through the local education group.
The grant agent role in practice
Grant agents support the government to develop a program for GPE financing at the country level and provide fiduciary oversight, technical support, and capacity building to ensure effective implementation. They do this in close collaboration with the government and in consultation with coordinating agency and other members of the local education group.
This role can strengthen the grant agent’s relationship with the partner government and position the grant agent as an influential local education group partner.
GPE grant processes are designed to promote inclusive, results-focused policy dialogue around education sector challenges and strategies, as well as to leverage domestic financing and aligned support from partners.
This is significantly different from a standard project approach and may be more work intensive. It requires additional engagement in policy dialogue and sector coordination.
It is important that grant agents both in-country and at headquarters are aware of GPE principles, processes and requirements in order to ensure oversight of the specific accountabilities assigned to grant agents, and to ensure accurate communication around GPE grant funding.