Stephen Close is a Human Development Specialist in the World Bank’s Timor-Leste, Papua New Guinea and Pacific Islands country office in Sydney, working on health, education and social protection. Stephen specializes in second-chance education and workforce development issues in Pacific Island Countries, and delivered the Skills for Solomon Islands: Advice & Policy Options report in 2013. Stephen has worked in international development since 2001. He has a degree in International Studies from Flinders University, a Masters’ Degree in Public Policy from ANU, and a postgraduate certificate in Evaluation from Melbourne University. When not working in the World Bank he is pursuing post-graduate research at the Australian National University on public policy on labour markets and education in Pacific Island States.