Partnerships Officer

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination. Partnerships with local actors are central to IRC’s Syria response, with a target of 60% of funding allocated through partners and a marked increase in strategic partnerships, in line with partnership principles, as a part of its 2022-2024 Strategy Action Plan (SAP).

Job Overview/Summary:

The Partnership Officer is a key position supporting the North-East Syria Program based in Hasaka – NES.  The main objective of this position is to provide support to Partnership Managers in promoting efficiency in contracts and grant management, due diligence processes, relationship management, capacity sharing and handle all administrative/logistical areas in Partnerships whilst working hand in hand with the Partnerships team as well as support functions: Finance, Supply Chain, HR and Security. As a Partnership Officer he/she will also be required to follow IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) that sets out efficient and responsive processes, delineates clear roles and responsibilities, and articulates IRC’s strategic approach to partnerships.

Partnership Management Support

• Be a key player in enhancing relationships with partners, identifying bottlenecks, risks, partner complaints and making recommendations for improvement purposes that foster quality partnership work.
• Provide support during stakeholder analysis, partner mapping as well as partner selection process including organizing and handling of files, documentation and filing.
• Support Partnership Managers in completing OTIS workflows for partnership agreements, Contributions in Kind (CIK) as well as donations and provide support to programs and other IRC departments to fully understand the process according to the PEERS policy.
• Coordinate the pre-award due diligence process with respect to the new sub-awards, including through appropriate vetting, analysis of risks associated with the award, and the identification and implementation of appropriate measures to manage those risks, working with other departments as appropriate.
• Ensure that the Partnership tracker is up to date, and where necessary make follow-ups with Partnerships Managers to ensure the same.
• Support in reviewing partner reports (both financial and narrative), working hand in hand with the Partnerships Finance team and making follow-ups where appropriate.
• Ensure timely request and obtaining of D7 project codes for each partner and grant/project upon signing of partner agreements.
• Where required, support in translation of documents, information to partners from English to Arabic or Kurdish making sure that they understand every detail.
• Work with Partnership Managers in making follow ups on capacity sharing initiatives and plans to support the Whole of Syria Snr. Capacity Sharing Manager on Capacity Development/ Sharing matters.
• Participate in regular partner monitoring visits to engage and support partners in their daily activities implementation, ensuring adherence to donor and IRC regulations, taking note of successes, challenges and documenting of lessons learned.
• Manage a portfolio that has been assigned from due diligence, vetting, contracts management and monitoring.

Administrative and Information Management

• Make requisition and manage office supplies partnership department needs including during trainings, meetings or workshops.
• Handle or organize documentation and filing of partnership documents.
• Assist and support Partnership Managers with travel logistics, handle department payment forms as well as finance reconciliations.
• Support the Partnerships team in an administrative role, including in drafting correspondences and taking minutes during partnership-led meetings, arranging meetings, and following up action points, as required. Including project opening or closure meetings with partners.
• Lead partnerships feedback surveys conducted from time to time in conjunction with the Whole of Syria Snr. Partnerships Officer.
• Facilitate communication and coordination between Partnerships and other functions i.e. grants and programs on any partner-related issues as requested in NES.
• Support in promoting partnership culture across the organization in NES.
• Any other duties assigned from time to time.

Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 2 years of relevant professional experience working with sub-grantees and/or local partner organizations and demonstrated ability to form effective and productive relationships with stakeholder counterparts.
• A university degree/Diploma in international affairs, social studies, business administration, international relations, or other relevant majors.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation, and verbal communication skills including the ability to convey information effectively.
• Excellent word processing and computer skills, particularly MS Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
• Ability to coordinate and develop written communications pieces (e.g., donor reports, success stories, case studies).
• Ability to develop relationships across multiple departments and organize and manage complex data and information to improve cooperation and productivity.
• Ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures to meet internal and external deadlines.
• Ability to work and lead tasks independently while being a strong teammate.
• Familiarity with program design, including logical frameworks, budgeting and grants/report writing preferred.
• Ability to work in a dynamic role and be a quick learner.

Language/Travel:

• English is required; Arabic &Kurdish are preferred
• Travel: possible, as required by the role.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Partnerships Manager
• Position directly supervises: N/A
• Indirect Reporting (If applicable): NES Partnerships Coordinator
• Key Internal Contacts: Partnerships Coordinator (NWS and NES), Senior Partnerships Managers/Partnerships Managers, and the IRC Whole of Syria Program, Support, and Operational departments (Finance, Grants, Programs, MEAL, Supply Chain, Humanitarian Access, and Field Coordination). In addition, the Senior Partnerships Officer will be in regular contact with IRC Regional and HQ offices as required.
• Key External Contacts: N/A

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.