Partnership Adviser

About the role: This is a 12-month, new role with unaccompanied terms based in Kyiv, Ukraine with a salary of Grade 4 €43,268 – €48,076.

Alliance15 members Concern Worldwide, Welthungerhilfe (WHH), and Cesvi are working together in Ukraine since February using their combined resources and reach, to ensure a quick and effective emergency response to assist the crisis-affected population.

This response, known as JERU (Joint Emergency Response Ukraine), is working inside of Ukraine to help internally displaced people (IDPs) and vulnerable host community members through in-kind food and NFI assistance, cash and voucher assistance, and protection services. JERU plans to implement a significant proportion of its programme in partnership with local and national NGOs, or Civil Society Organisations.

The partnership advisor reports to the Programme Director. They will be the functional manager of the Partnership Officers at sub-offices, who in turn are the day-to-day focal points for our implementing partners in our specific locations of intervention.

Your purpose: The Partnerships Advisor manages JERU’s partner portfolio and relations with existing, new, and future partner organizations in Ukraine in coordination with the focal points in each department. The Partnerships Advisor will also play a key role in identifying and assessing new organizations and following up on specific support actions with relevant departments.

You will be responsible for:

Strategy and Planning

• Design and implement a national partnership management strategy, in consideration of the different types of organisations (CBOs, CSOs, NGOs, volunteer groups, municipalities, private collective centres, etc) involved in humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, under the supervision of the Head of Programs
• Identify and design a remote partner monitoring system in coordination with the MEAL Advisor and relevant departments (operations, finance, programs)
• Support partners to prepare concept notes, project proposals and budgets according to the programme design and donors’ call for proposals
• Work with and coordinate JERU partners’ global advisors on approaches to the sub-grant relationship in the Ukraine context

Identification, Contracting and Compliance

• Expand JERU’s national partnership portfolio in Ukraine by identifying potential partners, and conducting partner capacity assessments under the supervision of the Head of Programs and in coordination with the Area Managers
• Develop and implement partner capacity-building schemes for each partner identified with the support of relevant departments (operations, finance, programs)
• Coordinate negotiations and establishment of sub-grants and contracts in consultation with Programme Director, Country Director and relevant programme team
• Ensure partners understand JERU/donor guidelines and policies and that these are adhered to at all times, immediately raising any suspected non-compliance.
• In coordination with relevant heads of department, oversee partner compliance requirements and provide support on corrective measures
• Actively archive all necessary partner information appropriately

Programme Implementation

• Lead organizational development including project cycle management; work planning, budget monitoring and revision, financial and programme reporting, procurement
• Act as the primary JERU focal point for coordination and communication with partners
• Advise partners (in coordination with programmes) on project start-up activities including, but not limited to, staff recruitments, developing detailed implementation plans, financial plans, procurement plans, reporting templates, field data requirements, information management etc.
• Support the project team to do a regular follow-up on project implementation.

Representation

• Represent JERU in meetings relevant to the role in external coordination meetings.
• Support and promote the standards outlined in Concern/WHH Code of Conduct and associated policies to teams and beneficiaries and be committed to providing a safe working environment.

Skills and Experience Required:

• At least three years managing grants for national or international NGOs or in similar partnership advisory/management roles with national or international NGOs
• Practical experience in developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders in supporting a partner-based approach to programme implementation
• Experience in Eastern Europe is a plus
• Bachelor’s degree in humanitarian action, development studies, political sciences, sociology or relevant disciplines
• English is essential, and knowledge of Ukrainian and/or Russian is highly desirable
• Must be willing to live and travel in an insecure environment
• Ability to work independently in a systematic and organized manner
• Ability to work as a team player with a can-do attitude.
• Commitment to beneficiary accountability and humanitarian principles
• Ability to give attention to details
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines