Partnership Specialist (Civil Society Capacity Strengthening)

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international non-governmental organization, which promotes and supports durable solutions to the problems faced by refugees and internally displaced people all over the world.

The Partnership Specialist (Civil Society Capacity Strengthening) provides high level technical support to DRC partners in Ukraine to navigate complex operational environment, project cycle management and organisational development. He/She acts as a mentor to DRC partners and partners teams to ensure the successful implementation of the partnership.

The role is based in Kyiv with a country focus since DRC partners operates across Ukraine. The role is expected to travel across Ukraine to meet with DRC partners on a regular basis (40% travels).

Main responsibilities

Facilitate DRC partnership unit growth

• Lead and oversee open and closed partnership calls as well based on project opportunities and DRC partnership strategy
• Ensure calls documents and tools are adapted to partners needs and of high quality
• Chair the project review committee and facilitate partners’ selection process

Technical mentoring of DRC Partnership team and partners

• Ensure tools and guidance released by DRC Partnership Manager and DRC Localisation technical coordinator are implemented within the team partnership team and partners, and provide necessary mentoring
• Coordinate with Partnership Team Leaders and Partners to ensure high quality implementation of activities, compliance with donor and consortium rules, and accountability to beneficiaries
• Act as an internal focal point for any issues related to the implementation and management of assigned awards
• Develop a mentorship plan based on the initial assessment to deliver participant-centred individual mentorship;
• Provide support to strengthen participants’ capacities to effectively respond to strategic and operational challenges (e.g. reframing or reshaping CSOs’ response mandate, revision of CSOs’ course of activity etc.);
• Complete individual mentorship by following up on the mentorship plan and summarizing achieved progress.

DRC Joint Operating Principles Implementation

• Act as a technical focal point for the implementation of DRC operating principles and red line framework with partners in Ukraine
• Roll out joint operating principles workshops with DRC partners, and facilitate the operationalisation of those frameworks with DRC partners
• Provide CHS, PSEA and AAP training and operationalisation mentoring to DRC partners

Partnership capacity exchange & development

• Lead participative organisational development assessment with DRC partners
• Proactively organise the implementation of the plan with multiple departments involved and provide direct support to partners to achieve the agreed upon plan
• Facilitate workshops, training and mentoring sessions together with the partnership unit team
• Facilitate regular inclusive learning exchange sessions with partners
• Provide support and mentoring to partners for the development of needed internal policies and procedures

Accountability and Reporting

• Identify, synthesise and disseminate best practices and lessons learned in partnership-building.

As Manager the post-holder is responsible for the following:

• Accountable for achieving DRC’s strategic goals and objectives within the area of responsibility.
• Accountable for making significant decisions on what the unit does: its purpose, functions and role, and for making commitments and decisions that require the expenditure of significant unit resources.
• Accountable for people management of direct reports, generally at least 3 employees. This includes hiring & firing, objective setting, probation, performance appraisal, development of staff, managing performance, including poor performance, etc.
• Accountable for making sound decisions based on DRC policies, MOPs, standards, and the advice of technical experts in DRC

Reports to

Partnership Manager

About You

• At least 5 years of work experience within initiative or programmes focusing the sectors of capacity building, good governance and/or policy analysis – preferably within a national or International NGO, the UN or Government agencies.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in capacity exchange concepts and practices in Ukraine.
• Deep knowledge and understanding of CSO/CBO work and their organization trends in Ukraine.
• A demonstrated high-level tutorial expertise – well versed in delivering trainings and/or presentations on the capacity building domain.
• A high-level of adaptability and flexibility.
• Full professional proficiency in English.
• Fluency in Ukrainian/Russian
• Master’s degree (e.g. political science, international development, economics) or equivalent professional qualification

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We Offer

• Contract length: 12 months contract (1st contract signed for 3 months as a probation period, renewable)
• Band: G-nm level 2
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv with 30% travel across the country
• Start date: February 2024