Partnership Specialist Ukraine

Duty station: Kyiv, Ukraine

1. Background/Context

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) has been present in Ukraine since 2014, helping more than 700,000 vulnerable conflict-affected people. NRC’s humanitarian interventions are based upon its programming expertise in the Core Competencies of Shelter & WASH, Information Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Camp Management (CCCM), Protection from Violence, Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Education, and a large Cash programme.

The Partnership Specialist will lead on the development and subsequent implementation of the NRC Ukraine partnership strategy. They will also lead on engagement with partners, support to programme teams to identify local organisations as potential partners, guide NRC teams and partner organisations through the administrative processes related to partnership, and work with them on the design, implementation and monitoring of capacity development activities and plans, partnership quality and projects assessments.

The role requires a diverse set of skills including an understanding of partnership programming in protracted emergencies and the ability to collaboratively strengthen organisational capacity of national NGOs’, CSOs, government actors and academic or research institutions. The Partnership Specialist will promote ways of working that respect partner contributions to the achievement of the programmatic goals and supports adherence to humanitarian principles.

The Partnership Specialist and his/her team will also be responsible for operational capacity building of key partners on cross – cutting support functions, as well as support with overall partnership management. The position will be part of the technical programme support unit and work closely with other Technical Specialists and Project Managers to ensure effective development and implementation of the partnership strategy, including development of tools and their application in the field.

The successful candidate will be a strong networker with the ability to explain and share knowledge with a wide range of stakeholders.

1. Generic Responsibilities

The purpose of the Head of Programme position is to develop and ensure implementation of holistic high-quality Programmes. The following is a brief description of the role:

• Lead on adapting NRC global partnership handbook and develop NRC Ukraine way of working around partnership, including role and responsibilities through the Project Cycle and ensuring the application of appropriate systems and practices.
• Ensure a harmonised approach to partnerships among NRC Ukraine programme response and NRC partners in line with NRC policy, guidance notes and toolkits.
• Support fundraising for projects that involves direct implementation of local partners.
• Ensure partner contracting in accordance with NRC’s tools and processes while adhering to donor rules.
• Support the identification of partners, lead on assessing their capacity, developing capacity building plans, transfer of relevant NRC experience and tools.
• Manage the members of the partnership team and ensure that NRC policies, tools, handbooks and guidelines are used.
• Lead on learning and development of NRC staff on issues of partnership, ensuring NRC Ukraine partnership approach is disseminated across all units and area offices.
• Input into NRC Global Strategy on partnership by liaising with relevant RO and HO units as well as with other Country offices that are developing similar approaches to partnership.
• Adhere to NRC policies, guidance and procedures and consideration of NRC global and regional strategies when executing functions related to this role.

1. Specific Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership: in collaboration with the Programme Unit and the Country Management Group (CMG), develop NRC Ukraine partnership strategy and ways of working in the Country Office, actively contribute to negotiation efforts to expand NRC partnership networks, while maintaining principled access; contribute to the integration of partnerships into the country strategy.
• Support AO and CC-specific strategies development and operationalisation through focusing on partnership elements to include plans and targets on programme models that include local actors.
• Mapping and Assessment of partners: Support mapping of local and national NGOs and CSOs, lead on organisational assessment and development of capacity development plans.
• Project Cycle Management (PCM): Support and facilitate field teams across all departments (including AO, Support, Programme Unit, etc.) in engaging with and applying NRC Ukraine’s partnership SOP and tools throughout the project cycle. This includes supporting Area Offices to identify potential partners, conduct organisational assessments, and review partner performance and provide technical support to NRC implementing teams on issues related with projects implemented by partners.
• Project Cycle Management (PCM): Ensure selected partners are supported across the Project Cycle Management: oversee the development of new project proposals by partners, the development of contract agreements, in collaboration with the Support and Programme Units, and ensure area offices are providing support to partners during contracting and implementation. Lead on Partnership quality evaluation and partnership project closure and lessons learnt on working with partners.
• Capacity Development: Coordinate partners’ technical, operational and organisational needs assessments and capacity development planning in coordination with other NRC Ukraine departments. Work with the NRC Ukraine teams to identify NRC staff capacity needs (in relation to partnerships) and address them with training, coaching and mentoring schemes.
• Technical Quality: Provide oversight to the overall NRC Ukraine partnership approach, ensuring that NRC Partnership Handbook is used across the project cycle. Lead and facilitate the continued development and improvement of NRC Ukraine’s partnership Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and tools, based on Lessons Learnt and feedback from NRC teams and partners. Work actively with the SIP, CFM, accountability, grants, M&E and technical teams to ensure strong mainstreaming of core NRC principles across operational partners.
• Coordination and Representation: As delegated by the HoPSU, lead NRC Ukraine’s engagement in relevant partnership coordination efforts with other international and national agencies. Maintain effective and positive working relationships with relevant stakeholders including partner agencies.
• Management: Direct line management of Country Office partnership staff and technical line management of Area Office Partnership Staff, provide technical guidance to staff working across areas on topics related to partnerships and local actors. Manage budget for budget lines related to Y2 support to partners across different grants; ensure budget monitoring and planning is done in a timely manner.
• Contribute to Fundraising and Integrated Programming: Support the Head of Programme, grants team, and HoPSU on identifying new funding opportunities to expand NRC portfolio implemented with partners and in the development of NRC Ukraine integrated programming, with relevance to partners.

1. Generic Professional Competencies

• At least 5 years’ experience in the humanitarian/development field, preferably in partnerships and civil society strengthening.
• Proven ability to work effectively with national and local civil society organisations required.
• Demonstrated ability developing programme or partnership strategies.
• Good understanding of donor rules and regulations.
• Skills and experience in report and proposal writing.
• Excellent coordination, communication (verbal and written) and networking skills.
• Master’s degree or equivalent in relevant field (international relations, social science, law or similar).
• Fluency in English; knowledge of Ukrainian highly desirable (speaking, reading, writing).

1. Context /Specific Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Planning across complex activities or complex projects.
• Advanced analytical and innovative thinking, anticipates future developments, works with complex technical information, develops strategy.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and knowledge of adult learning principles.
• Advanced professional within a relevant technical field and substantial experience.

Find more details about the role HERE.

1. What We Offer

• Type of contract: 1 year, with the possibility of extension, subject to performance and funds availability.
• Salary/benefits: According to NRC salary scale, terms and conditions.
• Duty station: Kyiv, Ukraine.

Internal candidates are encouraged to apply but we are also open to external applicants who can show a commitment to NRC and being part of a challenging, but important mission to make a difference.

NRC might review applications before the advertised deadline, therefore interested candidates are encouraged to apply early.