Partnership Team Leader (re-advertisement) – National contract

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is a leading protection agency with a mandate to protect, advocate and promote durable solutions for displacement affected populations.

DRC has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, currently DRC employs over 650 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Economic Recovery, Shelter/NFIs and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding (humanitarian mine action) sectors, using direct interventions, support to duty bearers and civil society organizations (CSOs), and partnerships with CSOs. DRC will continue and adapt its durable solutions portfolio to the evolving context.

DRC is currently looking for an Partnership Team Leader to join the team in Kyiv.

Overall purpose of the role:

The Partnership Team leaders lead the development of potential partnership opportunities with civil society organizations (CSOs) and the implementation of projects strengthening the systems of CSOs that support internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable population in Ukraine. The Partnership Team leaders conducts due diligence, contracting, provide direct support to partners in their project implementation, and ensures partner compliance with DRC standards and policies. The Partnership Team leader and his/her team are the main focal point for partner CSOs and develop and maintain good relations with relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of project activities.

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 (30% travels).

Responsibilities:

Partnership Development (Due Diligence, Vetting and Contracting)

• Upon identification of a potential partner, lead the partnership selection process through: preliminary meetings with partners, coordinate DRC’s comprehensive partnership due diligence, and supporting partners to submit the needed documentation for partnerships
• Update partnership indicators in cooperation with relevant programme units
• Lead the coordination with Support Services teams to support local partner to implement processes and policies that ensure alignment with DRC standards; refer partners in need of intensive support (including development of policies) to DRC’s capacity building team
• Lead the evaluation of DRC and partner performance to identify long-term partners for DRC activities
• Provide ongoing oversight of partner adherence to contract and operational compliance in coordination with program and support teams
• Immediately flag roadblocks in the partnership process to the Partnership Manager

Project Management and Implementation

• Coordinate, plan and monitor project activities in line with DRC global requirements.
• Ensure the highest quality implementation
• Provide direct oversight and support to partners for their project implementation in terms of high quality and timely deliveries, narrative reporting and financial overviews, coordination mechanism on site and in synergy with other DRC interventions in the area.
• Provide budget monitoring, financial management and expenses control for the projects to be managed, including compliance with minimum DRC and donor requirements.
• Produce and operationalize tailor-made capacity development methodologies and tools for civil society and government agencies.
• Oversee the communication with external experts and consultants, including monitoring of quality assurance.

Partnership capacity exchange & development

• Lead participative capacity assessment with DRC partners to identify partnership strategic goals and capacity exchange needs
• 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 learning exchange sessions with partners

Accountability and Reporting

• Continuously monitor and develop relevant accountability initiatives within relevant projects as well as strengthening the effort to document the impact of activities.
• Ensure compliance with internal and external reporting requirements including procurement.People Management
• Lead and manage project staff members including coaching, ensuring coordination, recruitment, and capacity development.
• Provide on-the-job training as much as required and adapt trainings/coaching to specific staff needs.

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.

Required experience and competencies:

• At least 2-4 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.
• Master’s degree (e.g. political science, international development, economics) or equivalent professional qualification
• 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.
• Permission to work in Ukraine is obligatory

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 probation, renewable)
• Band: G-management
• Designation of Duty Station: Kyiv with 30% travel across the country
• Start date: ASAP