Partnership Officer

Position Title: Partnership Officer

Location: NW Syria, Turkey, or remotely

Reports to: Administrative Director

Type: Full-time

About the role:

The Partnership Officer will play a pivotal role in establishing, nurturing, and sustaining strong relationships with a range of international non-governmental organizations (INGOs), agencies, donors, and other strategic partners. This position will involve close collaboration with internal teams to align partnership objectives, track relationship health, and ensure the successful delivery of projects. The officer will work proactively to enhance the NGO’s reputation and network, contribute to the organization’s growth, and secure resources that support programmatic success and sustainable impact in NW Syria and Turkey.

Key Responsibilities

1. Partnership Building and Maintenance:

• Identify, engage, and develop new partnership opportunities with INGOs, agencies, donors, and relevant stakeholders to enhance program delivery and resources.
• Act as a liaison between the NGO and its partners, ensuring continuous communication and collaboration to foster trust and mutual understanding.
• Manage partnership agreements, MOUs, and contracts to ensure alignment with organizational goals and compliance with donor requirements.

2. Relationship Management

• Cultivate and maintain relationships with existing partners, ensuring ongoing dialogue and addressing any issues or concerns in a timely manner.
• Implement effective tracking and management systems to monitor partner relationship health, ensuring all partnerships are mutually beneficial and productive.

3. Strategic Communication

• Prepare high-quality reports, presentations, and updates for stakeholders, ensuring clear and accurate communication about program achievements, challenges, and needs.
• Support in developing strategic partnership communication materials, including brochures, newsletters, and updates to keep partners engaged and informed.
• Represent the NGO at external events, networking opportunities, and strategic meetings to promote the organization’s mission and programmatic impact.

4. Donor Engagement

• Work with internal teams to draft proposals, concept notes, and budgets tailored to partnership needs and donor priorities.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, guidelines, and reporting requirements, maintaining transparency and accountability in all engagements.

Qualifications and Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in International Relations, Business Administration, Communication, or a related field; a Master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 2 years of experience in partnerships, business development, or public relations, with a focus on donor relations in an NGO or INGO setting preferred.
• Substantial experience in partnership management within the Syrian context.
• High proficiency in English (both speaking and writing) and native-level fluency in Arabic.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills, with the ability to build rapport with partners and stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to develop proposals, concept notes, partnership agreements, and reports, ensuring they meet donor and organizational standards.
• Strong knowledge of core partnership elements, including capacity strengthening, monitoring, and mapping.
• Highly organized with strong analytical and administrative skills, focusing on detail, quality assurance, and compliance with donor requirements.
• Effective in working within multicultural environments, handling sensitive situations with diplomacy and professionalism.
• Strong cultural awareness, adaptability, and the ability to build relationships quickly with a diverse range of people.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines.

Core Competencies

• Relationship Management: Skilled in building, maintaining, and enhancing partnerships to support organizational goals.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to align partnerships with the broader mission and objectives of the organization, fostering long-term impact.
• Communication: Proficient in written and verbal communication with the ability to create clear, persuasive materials.
• Accountability: Highly organized and attentive to details, ensuring partnerships are compliant and meet stakeholder expectations.
• Adaptability: Responsive to the dynamic needs of a complex environment and able to pivot as partnership needs evolve.