Partnership Officer

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 700 staff in Ukraine and will continue significant scale-up in 2024 to implement emergency response in the Protection, Livelihoods, 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.

About the job

Under supervision of the Partnership Team Leader, the Partnership Officer contributes to the development of potential partnership opportunities with civil society organizations (CSOs) and the implementation of projects strengthening the operational and programmatic capacity of CSOs through the assessment of CSO needs, development and facilitation of trainings, field visits and close collaboration with context-relevant stakeholders. The Partnership Officer conducts due diligence, contracting, follows up on reporting of the partner and ensures partner compliance with DRC standards and policies. The Partnership Officer acts as focal point for partner CSOs to develop and maintain good relations with relevant stakeholders and other humanitarian actors, to support adequate implementation and coordination of project activities. 

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

Partnership Development (Due Diligence, Vetting and Contracting)

• Support and lead the partnership selection process, at area level, through: preliminary meetings with partners, supporting 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.
• Work with Support Service departments to support local partner to implement processes and policies that ensure alignment with DRC standards.
• Support evaluation of DRC and partner performance to identify long-term partners for DRC activities.

• Support in identifying potential partnership opportunities and mapping of active organizations in the area of operations.
• 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 Team Leader.

Programming and Operations

• Through due diligence and / or capacity assessment help identify needs and gaps of CSOs supported.
• Under the leadership of the Area Office Partnership team, participate to the development of capacity development plan relevant to CSOs needs.
• Follow up at area level on respective activities such as trainings, mentorships, knowledge and experience exchange events for CSOs etc.
• When required, assist in designing and delivering high quality capacity building activities to address the identified needs of CSOs.
• In coordination with the Area Sector Managers/Team Leaders, follow up with DRC partners on project implementation as per agreed workplan and proposal.
• Work closely with Area Support teams, to support the partners in the monitoring of their financial commitments, expenditures against budgets and procurements, as per DRC standards.
• Work closely with the Partners Program teams to ensure the collection and review of means of verifications for project implementation are carried out according to DRC standards.

Accountability and Reporting

• Ensure partners’ compliance with internal and external reporting requirements.
• Alert the Partnership team leader if non-compliance or potential risks are detected.
• In coordination with DRC MEAL department, follow up on partners oversight for quality insurance at area level.
• Perform monitoring and field visits to locations where partners are implementing activities within the area.
• Produce project documentation in English and Ukrainian, including, but not limited meeting minutes, concept notes, proposals, budgets (to donors) and a variety of (internal and external) reports and publications.
• Provide inputs for monthly, quarterly, and annual donor reports, if required, concerning partnership’s results, challenges, and achievements.

Representation

• Act as (area) focal point for CSO partners.
• Represent DRC via active participation in partner meetings (with partners directly) and DRC.

About you

To be successful in the role of Partnership Officer, we expect you to have at least 2 years of practical experience in working with local CSOs. Also we expect the following:

• Relevant university degree (e.g. political science, international affairs, social sciences, economics, finance, accounting etc.) or equivalent professional qualification.
• Knowledge of capacity building practices; awareness of common approaches to strengthening organizational frameworks, demonstrated interest in institutional development practices.
• Good reporting and organisational skills.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, negotiation and public speaking skills.
• Calm and diplomatic nature.
• Excellent skills in using MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams and Zoom.
• Experience working in a humanitarian organization will be an asset
• Finance background and procurement knowledge will be an asset.
• Advanced level of English is required.
• Fluency in Ukrainian language.

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies:

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process.

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback.

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly.

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer:

Contract length: open ended contract after 3 month probation period. 
Level: H – Non-Management
Designation of Duty Station: Mykolaiv – Full time based 

Start date: As soon as possible.
Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for national staff.

 

Application process:

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages in English).

Applications are open until 26th August 2024  

Applications sent by email will not be considered.

We reserve the right to conduct further interviews before the deadline for submission of applications.