Regional Partnership Specialist

Background:

DRC has been providing relief and development services in the East Africa and the Great Lakes (EAGL) region since 1997. Using a human rights framework, the EAGL operation focuses mainly on people who are affected by displacement, including refugees, internally displaced, and migrants in Ethiopia, Djibouti, Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. The EAGL Regional office also supports non-operational initiatives, focusing on mixed migration issues, civil society engagement, and advocacy and policy initiatives related to displacement.

Overall purpose of the role:

Responsible for supporting regional and country operations to identify partnership opportunities and potential partners to improve the quality and relevance of DRC’s work in the region, as well as to develop the appropriate approaches, tools and capacity within the region to support DRC to be a good partner and to apply good partnership principles. The role will also support in relevant localization approaches for EAGL to achieve the strategic organization principle on ‘Go Local’ in the 2022/25 strategic plan.

Responsibilities:

General Partnership support

• Establish and maintain good relationships with relevant counterparts of the government, the locally-represented foundations, international and national NGOs, CBOs and other civil society organizations
• Identify issues to be addressed to heighten accountability within all partnership relationships
• Lead negotiation with funders to complete partnership agreements and participate in the process of developing internal MOUs to ensure alignment across all stakeholder groups
• Upon request, engages in promoting various partnership related initiatives at CO or RO level; including the identification and engagement of strategic partners, supporting capacity development, etc
• Contribute to learning by liaising with broader DRC and with external actors
• Contribute to the DRC EAGL strategic direction for partnerships, and subsequent roadmap to operationalize regional ambitions

Support the Localization Agenda

• Lead the region in developing and implementation of the EAGL’s localization strategy in line with the global strategy plan, and based on a thorough political and contextual understanding in all operation areas in the region
• Support the region and country operations to integrate innovative and practical localisation approaches with local actors, as part of their programming
• Lead in the review and documentation of best practices, lessons learnt and evidence on effective and sustainable localization approaches in the region

CSO and NGO partners

• Support country and regional operations to identify strategic CSO and NGO partners
• Support RO and CO to establish alliances and partnership agreements in advance of strategic consortium funding opportunities based on Country and Regional strategies
• Develop and/or support COs to develop appropriate approaches, guidance, and tools for effective partnership engagement and management
• Support with the design of projects that have a focus on or key components of civil society engagement
• Look for opportunities to facilitate the participation of strategic national actors in regional forums and access to relevant influential bodies, to elevate local voice and influence in decision making
• Lead on providing input to and facilitating the contextualization, piloting, and roll out of newly developed global partnership tools and approaches
• Support country and regional staff with orientation of DRC global strategic direction for civil society partners, and partnership management resources available to staff

Government partners:

• Work with relevant Country teams to identify the needs for approaches and tools to establish new ways of working with government partners

Private sector partners:

• Support the PIBE and/or Alternative Finance Specialist as requested to develop necessary tools or capacities to support private sector partnerships

About you

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’s 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 act in line with our vision and values.

Qualifications and Experience

• At least five years’ experience with humanitarian and/or development programming
• Knowledge and experience in Business Development and fundraising concepts and practice with foreign aid and non-profit organizations
• A University degree in relevant field
• Experience in successfully managing institutional partnerships with national and international NGOs
• Experience in establishing and maintaining collaborative relationships with donors and government counterparts.
• Demonstrated experience with conflict related displacement issues
• Good communicator and proven diplomacy with all types of stakeholders
• Proven commitment to accountable practices and knowledgeable of quality assurance systems
• Experience of managing budgets and multiple donor contracts
• Strong representation and negotiation skills
• Demonstrated cross cultural communication skills
• Demonstrated experience in donor contact, fundraising and networking
• Fluency in English (speaking, writing, reading) is essential
• Fluency in French is an added benefit

Conditions

Contract: Until 31st December 2022 with possibility of extension, subject to funding and performance. Salary and conditions in accordance with the Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for National staff conditions in the respective Country.; band Non- Manager Band G2

Availability: 1st June 2022

Duty station: This position can be based in either of the following locations; Burundi,Congo,Djibouti ,Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan , South Sudan ,Somalia or Tanzania with travel within East Africa and Great Lakes Region

Reporting Line: Regional Business Development & Partnerships Unit (BPDU) Manager

Providing equal opportunities We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment without attention to race, age, ability, ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other factor. At DRC we celebrate diversity and appreciate our employees for the people they are and their unique skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. We encourage all interested candidates to apply.

Promoting high standards : DRC’s capacity to ensure the protection of and assistance to refugees, IDP’s and other persons of concern depends on the ability of our staff to uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment. DRC conducts thorough and comprehensive background checks as part of the recruitment process