Senior Partnerships Coordinator

Background:

Over the past 80 years, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) has developed unparalleled expertise in responding to emergencies and helping uprooted communities to rebuild. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.

Technical Excellence and Grant Operations & Analytics Team

At the IRC, we define and measure our success as positive changes in people’s lives in relation to five outcome areas: health, education, economic well-being, safety and power, while helping to narrow the gender gap. To achieve these outcomes – to drive our impact – our programs must be based on the best available evidence and aligned with our theories of change; adapted to context; responsive to client needs and preferences; and continuously improved by generating evidence, measuring what we do, and acting on what we learn. The Technical Excellence team supports the delivery of this.

Established in April 2021, the Grant Operations & Analytics Team (GOAT) brought together grants, business development, finance, and analytics functions and staff from each Technical Excellence Unit to one centralized team to increase efficiency, effectiveness and quality control across Technical Excellence grants and business operations. The primary purpose of this team is to harmonize capacity and capabilities and drive efficiencies by establishing consistent, high-quality standards and best practices to the service of improved budgeting, grants & contracts management, partnership management, business development, and data collection and analytics. The Grant Operations & Analytics Team strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, create a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible service to our clients.

The Role:

The Senior Partnerships Coordinator, Grant Operations & Analytics Team (GOAT) will maintain quality awards management for a portfolio of grants and contracts with a Partnerships focus within IRC’s Technical Excellence (TechEx) Department. Reporting to the Director, Grant Operations and Analytics Team, this position will work closely with in-country and HQ staff, including award managers, finance, and business development, to ensure effective partnership and management of GOAT managed awards in line with IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS). The role will also support timely and accurate reporting, maintenance of records, and leadership of the proposal process for new awards. The Senior Partnerships Coordinator will also supervise two Partnerships Officers. This position has limited field travel and logistical support for special projects.

Major Responsibilities:

Business Development (estimated 15% of time):

• Support Unit technical staff in the development of proposals for new opportunities with partnership element, including reviewing and contributing to concept notes and full proposals, crafting budgets in accordance with donor guidelines and program needs and ensuring IRC compliance
• Provide advice on PEERS processes during development phase as required.
• Work closely with Senior Adviser, Business Development to facilitate vetting requirements of upcoming opportunities.

Partnerships within GOAT (estimated 55% of time)

• Act as a contributing member of the GOAT Management Team, championing cross-unit service and collaboration
• Develop and maintain an expertise in PEERS. Keep abreast of changes to processes and how this effects TU-led grants and contracts.
• Serve as an in-house advisor on PEERS for GOAT. Use knowledge to guide Grants Managers, Contracts Advisers, and Partnerships Officers on PEERS processes as they arise. Mapping out roles and responsibilities considering TechEx ways of working and ensuring GOAT staff are following appropriate processes.
• Work closely with the GOAT Senior Advisers for Grant Operations and Commercial Contracts to develop PEERS guidance specific to TechEx grants and contracts.
• Directly participate in partnership processes where required, often working directly with GOAT team members, other HQ teams, and project delivery teams.
• Lead on the collection and ongoing management of key information and data related to TechEx partnerships.
• Participate in relevant partnership meetings for specific TechEx awards.
• Collaborate with the Director and other team members to define and represent GOAT’s service offering in partnerships, business development, awards management, and finance and data.

Partnerships outside of GOAT (10%)

• Work with Awards Management Unit (AMU) to deliver TechEx specific training to all 5 units within TechEx.
• Cultivate ties and growing connections with other HQ partnerships teams and initiatives to support GOAT’s continued engagement and support of PEERs and partnership related efforts.

Staff Supervision & Development (estimated 20% of time):

• Supervise Partnerships Officers
• Monitor and build the technical capacity of direct reports as needed
• Maintain and promote a positive work environment for direct reports including providing timely support, effective feedback and professional development opportunities
• Ensure that direct reports understand the roles and responsibilities of their position, have agreed performance objectives for each year and receive required training on IRC systems and processes
• Monitor quality, activity timelines and due dates for award deliverables to ensure staff meet internal and/or external requirements and deadlines

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Director, Grant Operations and Analytics Team

Position directly supervises: Two Partnerships Officers

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal:

• Regularcontact withTechnical Units, Finance teams, Global Supply Chain team and the Awards Management Unit
  • Collaborate closely with country program staff.

External: Interact with donors, partners, vendors, contractors, and consultants.

Job Requirements:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant field is required.

Work Experience:

• Approximately 7 years of experience managing government and/or private grants
  • Demonstrated experience developing proposals for public and private donors
  • Demonstrated experience in partnerships management
  • Previous management experience and/or training is desirable

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• Excellent budget management skills including experience tracking expenses and developing spending plans
  • Knowledge of donor compliance regulations, particularly on partnership management.
  • Excellent critical thinking skills in order to problem-solve independently; ability to address complex business challenges, adhere to tight deadlines, and adapt to changing variables
  • Dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion and a strong passion for our mission
  • Excellent organizational skills: the ability to multi-task, learn quickly, and work independently and productively in a fast-paced and exact environment
  • Excellent interpersonal and communication skills: the ability to effectively collaborate with and motivate a variety of people in a multi-cultural environment
  • Excellent digital literacy: MS Word, Excel, and Desktop Publishing. Proficiency in Excel preferred.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in English; French, Spanish or Arabic language skills a plus

Working Environment:

• Standard office work environment
  • Travel less than 20%

1. International Rescue Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. International Rescue Committee considers all candidates based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

1. International Rescue Committee is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including flexible hours (when possible), parental leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols.