Background

In 2024, NRC Syria Response Office (SRO) developed a new partnership strategy. The strategy outlines a new approach to working with partners, one that is more strategic and equitable, and with planned growth in the number of local partnerships over the coming years.

The purpose of the Partnership Manager position is to lead the implementation of the partnership strategy. The person will need to champion localisation and work closely with colleagues across all departments to ensure they understand NRC’s approach to working with partners.

The Partnership Manager will need to guide the identification, selection and due diligence process for several new partners, as well as oversee the contracting, kick-off and monitoring of these partnerships. The Partnership Manager will need to ensure all staff are aware of their roles and responsibilities in this process and to develop and roll out tools and guidance to do this.

The Partnership Manager will also need to guide relationships with new partners, ensuring that a longer-term, more strategic and equitable approach is taken with partners. This will involve discussing with partners their capacity development needs, but also ensuring that partners participate in NRC SRO’s annual strategy process and that they have the opportunity to provide feedback on the partnership with SRO. The position will not have managerial responsibilities.

This position is open to Jordanian nationals only. Please note that NRC will not be in a position to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position

What you will do: 

In this position, you will do:

Partnership Strategy

• Lead the implementation of the NRC SRO Partnership Strategy.
• Lead and facilitate the continued development and improvement of NRC SRO’s partnership Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and tools, based on lessons learned and feedback.
• Lead the identification and assessment of civil society, the private sector, academia and local authorities, as potential local partners.
• Build a network of key partners and stakeholders, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), applying innovation approaches to partnership and project development.
• Facilitate the participation of local partners in NRC SRO’s annual strategy process.

Partnership Unit Management

• Support to develop a positive organisational culture to working with local partners.
• Liaise and coordinate with other functions when applying NRC SRO partnership SOPs, and tools throughout the project cycle.
• Lead a structured approach to partnerships, including the development of tools for identifying, assessing, capacity building, monitoring, and evaluating partnerships.
• Provide training and coaching support to programme and support staff to ensure they are clear on their roles and responsibilities with regards to partnership and how to do this.
• Contribute to meetings ‘objectives and engagements with relevant actors.
• Proactively solve conflicts and address issues and misunderstandings that could occur between NRC and various partners.
• Coordinate regular partnership committee meetings to ensure senior management is kept informed of progress and guides future direction.
• Act as a help desk to any partnership queries from colleagues across SRO.

Project Implementation Agreement Management

• Collaborate with the grants unit to ensure that donor requirements/procedures are reflected in the PIAs and modification requests.
• Support in negotiating new projects and programs with partners, including coordinating technical and financial requirements in line with donors’ requirements/procedures.
• Supervise or directly draft partnership agreements and/or contractual documents required for implementation of new projects.
• Work actively with the Core Competency and program support unit teams (CFM, MEL, SIP and grants) to ensure strong mainstreaming of core NRC ways of working across operational partners.
• Provide technical support to partners, particularly on MEL, grants, HR, financial logistics management and compliance in close coordination with relevant staff.
• Provide technical guidance to staff working across areas on topics related with partnership.
• Provide oversight of partner projects ensuring that key steps are followed, such as kick-off and review meetings, and that key agreed checks, such as review of financial reports, take place as agreed.
• Ensure the adherence of the partnership interventions with NRC’s Project Cycle Management (PCM) approach.

Capacity Sharing

• Assess the partner’s priority needs in terms of capacity development.
• Provide and oversee necessary assistance to partners to ensure smooth implementation of partnership agreements and foster partners’ overall development.
• Ensure partners have an opportunity to provide feedback on their partnership with NRC SRO.
• Actively integrate partner feedback, suggestions and complaints into NRC programmes.
• Lead the partner evaluation and learning events.
• Facilitate peer-to-peer learning among relevant internal staff and partners and develop an exchange network that can share best practices in relation to partnerships.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the role

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in relevant area. Master’s degree would be advantageous
• Minimum 4 years of relevant senior-level experience with NGO and/or international organisation, preferably leading partnership-related duties
• Experience from working in complex humanitarian contexts
• Experience working with (inter)national and local civil society organizations
• Experience in leading tasks and processes successfully, managing and prioritizing a high and diverse workload.
• Knowledge about own leadership skills/profile.
• Fluency in English and Arabic, both written and verbal

Context-related skills, knowledge and experience:

• Knowledge of the Syrian context would be an added value
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Experience working in remote management contexts is desirable
• Familiarity with and passion for the localisation agenda
• Experience in team capacity building and facilitation skills
• Excellent coordination, communication (verbal and written) and networking skills
• Advanced computer skills, especially in MS Office; Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Outlook

What we offer:

• Duty station: Amman, Jordan
• Contract: until 31st December 2025 (possible extension, dependent on performance & funding)
• Travel: up to 10%
• Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s scale with accompanying terms and conditions
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Important information about the application process:

• To apply as an internal candidate, log in with your official email, or click on Opportunity MarketPlace.
• When creating your profile, include your full name as given on your passport. Complete all the system-required fields for experience, employment history and education.
• Submit your application and CV in English, ensuring to attach your latest CV.
• Applications that do not meet the minimum standards in terms of experience or qualifications will generally not be considered. Unsolicited applications not related to this specific job advertisement will not be considered.
• We receive many applications for each vacant position, and as a result only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
• We invite applications from all qualified and interested candidates. Send in your application by 17th December 2024.
• If you have any questions about this role, please email menaro.recruitment@nrc.no  with the job title as the subject line.

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements