Partnerships Coordinator

Job Posting Organization:
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is an international humanitarian organization founded in Denmark in 195

• With a mission to assist refugees and internally displaced persons globally, DRC provides emergency aid, advocates for their rights, and works to strengthen their opportunities for a brighter future. The organization has grown to employ over 7,000 staff and 8,000 volunteers, operating in multiple countries and focusing on conflict-affected areas, displacement routes, and host communities. DRC's vision is to ensure a dignified life for all displaced individuals, guided by core values such as humanity, respect, independence, neutrality, participation, honesty, and transparency. In Syria, DRC has been active since 2008, initially addressing the Iraqi refugee crisis and later expanding its efforts to respond to the ongoing Syria crisis from 2011 onwards. DRC Syria employs an area-based approach to support internally displaced persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities across various sectors, including Economic Recovery and Resilience, Protection, WASH, Shelter and Infrastructure, and Humanitarian Disarmament and Peacebuilding. The organization is committed to providing rapid responses to emerging crises and fostering resilience in fragile communities, with active programs in neighboring countries such as Jordan, Lebanon, Türkiye, and Iraq, facilitating a cross-border response to the Syria crisis through protection monitoring and advocacy.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships Coordinator is a pivotal role within DRC Syria, responsible for implementing a strategic framework and dedicated systems to enhance partnerships with local actors, national authorities, civil society organizations, the private sector, and other stakeholders across Syria. This position involves developing and coordinating DRC's partnership approach in Syria, ensuring that tools and practices are tailored to the local context. The Partnerships Coordinator is tasked with driving a strategic shift towards local leadership by fostering equitable and high-quality partnerships with local entities, ensuring that DRC's partnership portfolio aligns with community priorities and national frameworks. The role requires collaboration across departments to establish systems for identifying, pursuing, and maintaining effective partnerships that contribute to DRC's strategic objectives. The Partnerships Coordinator will also be responsible for mapping new partnership opportunities, assessing partner capacities, and providing ongoing support to partner organizations throughout program implementation. This position emphasizes the importance of ensuring that all partnership activities meet high-quality standards for engagement and institutional strengthening, positioning local actors as central leaders in the humanitarian response. The role has a country focus, ensuring that localization commitments are integrated into daily operations and providing technical guidance to field teams for consistent and compliant partnership management.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnerships Coordinator will lead the development and implementation of DRC Syria's localization strategy, promoting the vision among staff and partners. Responsibilities include participating in country-level partnerships and localization working groups, coordinating with external agencies, and developing systematic approaches to identify and pursue strategic partnerships. The role involves defining roles and responsibilities for partnership engagement across departments, preparing high-quality reports, and maintaining a partnership database. The Partnerships Coordinator will facilitate the signing of Sub-Grant Agreements, ensure compliance with DRC's core values, and coordinate monitoring activities related to partners' project implementation. Additionally, the role includes conducting partner organizational capacity assessments, developing capacity development plans, and promoting relationships of mutual respect with partners. The Partnerships Coordinator will also support collaborative design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design, ensuring local partners are involved in strategic planning and project design, and will lead on proposal development for funding opportunities related to partnerships and localization. The position requires maintaining quality information management and ensuring compliance with internal and external reporting requirements.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least 5 years of experience in a relevant field within an INGO or humanitarian context, with a minimum of 3 years in project or program oversight. A good understanding of donor compliance regulations is essential, along with significant experience in dealing with national partners and local authorities. The ideal candidate should have a professional background in working with internally displaced persons and/or refugees, as well as experience in training and liaising with national NGOs. Strong organizational skills and the ability to work in multicultural settings are crucial, along with full professional proficiency in English and Arabic. Candidates should also demonstrate a willingness to embrace and develop objectives related to gender equity, impact monitoring, and cross-sector cooperation.

Educational Background:
An advanced degree in political science, international development, economics, or a related field is desirable for this position. This educational background will provide the necessary theoretical foundation and analytical skills required for effective partnership coordination and program management within the humanitarian context.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in an INGO or humanitarian organization, with at least 3 years dedicated to project or program oversight. Candidates should have a proven track record of managing partnerships and working effectively with local and national organizations, as well as experience in training and capacity building for national NGOs. Familiarity with compliance regulations and experience in multicultural environments are also essential.

Languages:
Fluency in both written and spoken English and Arabic is mandatory for this role. Proficiency in these languages is crucial for effective communication with partners, stakeholders, and team members, ensuring that all parties are engaged and informed throughout the partnership process.

Additional Notes:
The position is classified as non-management level G and is based in Damascus, Syria. The contract length is until June 2027, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. The expected start date is as soon as possible. Interested candidates must submit a cover letter and an updated CV, both in the same language as the vacancy note, with CV-only applications not being considered. The application deadline is set for 04 September 2026.