NGO Forum Partnerships and Localization Adviser

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee due to conflict and crises. Established to provide life-saving and long-term assistance, NRC operates in 40 countries with a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members. The organization is dedicated to addressing the needs of vulnerable populations, particularly in the Middle East, where it has over 3,000 staff members working in countries such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, and Palestine. NRC's humanitarian interventions are grounded in its core competencies, which include Shelter, Education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), Livelihoods and security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">security" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">Food Security, and Information Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA). The organization is committed to diversity and inclusion, ensuring that its workforce reflects the communities it serves and that all employees are empowered to contribute to its mission.

Job Overview:
The NGO Forum Partnerships and Localization Adviser position at NRC Syria is designed for a dynamic humanitarian leader who will provide strategic leadership on localization and partnership strengthening within the Syria NGO Forum. This role is crucial in supporting collective efforts to advance locally led humanitarian action, ensuring that partnerships are equitable, principled, and effective. The adviser will work to improve access to quality funding and decision-making opportunities for Syrian civil society organizations. Key responsibilities include coordinating and facilitating engagement among national and international NGOs, donors, UN agencies, and other humanitarian stakeholders. The adviser will lead evidence-based analysis and collective advocacy, while also supporting the development of practical standards, tools, and initiatives that enhance the leadership, participation, influence, and capacity of Syrian civil society. The role also involves serving as a focal point for localization and partnership issues, ensuring that Forum priorities are informed by evidence, learning, and stakeholder perspectives, and translating emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities into strategic recommendations and collective action.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The specific responsibilities of the NGO Forum Partnerships and Localization Adviser include:

• Providing leadership on localization initiatives and partnership strengthening within the Syria NGO Forum.
• Coordinating and facilitating engagement among national and international NGOs, donors, UN agencies, and other humanitarian stakeholders.
• Leading evidence-based analysis and collective advocacy efforts to promote locally led humanitarian action.
• Supporting the development of practical standards, tools, and initiatives that enhance the capacity and influence of Syrian civil society organizations.
• Serving as a focal point for localization and partnership issues, ensuring that Forum priorities are informed by evidence and stakeholder perspectives.
• Translating emerging trends and challenges into strategic recommendations and collective action.
• Engaging in research and knowledge management to support the Forum's objectives.
• Advocating for equitable resource allocation and improved access to funding for local actors.
• Representing the Forum in various stakeholder meetings and discussions.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for this position should possess the following qualifications:

• A Master's degree in humanitarian affairs, international development, public policy, political science, social sciences, or a related field.
• A first-level university degree combined with significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in humanitarian action, NGO coordination, localization, partnerships, policy, advocacy, or organizational development.
• Demonstrated experience working with national and international NGOs.
• Proven experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder coordination processes and working groups.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities, with experience producing analytical papers, reports, policy briefs, and advocacy products.
• Excellent facilitation, networking, and consensus-building skills.
• Strong understanding of localization debates, partnership practices, and humanitarian reform processes.
• Experience managing strategic relationships and influencing diverse stakeholders. 1
• Knowledge of donor policies, humanitarian financing trends, and barriers to direct funding for local actors.

Educational Background:
Candidates are required to have a Master's degree in humanitarian affairs, international development, public policy, political science, social sciences, or a related field. Alternatively, a first-level university degree combined with significant relevant experience may be considered in lieu of an advanced degree. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of the complexities involved in humanitarian action and NGO coordination.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in relevant fields such as humanitarian action, NGO coordination, localization, partnerships, policy, advocacy, or organizational development. Candidates should have demonstrated experience working with both national and international NGOs, as well as experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder coordination processes and working groups. Proven experience in producing analytical papers, reports, policy briefs, and advocacy products is also essential. Additionally, candidates should have experience engaging with donors, UN agencies, and humanitarian coordination mechanisms, which is critical for the role.

Languages:
The position requires excellent written and spoken Arabic as well as strong English language skills. Proficiency in both languages is essential for effective communication with stakeholders and for producing high-quality written materials. Knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset but is not mandatory.

Additional Notes:
This position is based in Damascus, Syria, and applicants must be legally eligible to work in Syria, as NRC is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this role. The contract is fixed-term and renewable based on performance and funding availability. The role may involve approximately 40% travel. NRC offers a competitive salary based on its national salary scale and is committed to being an equal opportunities employer, promoting diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability. The organization encourages innovative thinking and provides opportunities for employees to take initiative and contribute to its mission.