Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people forced to flee their homes due to conflict, persecution, or natural disasters. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 staff members, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing life-saving assistance and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons, ensuring that they receive the necessary aid and protection in times of crisis. NRC's mission is to promote human dignity and empower communities to rebuild their lives, focusing on the principles of neutrality, independence, and impartiality in its operations.

Job Overview:
The Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement Manager at NRC Ethiopia will play a pivotal role in leading and enhancing the organization's approach to building, managing, and expanding meaningful partnerships. This position is crucial for developing and implementing NRC Ethiopia's Partnership Strategy and related Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), ensuring alignment with NRC's overarching vision, strategic priorities, and commitment to localization. The manager will be responsible for fostering a consistent and coordinated approach to partnerships across the Country Office and Area Offices, establishing and maintaining strong relationships with a diverse array of stakeholders, including civil society organizations, private sector entities, academic institutions, and public authorities. The role encompasses overseeing the entire lifecycle of formal partnerships, from due diligence and partner selection to capacity assessments, agreement management, compliance monitoring, and audits. Additionally, the manager will support and enhance the capacity of NRC's partners, ensuring they are well-informed about donor requirements, compliance regulations, reporting deadlines, and NRC procedures, while providing practical assistance to help them meet these expectations. This position is designed for an individual who recognizes that effective partnerships extend beyond mere contractual agreements, emphasizing the importance of trust, shared responsibility, mutual learning, and a collective commitment to achieving better outcomes for the communities served by NRC.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement Manager will be responsible for a comprehensive set of duties, including but not limited to: developing and implementing the Partnership Strategy for NRC Ethiopia; ensuring that all partnership approaches are aligned with NRC's strategic priorities and policies; building and maintaining relationships with various stakeholders; overseeing the full lifecycle of partnerships, including due diligence, partner selection, capacity assessments, agreement management, compliance monitoring, and audits; providing support and training to partners to enhance their understanding of donor requirements and compliance regulations; promoting a culture of meaningful and equitable partnerships within NRC Ethiopia; advising colleagues and leadership on strategic partnership decisions; facilitating knowledge and capacity sharing among partners; contributing to the advancement of localization across NRC's programs; and ensuring that partnerships are managed effectively to deliver quality programs that meet the needs of the communities served.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates for the Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement Manager position must possess a combination of qualifications, including: a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a humanitarian, recovery, human rights, or development context; a university degree relevant to the position; a solid understanding of humanitarian principles; experience in managing and implementing programs in humanitarian settings; the ability to work independently and proactively; strong prioritization skills to manage multiple competing deadlines; fluency in English and Amharic, both written and verbal; a solid understanding of the Ethiopian civil society and private sector context; documented results related to private sector engagement and partnership relations; excellent networking, coordination, training, and facilitation skills; strong communication skills, both written and verbal; excellent interpersonal skills, with a proactive and self-motivated attitude; attention to detail, organizational skills, and discretion with confidential information; and previous experience in complex and volatile contexts is considered an asset, as well as a background in program management and familiarity with NRC's thematic areas such as ICLA, Shelter, LFS, Protection, and Education.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for the Partnerships and Private Sector Engagement Manager position includes a university degree in a relevant field, which may encompass areas such as international relations, development studies, humanitarian assistance, or a related discipline. This educational foundation should be complemented by relevant professional experience that aligns with the responsibilities of the role, ensuring that candidates are well-equipped to navigate the complexities of partnership management in a humanitarian context.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a substantial level of experience, specifically 3-5 years, in working within humanitarian, recovery, human rights, or development contexts. This experience should include a proven track record of managing and implementing programs in challenging environments, demonstrating the ability to navigate the complexities of partnership dynamics and stakeholder engagement effectively. Candidates should also have experience in private sector engagement and partnership relations, showcasing their capability to foster meaningful collaborations that yield positive outcomes for the communities served by NRC.

Languages:
Fluency in both English and Amharic is mandatory for this position, with strong written and verbal communication skills in both languages being essential for effective collaboration and partnership management. Proficiency in additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the local context or the communities served by NRC.

Additional Notes:
The position is based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and is offered as a fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal based on performance, availability of funds, and the ongoing need for the position. The role may require travel of up to 40% to various locations within Ethiopia. The salary and benefits for this position are classified under grade 9 on NRC's Resident/National salary scale, accompanied by the organization's terms and conditions. NRC 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 empowers employees at all levels to share ideas and take responsibility, fostering a supportive work culture.