Partnership Officer

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organization that has been established to assist people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict, disaster, or persecution. NRC operates in multiple countries around the world, providing essential support and services to millions of people in need. The organization is dedicated to delivering high-quality aid and defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons. NRC emphasizes values such as dedication, innovation, inclusivity, and accountability in its operations and relationships. The organization is committed to fostering a supportive culture that encourages professional growth and innovative teamwork, ensuring that employees at all levels are given responsibilities and opportunities for development. NRC also prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion in its workforce, aiming to create an environment where all employees feel valued and respected.

Job Overview:
The Partnership Officer role is crucial for fostering strong collaborations that align with NRC's strategic objectives. This position is designed for motivated and detail-oriented individuals who will support the growth and effectiveness of NRC's partnerships. The Partnership Officer will be responsible for facilitating partner assessments, managing partnership agreements, and ensuring smooth coordination of joint activities. This role requires a proactive approach to identifying potential partners, providing guidance on NRC's partnership principles, and maintaining effective communication with partners. The Partnership Officer will also play a key role in monitoring and evaluating partnerships, contributing to partnership mapping and analysis, and identifying challenges and opportunities in partnership management. The position demands a collaborative spirit, as the officer will work closely with various departments and stakeholders to enhance NRC's localization efforts and overall partnership effectiveness.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Partnership Officer will have a comprehensive set of responsibilities, including but not limited to: supporting the identification, assessment, and selection of potential partners in alignment with NRC's strategic priorities; facilitating the development and management of partnership agreements while ensuring compliance with NRC policies and donor requirements; providing guidance and support to partners on NRC's partnership principles, tools, and processes; maintaining effective communication and coordination with partners to ensure timely information-sharing and issue resolution; supporting the monitoring and evaluation of partnerships, including partner performance and overall effectiveness; contributing to partnership mapping, analysis, and reporting to strengthen NRC's localization efforts; identifying challenges and opportunities in partnership management and proposing solutions; organizing and participating in partnership meetings, workshops, and joint planning sessions; supporting NRC staff in understanding partnership approaches and best practices; assisting in mapping local partners and ensuring that partner mapping is current; facilitating communication and coordination between NRC and partners; conducting monitoring visits to partners as required; supporting organizational assessments and vetting of potential partners; identifying capacity development needs and coordinating capacity-building exercises; providing short translations of relevant documents; assisting in contracting and sub-granting processes; and maintaining documentation of partner projects and partnership documents according to NRC's filing systems.

Required Qualifications:
The ideal candidate for the Partnership Officer position should possess a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Management of Non-Profit Organizations, International Development, or a related field. A good understanding of Ukrainian civil society is considered an advantage. The candidate should demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills, particularly with experience in Excel. Additionally, the candidate should have the ability to support partners in organizational development and capacity building. A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in a humanitarian or development agency, or within Ukrainian civil society or local academia, is required. Proficiency in both written and verbal English and Ukrainian is mandatory. The candidate should be capable of working independently with limited supervision, possess good interpersonal skills, and demonstrate attention to detail and discretion with confidential information. Familiarity with MS Office 365 applications and online information platforms is also necessary, along with a willingness to work in Chernihiv as the duty station for this position.

Educational Background:
Candidates applying for the Partnership Officer position must have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant field such as Business Administration, Management of Non-Profit Organizations, International Development, or a related discipline. This educational background is essential to ensure that the candidate has the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage partnerships and support organizational objectives.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 2 years of professional experience working in either a humanitarian or development agency, or within Ukrainian civil society or local academia. This level of experience is crucial for the candidate to understand the complexities of partnership management and to effectively engage with various stakeholders in the field.

Languages:
Proficiency in both English and Ukrainian is mandatory for this position. The candidate must possess good working skills in both languages, as effective communication with partners and stakeholders is a critical aspect of the role. Additional language skills may be considered an asset but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
This position is open to internal candidates only, who have the legal right to work in Ukraine. The organization is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this role. The Partnership Officer will be expected to adhere to NRC's values and principles, including a commitment to safeguarding and creating a safe environment for all employees and partners. The role may involve administrative support and assistance as required by the line manager, and the candidate should be prepared to engage in various partnership-related activities as needed.