The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Partnerships Officer plays a crucial role in supporting the International Rescue Committee's partnership efforts in Syria. Working closely with the Partnership team based in Syria, the partnerships officer will be responsible for developing and maintaining strong relationships with local partners on the ground, capacity sharing initiatives, and ensuring effective coordination and collaboration with IRC’s partners. The officer will assist and contribute to the overall success of IRC's programs through effective partnership management and support.

 

Responsibilities:

Follow IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) that sets out efficient and responsive processes, delineates clear roles and responsibilities, and articulates IRC’s strategic approach to partnerships. Assist the partnership team for quality sub-award management, including sub-award start-up, sub-award implementation monitoring, capacity sharing and appropriate sub-award close-out.

 

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

Partnership Facilitation:

 Assist to identify, assess, and develop potential partnerships with local national NGOs. Develop and maintain strong working relationships with partners, ensuring regular communication and collaboration on the ground. Monitor partner performance, provide technical support and guidance through partnership team as needed, and address any partnership-related issues or challenges. Support the team to develop stakeholder analysis and update on regular basis. Lead the pre-award due diligence process with respect to all sub-awards, including through appropriate vetting, analysis of risks associated with the award, and the identification and implementation of appropriate measures to manage those risks, working with other departments as appropriate.  Draft sub-award agreements and follow IRC internal review process of all sub-award documentation and coordinate to get all necessary approvals.Assist monitoring the project activities, including visits to partner organizations to ensure that project activities are implemented in accordance with the work plan and budget. Develop agenda and materials for grant opening meetings, in coordination with support functions and program staff, to ensure projects start with clear expectations of both parties. Brief sub-award partners on agreements, as well as IRC’s and prime donors’ rules and regulations, in coordination with the Senior Partnership Finance Manager.Assist partnership team to draft and follow up on partners agreement with coordination with all internal relevant units and completing the OTIS flow. Record the IRC’s internal Partnership Working Group meeting minutes, follow up the action points with relevant assigned team members.

Partner Support and Capacity Sharing

Lead in organizing and conducting PCM meetings with partners, ensuring inputs from program, finance and compliance staff are received and included, meeting minutes taken, filed, and disseminated to Program Coordinators and partners. Follow up on the implementation of action points agreed upon during these meetings.Prepare close-out letters and ensure that all requirements of the sub-award agreement have been met and that sub-award funds have been properly settled.Conduct monitoring visits and coordinate support for partners to address any concerns or issues that may arise. Ensure response and support plans are implemented.Conduct capacity assessments of partners and develop capacity sharing plans in collaboration with partnership team and Capacity Sharing focal point.Assist in organizing training sessions, workshops, and mentorship programs to enhance partners' organizational and programmatic capabilities. Provide assistance for technical support and guidance to partners, sharing best practices and ensuring adherence to IRC and donor requirements.

Documentation and Reporting:

Maintain partner files, including filing all appropriate communication and maintaining the Sub-Award Tracker, capturing all requirements throughout the sub-award life cycle (such as scheduled payments, partner deliverables, and special requirements). Record the meetings with current and potential partners, share with relevant colleagues and store in IRC system for future use.Create monthly progress report, share with partnership team, record the agreed action points and follow up with assigned team members.Assist the partnership team on working with partnered project responsible and other partnership staff to review monthly/quarterly internal reports and support the drafting and compilation of partner reports into overall donor reports.

 

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field, such as international development, business administration, or social sciences. 2 to 3  years of progressively demonstrated successful experience working with local partners and/or grants management. Strong understanding of stakeholder analysis and partner mapping techniques. Experience in developing partnership proposals and conducting partner capacity assessments. Previous experience in working with ECHO , GFFO , BMZ , FCDO funded projects is a plus. Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to work effectively in a team and with partners from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities under tight deadlines. Fluency in Arabic and English required.

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct. Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution. Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience. Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity. Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must. Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters.

Language/Travel:

Fluency in English and Arabic is required. Travel: 40% to field sites

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to:  Partnership ManagerPosition directly supervises: N/A Indirect Reporting (If applicable): Partnership CoordinatorKey Internal Contacts: IRC ProgramsKey External Contacts: Partners 
Standard of Professional Conduct:The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.