Partnerships Coordinator

ROLE PURPOSE

The Partnership Coordinator is responsible for supporting the implementation of Save the Children’s Country Strategic Plan through strong and strategic partnerships at the area office level. The role’s primary aim is to ensure the strengthening of local-led response in a way that is mutually beneficial to Save the Children and its partners in order to bring about positive changes for children. The Partnership Coordinator will lead Save the Children’s partnership approach in the South Area Office, working closely with the country office teams (Technical Advisors, Operations team, Awards, Advocacy, and Finance) to ensure that partners are supported, and capacities strengthened. The Partnership Coordinator will be responsible for 3 main areas: 1) identification and relationship building with partners, 2) relationship management, 3) capacity building and civil society strengthening. The Partnership Coordinator will work with both well-established and new and emerging organizations and networks.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Partnerships strategy, identification and networking

• T ake a leadership role in the area-level process of exploring and identifying new partnerships to support the implementation of Save the Children’s Country Strategic Plan. This involves overseeing Expression of Interest (EOI) process and proactively identifying potential partners in response to requests from Area Offices and Country Office .
• Ensure partners participation in all stages of the project cycle management, including project design, implementation, reporting and close out.
• Network and identify partners in line with Save the Children’s advocacy objectives to support joint advocacy efforts, including civil society networks, coalitions etc.
• Identify networking opportunities, play a representational role at senior area level and regularly attend conferences and events to expand knowledge on potential partners’ expertise
• Undertake full organizational capacity assessment in line with Save the Children tools and procedures to onboard new implementing partners.
• Support all departments in implementing activities as defined in the Partnership RACI.

Relationship management

• Regularly update Save the Children’s partnership mapping for SAO
• Support other departments in their communication with partners to facilitate effective collaboration, enhance transparency, and ensure that the exchange of information is smooth and productive.
• Monitor the status of budget lines allocated for capacity building and, in collaboration with the Humanitarian Leadership Team (HLA), Country Office, and other Area Offices, devise capacity building activities tailored to meet the specific needs of partners.
• Serve as a connecting link between partners and various departments, offering comprehensive support in addressing current issues to ensure the seamless implementation of projects and foster day-to-day cooperation.
• Assess the current partnership portfolio identifying strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and risks related to current partners
• Lead and coordinate partners monitoring process at AO level.
• In coordination with Save the Children program, technical and MEAL teams, regularly meet with partners to consult on performance, organizational, and leadership matters.
• In coordination with CO Partnership Focal Point design, revise and implement an organizational development strategy tailored to different partners.
• Keep track of relevant technical, operational, finance, HR or award issues and facilitate support from relevant SC technical or operations teams to ensure continuous support and involvement at all stages of the program cycle.
• Consult with partner management on performance, organizational, and leadership matters.
• Ensure partners are represented at kick-off meetings and have an understanding of awards prior to kick-off meetings.
• Support the monitoring of outputs against activity plans and budgets and timeframes of partners to ensure program delivery meets targets
• Ensure partner review meetings are held regularly with representation from partner and relevant SC program staff to discuss progress, roles, responsibilities, expectations, communication between the organizations, any conflict of policies, any areas of concern and future planning.
• Ensure Save the Children’s partners are provided with opportunities for networking among themselves, by organising joint events to network, exchange experience and learn from each other.
• Facilitate MoUs at the area level, including all compliance related requirements and keep an updated tracker of all active/previously signed MoUs.

Capacity Strengthening of Partners

• In collaboration with the Country Office and other Area Offices, devise capacity-building activities tailored to meet the specific needs of partners.
• In collaboration with partners, Technical Advisors and the Operations team, identify partners and civil society organisations organizational and technical development needs
• Design capacity building plans for partners, in line with capacity assessments and their needs
• Support implementing partners and civil society organisations with trainings and partner organizational development plans to enhance the effectiveness of partners performance in achieving their goals and objectives
• Work closely with the partners on the implementation of the capacity building plans.
• In coordination with the MEAL team, ensure effective monitoring and evaluation on the performance of the partners progress against organizational development and capacity building deliverables as well as SCIs capacity building initiatives.
• Support, mentor and coach SCI’s partners with creating and/or improving policies and procedures.
• Highlight and refer high risk or complex issues to the Senior Management Team, including providing relevant updates during monthly area level ARM In coordination with the MEAL team identify/incorporate best practices and lessons learned into program plans.
• Provide a range of consultative services to all partners regarding organizational development and system strengthening
• Ensure that partners are well aware and providing all beneficiaries with ongoing, age-appropriate verbal or written information in relevant languages about Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct

Other

• Upon request of AO or CO leadership provide necessary data regarding partnership portfolio and partners performance

QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional qualification/University qualification in Humanities, International Development, Political Science or related areas.
• Two years’ experience working in public relations, communication or coordination roles

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Highly developed interpersonal and English communication skills, including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Having experience in collaborating with NGOs, a comprehensive understanding of the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), and knowledge of the Civil Society landscape will be advantageous.
• Experience in managing grants, contracts & sub-agreements with knowledge of major funders’ guidelines (e.g. USAID, ECHO, DFID, SIDA, UNOCHA, BPRM, BHA, NMFA, BHA etc.)
• Relevant experience managing donor-funded projects with International NGO’s particularly those addressing human/children’s rights and those applying partnership approaches.
• Strong analytical skills and strategic planning abilities. Computer literacy and excellent documentation skills are a must.
• Ability to proactively identify issues and problem-solving skills to address these.
• Ability to establish and maintain conducive collegial relations and perform effectively as a member of a team.
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
• Excellent time management and planning capacity
• Availability and willingness to work extra hours during times of humanitarian responses.