An experienced Partnership Manager to lead the implementation of the NRC Moldova partnership strategy that contributes to programme sustainability and high-quality programmes. The Partnership Manager will focus on implementing the Country Programme partnership strategy in line with the global Policy on Partnerships with Local actors and the Local Actor Partnership Handbook, contextualized to the Ukraine response context.

What you will do:

Partnership Unit Management:

• Ensure compliance with NRC Moldova’s Partnership Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and tools, based on Lessons Learnt and feedback, and adaptation as needed.
• Ensure a coordinated approach from all NRC staff across all departments (support, programme, HSS, advocacy) in engaging with partners. 
• Liaise with programme teams to support strategic thinking around partnership and landscape mapping and deliver on the identification, screening and contract management of partners. 
• Build a network of key partners and stakeholders, keeping abreast of evolving trends (social, economic, and political), including the application of innovation to partnership and project development.
• Proactively solve conflicts and address issues and misunderstandings that could occur between NRC and various partners.
• Conduct field visits to partner activities and provide coaching and mentoring when possible and relevant.
• Develop and maintain effective and positive working relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Lead on the design and implementation localisation initiatives on capacity strengthening utilising internal NRC capacities, outsourced technical capacities and partner led capacity interventions. 
• Support with the implementation of partner-specific aspects of NRC Moldova’s Safe & Inclusive Programming Action Plan
• Ensure adherence to NRC’s Safe & Inclusive Programming Minimum Standards.

Project Implementation Agreement (PIA) management:

• Collaborate with the partnership team to ensure that donor requirements/procedures are reflected in the PIAs and modification requests.
• Support in negotiating new projects and programs with partners, including coordinating technical and financial requirements in line with donors.
• Supervise or directly draft partnership agreements and/or contractual documents required for the signature and implementation of new projects.
• Work actively with the protection, accountability, grants, and compliance units to ensure strong mainstreaming of core NRC principles across operational partners.
• Provide technical support to partners, particularly on M&E, PIA(/grants) management issues and financial management and compliance.
• Ensure the adherence of the intervention with NRC’s project cycle management approach.

Capacity sharing:

• Oversee capacity-sharing activities aiming at ensuring smooth implementation of the partnership agreements, but also at supporting the overall development of the NGO partner.
• Oversee the implementation of relevant localization and capacity strengthening initiatives in accordance with the project plan and develop a countrywide capacity strengthening annual plan
• Supervise the monitoring of partner learning progress and the application of the transferred knowledge, identifying and reporting challenges and achievements.
• Assess the partner NGO’s priority needs in terms of capacity development. 
• Design agenda, facilitate and oversee the implementation of partner interface meetings as part of larger partner networking and peer to peer mechanism 
• Actively integrate partner feedback into tools and guidance and ensure strong mutual learning between NRC and its partners. 
• Building internal staff capacities on enhancing knowledge, skills and behavioural traits required to work with partners.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position. 

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related area. Master’s degree preferred but not mandatory
• Minimum 2 years of experience with NGO and/or international organisation with grants management or partnership-related duties
• Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities
• Ability to coordinate tasks and work processes and work with short deadlines
• Diplomacy and facilitation skills are essential
• Knowledge of the Ukrainian refugee context in neighbouring countries is an asset
• Excellent training and facilitation skills
• Excellent coordination, communication (verbal and written) and networking skills
• Fluency in English, Romanian and/or Russian (speaking, reading, writing)
• Experience working with national and local civil society organizations
• Experience designing and implementing social programmes with various stakeholders 
• Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook

What we offer:

• Duty station: Chisinau, Republic of Moldova
• Contract: 12 months 
• Travel: 20%. 
• Salary/benefits: grade 9 on NRC’s national salary scale, with accompanying terms and conditions
• NRC is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to diversity without distinction to age, gender, religion, ethnicity, nationality, and physical ability.
• We think outside the box, encourage ideas, and give responsibility to all employees at all levels. You will have many opportunities to be heard and take the initiative.

Find out more about the benefits of working for NRC

Why NRC?

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee. Our 15,000 staff work in crises across 40 countries, providing life-saving and long-term assistance to millions of people every year.

Watch this short video to see NRC in action.

We are looking for people who are passionate about helping refugees and people forced to flee. Are you one of those people? If you are, NRC offers you the opportunity to:

• do demanding and professional work, often in challenging contexts.
• join a work culture that empowers every employee to share ideas and take responsibility.
• be part of a welcoming and supportive community committed to human dignity.

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