Partnership Adviser – Ukraine At Concern Worldwide

Country/Context background: Alliance2015 members, Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe (WHH), have been jointly working together in Ukraine since February 2022, using their combined resources and reach, to ensure a quick and effective emergency response to assist the population affected by the conflict.

This response, known as JERU (Joint Emergency Response in Ukraine), is working across Ukraine to help internally displaced people (IDPs), returnees and vulnerable host community members through multipurpose cash assistance, in-kind food and NFI assistance, protection services and support for livelihoods. JERU implements a significant proportion of its programme in partnership with local and national NGOs and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

About the Role: It is envisaged that this role will run until end of December 2025 on an unaccompanied basis and will be based in Kiev, Ukraine, with regular travel around the programme areas in Sumy, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv, Dnipro, Zapharizia, Khmelnitsky and Turnopil. The Salary for this role is based on Grade 4 (€45,457 – €50,509).

The Partnership Adviser reports to the Programme Director. They will provide technical support and guidance to the Partnership Officers who are based in our sub offices, located in Sumy, Poltava, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Khmelnitsky, who in turn are the day-to-day focal points for our implementing partners in our specific locations of intervention.

Your Purpose: The Partnerships Adviser manages JERU’s partner portfolio and relations with existing, new, and future partner organisations in Ukraine in coordination with the focal points in each department. The Partnerships Adviser will also play a key role in identifying and assessing new organisations and following up on specific support actions with relevant departments.

You will be responsible for:

Strategy and Planning

• Implement the national partnership strategy, in consideration of the different types of organisations (CBOs, CSOs, NGOs, volunteer groups, municipalities, private collective centres, etc.) involved in humanitarian assistance in Ukraine, under the supervision of the Programme Director and lead any review process
• Identify and design a remote partner monitoring system in coordination with the MEAL Adviser and relevant departments (operations, finance, programmes)
• Support partners to prepare concept notes, project proposals and budgets according to the programme design and donors’ call for proposals
• Work with and coordinate JERU partners’ global advisers on approaches to the sub-grant relationship in the Ukraine context

Identification, Contracting and Compliance

• Expand JERU’s national partnership portfolio in Ukraine by identifying potential partners, and conducting capacity assessments of them under the supervision of the Programme Director and in coordination with the Area Managers
• Develop and implement partner capacity-building schemes for each partner identified with the support of relevant departments (operations, finance, programmes)
• Coordinate negotiations and establishment of sub-grants and contracts in consultation with Programme Director, Country Director and relevant programme team
• Ensure partners understand JERU/donor guidelines and policies, and that these are adhered to at all times, including the partners’ obligation to immediately report any suspected non-compliance
• In coordination with relevant heads of department, oversee partner compliance requirements and provide support on corrective measures
• Actively archive all necessary partner information appropriately
• manage Partnership Officers in area locations to ensure partner are provided with high quality support outside of direct project implementation

Programme Implementation

• Act as the primary JERU focal point for coordination and communication with partners
• Advise partners on project start-up activities including, but not limited to, staff recruitments, developing detailed implementation, financial, and procurement plans, reporting templates, field data requirements, information management, etc.
• Support and guide the Head of Projects and the project team to do a regular follow-ups and have effective communication with partners on project implementation
• Provide technical support and guidance to the partnership Officers in area locations to ensure partner are provided with high quality support outside of direct project implementation
• Provide technical and guidance to the Head of Projects managing the dedicated Strategic Partnership Project, to ensure quality implementation and shared learning of outcomes and impacts

Representation

• Represent JERU in meetings relevant to the role in external coordination meetings.
• Support and promote the standards outlined in the Concern Code of Conduct and associated policies to teams and beneficiaries and be committed to providing a safe working environment.

Skills and Experience Required:

• At least three years managing grants for national or international NGOs or in similar partnership advisory/management roles with national or international NGOs
• Practical experience in developing relationships with a variety of stakeholders in supporting a partner-based approach to programme implementation
• Experience in Eastern Europe is an advantage
• Bachelor’s degree in humanitarian action, development studies, political sciences, sociology or relevant disciplines
• Experience in proposal and report writing.
• Proven influencing and negotiating skills with internal and external audiences.
• English is essential, and knowledge of Ukrainian highly desirable
• Must be willing and able to live and travel in an insecure environment
• Ability to work independently in a systematic and organised manner
• Ability to work as a team player with a can-do attitude
• Commitment to beneficiary accountability and the humanitarian principles
• Ability to give attention to details
• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines
• Ability to organise and prioritise workload, using initiative when appropriate.
• Ability to cope with stress; work under pressure often to strict deadlines.
• Strong facilitation and interpersonal skills.