Partnership & Localization Lead, West Africa Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity At Catholic Relief Services

This post is contingent on donor funding and donor approval of the candidate.

About the West Africa Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity:

WARO is preparing a response to the RFA for the West Africa Early Recovery, Risk Reduction, and Resilience (ER4) Activity. The proposed initiative aims to strengthen the resilience of individuals, communities, institutions, and systems in Ghana and Sierra Leone to better prepare for, respond to, and recover from natural hazards and climate-induced risks while safeguarding development gains

The design promotes anticipatory actions, localization, gender equity, and social inclusion, ensuring active and equitable participation of all community members, especially women, youth, and marginalized groups. It will collaborate with local organizations and government structures to align with national priorities and strengthen governance for disaster risk management and climate adaptation at subnational and community level. Key aspects include community-led disaster risk management, climate adaptation, and capacity building at sub-national and community levels. By collaborating with local actors and integrating solutions into government policies and systems, the project will foster local ownership and establish sustainable, gender-responsive mechanisms to alleviate vulnerabilities and manage climate and disaster.

Job Summary:

The Partnerships Lead will play a crucial role in the BHA MYAPS – West Africa ER4 project, focused on building and strengthening partnerships with local organizations in Ghana and Sierra Leone. You will contribute to the project’s success by fostering collaboration, providing capacity-building support, and promoting local ownership and sustainability.

Roles and Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement capacity-strengthening plans for local partners, addressing areas such as organizational development, program management, financial management, and advocacy.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local partners, ensuring effective communication and coordination.
• Facilitate partnerships and synergies between local organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Provide technical assistance and mentoring to local partners, supporting them in meeting project objectives.
• Contribute to project monitoring and evaluation, ensuring that capacity-strengthening efforts are tracked and evaluated.
• Promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing, documenting and disseminating lessons learned and best practices.
• Contribute to project reporting, documenting capacity-strengthening activities and outcomes.

Required Languages – English

Travel – Position based in Ghana or Sierra Leone, Must be willing and able to travel up to 50%.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

• Supervisory: Directly supervises: Sr Partnership & Community Resilience Officer (2, one per country)

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Country Representative, Head of Programs, Heads of Office, Head of Operations, EMPOWER Coordinator, Empower Technical Advisers, Deputy Regional Director for Program Quality (DRD/PQ), Deputy Regional Director for Operations (DRD/Ops), and Finance Managers.

External: Local Partners, Donor representatives, government representatives (national, provincial and district levels); other stakeholders.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**:**

• Strong understanding of capacity-strengthening principles and approaches.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and training skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including local organizations, government agencies, and international organizations.
• Demonstrated commitment to local ownership and partnership principles.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively in diverse cultural contexts.

Basic Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field such as international development, social sciences, public policy, organization studies or a degree in a relevant field.
• Minimum of five years of professional experience in implementing and leading capacity strengthening programs for local organizations and partnership building in an international development or humanitarian context is required.
• Experience in managing moderately complex projects preferably with an international NGO.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience working with USAID-funded activities is preferred.
• Experience working with local organizations in complex/challenging contexts; preferably in West Africa.
• Experience in rapid response mechanisms or crisis modifiers.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality technical proposals.

Agency REDI Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

• Personal Accountability – Consistently takes responsibility for one’s own actions.
• Acts with Integrity – Consistently models values aligned with CRS Guiding Principles and mission. Is considered honest.
• Builds and Maintains Trust – Shows consistency between words and actions.
• Collaborates with Others – Works effectively in intercultural and diverse teams.
• Open to Learn – Seeks out experiences that may change perspective or provide an opportunity to learn new things.

Agency Leadership Competencies:

• Lead Change – Continually looks for ways to improve the agency through a culture of agility, openness, and innovation.
• Develops and Recognizes Others – Builds the capacity of staff to reach their full potential and enhance team and agency performance.
• Strategic Mindset – Understands role in translating, communicating, and implementing agency strategy and team priorities.