Senior Officer, Local Partnership - LEARN

Job Title Senior Officer, Local Partnership - LEARN Location Kenya - KE (Primary)
United States - , US
Category US Programs Date Needed By 3/1/2024 Program Description (Background) Job Description

PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The Local Engagement and Response Network (LEARN): Strengthening Localized Multi-sectoral Readiness and Response to Infectious Disease Outbreaks in Humanitarian Settings (LEARN) project, is a capacity building project of LNNGOs, to improve the capacity of local first responders, by establishing and supporting networks of representative of all sectors; and working to contextualize, localize, and strengthen their capacity to respond to infectious diseases outbreak and emergencies. The project aims to (i) support LNNGOs as they engage and coordinate with critical ID coordination platforms and public health institutions; (ii) improve LNNGO readiness and multi-sectoral response to ID outbreaks; and (iii) improve LNNGO ability to ensure the capacity of community-based structures and workforces are strengthened, so that there will be an overall improvement in the timeliness, reach, and coverage of readiness and multi-sectoral responses to ID outbreaks of epidemic or pandemic potential in humanitarian settings. The project will target 80 L/NNGOs across 14 countries in sub-Saharan Africa and MENA.

JOB SUMMARY
The Senior Officer, Local Partnership Coordination plays a role in strengthening International Medical Corps’ relationship with important government and local partners. The incumbent works in close collaboration with the LEARN Management Team and the Regional Team to effect good management, development, supervision, and support of the LEARN Program. The Senior Officer manages and fosters International Medical Corps' relationships and partnerships. Additionally, this position represents and advocates for International Medical Corps' programs to partners and stakeholders in the international development community. 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
• Communicate with humanitarian action coordination networks and seek to form partnership relationships with them.
• Coordinating the preparation of the LNNGOs capabilities questionnaire in coordination with the various departments in the institution
• Leading and preparing partnership documents and updating them regularly (quarterly) in coordination with the concerned departments.
• Maintain a database of all potential or current partners, actively updating it with new information as necessary.
• Research and map out new partners in the region. 
• Representing the organization in general meetings and introducing external parties to the organization and its work.
• Planning, developing, supporting, and attending regular partnership coordination meetings to ensure successful program implementation.
• Participate in LEARN’s project kick-off meetings with the selected LNNGOs and monthly and quarterly LEARN project management meetings.
• Assist LEARN staff and partners with understanding of required policies and procedures as per the requirements of the donors and best practices (procurement, financial reporting, child safeguarding, etc.)
• Have a thorough understanding of the mission and regional contexts. 
• Maintain substantial relationships with key partners. 
• Represent International Medical Corps at conferences, meetings, events, etc. 
• Raise the profile of International Medical Corps, its work and country missions through active identification and/or participation in forums, conferences, workshops, outreach events, and communication opportunities, including recommending opportunities for leadership representation. 
• Document all contacts and related data to the partners.
• Work with members of other International Medical Corps departments who are not assigned to the Regional Team but who provide programming, logistical, legal, security, human resource and communication oversight, input and/or supervision as needed. 
• Manage timely and proper reports (internal, financial, donor, special and other) and their flow including as needed review, analysis, and compliance with deadlines. 
• Act as liaison for the LEARN program with the partners and LNNGOs advocating for the needs on the ground and proposed projects.
• Remain up to date on key partner and LNNGO priorities and interests, ensuring that LEARN project strategies align with the partner’s requirements. 

Program Management 
• Support ongoing LEARN project initiatives including appropriate response to context changes, mission, program, and beneficiary needs, donor positioning, lessons learned, and best practices. 
• Facilitate compliance with internal and external regulations (referencing internal audit quarterly reports), all applicable laws, and contractual obligations, in consultation with Legal. 
• Facilitate timely and adequate cooperation with GCM and Finance regarding review and approval of agreements (MOUs, contracts, etc.). 
• Support field team with, in consultation with GCM and Finance, sub partner relationships, including subcontract management and review/approval of sub reports. 
• Coordinate with program teams on proposal development, donor communication, and budget review to meet donor’s requirements before submission.

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all inclusive.

Job Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in the humanitarian sector/with NGOs, with at least 3 years of experience in partnerships
• Good skills and experience in all aspects of program cycle management - design and development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation
• Experience in organizational capacity development, training, mentoring, and coaching
• Proven experience in field-level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically.
• An excellent team player with good skills in teamwork and a consultative approach to decision making.
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written, including a good track record of report writing
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact, and diplomacy
• Full professional proficiency in English, both spoken and written; professional proficiency in Arabic is a plus.
• The capacity and willingness to be extremely flexible and accommodating in difficult and sometimes insecure working circumstances.
• Commitment to the values, mission, and principles of SDI
• Typically, a bachelor’s degree in public health, Social Work, International Relations, Business Administration, International Development. An equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate. 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from management and field programs. 
• Outstanding organizational skills. 
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written. 
• Excellent self-motivation skills. 
• Experience in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, and the ability to deal with a broad spectrum of people. 
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently. 
• Excellent ability to handle multiple tasks in a fast paced and constantly changing environment. 
• Be flexible and possess the ability to cope in stressful situations. 
• Be creative and possess the ability to work with limited resources. 
• Strong analytical and research skills. 
• Ability to assess field program needs. 
• 75% of travel required.

Additional Technical or Language Requirements English Speaking.

Code of Conduct

As applicable to this position, an individual must promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout the organization and maintain a clear understanding of International Medical Corps’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Staff are also responsible for preventing violations to our Code of Conduct and Ethics, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any violations to the Code of Conduct and Ethics or Safeguarding Policy, you have an obligation to report. If this is a supervisory position, one must set an example of ethical behavior through one’s own conduct and oversight of the work of others; ensure that those who report to you have sufficient knowledge and resources to follow the standards outlined in the Code of Conduct & Ethics; monitor compliance of the people you supervise; enforce the Code of Conduct & Ethics and International Medical Corps’ policies, including the Safeguarding Policy and the Protection from Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Misconduct in the Workplace Policy, consistently and fairly; support employees who in good faith raise questions or concerns.

Safeguarding

It is all staff shared responsibility and obligation to safeguard and protect populations with whom we work, including adults who may be particularly vulnerable and children. This includes safeguarding from the following conduct by our staff or partners: sexual exploitation and abuse; exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children, adults at risk, or LGBTI individuals; and any form of trafficking in persons.

Equal Opportunities

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.