Partnership Officer

Job Description

*** PLEASE NOTE THAT THE RESUME MUST BE in ENGLISH***
***PLEASE NOTE THAT THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS 06 Jan. 2024***

About INTERSOS:

INTERSOS is a humanitarian organization on the front line of emergencies, bringing assistance to victims of armed conflicts, natural disasters, and extreme exclusion with particular attention to the protection of the most vulnerable people. Since 1992 our humanitarian workers have been helping people affected by humanitarian crises: we provide first aid, food, shelter, medical assistance, and basic goods. We ensure that basic needs, such as education, access to clean water, and health assistance are met.

INTERSOS in Iran:

Following the Taliban retaking power in Afghanistan in August 2021, which has created a sudden high influx of Afghan nationals in Iran, INTERSOS decided to assess opportunities to establish its presence in Iran. INTERSOS obtained approval from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for the establishment of its presence in Tehran - Iran in November 2021 and started conducting its joint activities in June 2022. INTERSOS activities in Iran mainly focus on the health/medical sector and how to support the existing health system in coping with the high number of new refugees and its impacts on local Iranians. In addition, some social activities around people with disabilities and children were linked to medical activities.

Responsibilities:

• Review, upgrade, and lead the implementation of the INTERSOS partnership strategy in Iran, using the INTERSOS; localization paper and partnership principles as a base of work, including the specificities of the Iranian context.
• Work across INTERSOS departments to develop systems and policies that are supportive of the Partnership Strategy of INTERSOS Iran mission and ensure periodic review once they are in place.
• Define a standard framework of roles and responsibilities among various INTERSOS departments and with partners for effective communication and engagement.
• Support the consolidation of the INTERSOS global Localisation Strategy from the Iran experience.
• Support the mission in developing systematic approaches to selecting partners, and in identifying and pursuing strategic partnerships.
• Undertake the review and use of the initial risk and capacity assessment of the partners.
• Help ensure partners; involved in strategic planning, program design, and proposal/concept paper development. With the support of the INTERSOS liaison and partnership manager, pursue and develop strategic collaborations with local partners to jointly identify (with the program department) new humanitarian needs and opportunities in Iran. In collaboration with the liaison and partnership manager and relevant INTERSOS departments, draw up annual partnership agreements framework including budget tables.
• Participate in any partnership working groups and discussions that will support the development and operationalization of the partnership strategy, minimizing the risk of duplicating capacity-strengthening efforts.
• Stay abreast of current trends in partnership modalities in Iran and share learning with the liaison and partnership manager, INTERSOS Head of Mission, and other colleagues (as well as linking with the INTERSOS Localisation Advisor when recommended).
• Work with the INTERSOS Iran team to ensure that partnership tools and financial standards meet internal and donor requirements and advocate internally for adaptation and flexibility, as needed.
• Develop with the local NGO partners the bi-yearly and/or yearly budgets, ensure the timely payment of partner installments, review the financial reports submitted (confirm the eligibility of expenses vs. budgets agreed) before submitting to INTERSOS finance department for final review, payment, and the close-out of partners; sub-grants.
• Organize yearly external financial audits for INTERSOS Iran mission local NGO partners. In collaboration with the INTERSOS program department and MEAL manager, support our local NGO partners in the definition, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the activities, according to INTERSOS project documents and in line with the mission strategy, standards, and protocols.
• Organize monthly partner review meetings with representation from partner and relevant INTERSOS operations and program staff to discuss progress, roles, responsibilities, expectations, communication between the organizations, any conflict of policies, any areas of concern, and future planning.
• Establish and maintain a partnership database that maps out partner capacity, influence, and strategic alignment.
• Analyze results of ongoing partnerships, remote management, and results on the ground to produce lessons learned and inform strategic decision-making. Promote relationships of mutual respect and learning with partners and guide relevant staff on balancing between holding partners accountable and providing necessary support.
• Establish and orient staff and partners on principles of partnership and partnership management; facilitate onboarding of new partners; build the capacity of INTERSOS staff to effectively work with partners.
• Develop, with the support of the liaison and partnership manager; a capacity-strengthening action plan for/with local NGO partners (HR, Finance, logistics, and administrative matters).
• Assist partner in strategizing ways to ensure program delivery meets targets and to support their organizational development towards operating as fully fledged NGOs.
• Convene project/grant opening meetings with partners when new grants are awarded, involving INTERSOS program and support services colleagues as needed.
• Develop a system for accountability towards partners (including monitoring outputs against activity plans, budgets, and timeframes agreed) where INTERSOS regularly seeks partner feedback on its strategies and plans. Keep track of relevant technical, operational, finance, HR, or grants issues to ensure continuous support and involvement at all stages of the program cycle + draw lesson-learned documents every 6 months.
• Conduct periodic internal partnership audits to check on the consistent application of core partnership strategy across projects and programs.
• Accompany local NGO partners and INTERSOS staff to the field for supervision and monitoring of the implementation of the activities.
• Ensure support to local partners for logistics and preparation for field missions, including letter of permissions, agenda of meetings, accommodation, transportation, etc.
• Facilitate translation of all documents circulating between local NGO partners and INTERSOS.