Programme Support Specialist-Partnerships

Vacancy Announcement

The Danish Refugee Council / Danish Demining Group (DRC/DDG) assists refugees and internally displaced persons across the globe: we provide emergency aid, fight for their rights, and strengthen their opportunity for a brighter future. We work in conflict-affected areas, along the displacement routes, and in the countries where refugees settle. In cooperation with local communities, we strive for responsible and sustainable solutions. We work toward successful integration and – whenever possible – for the fulfilment of the wish to return home. In Myanmar, DRC has been present since 2009, and since June 2012 broadened its presence via the Danish Demining Group (DDG) - DRC’s division for Mine Action. DRC/DDG is currently engaged in responses in Rakhine, Kachin, and Northern Shan states. Our response targets displaced, and displacement affected communities and other vulnerable communities in some of the most deprived areas of Myanmar. Key activities include protection (including Child Protection, GBV and Protection Monitoring), CCCM, WASH, Livelihoods and mine action.

To support and strengthen the DRC / DDG programme in Myanmar we are looking for highly motivated and capable candidates to fill the position of

Programme Support Specialist-Partnerships (1 Post)

Duty Station                       : Yangon (with 50% frequently travel to field offices)

Reporting to                       : Programme Support Manager-Partnerships

Report for                           : No direct reports

Overall purpose of the role:

DRC Myanmar is looking for an experienced Partnerships Specialist who will act as the focal point for DRC Partnerships sub-granting management in Myanmar. In this capacity, the Partnerships Specialist will support managing partners’ sub-grants, assist in the provision of technical guidance, liaison with different departments including Finance, Procurement, grants and MEAL to ensure compliance under sub-granting, proper reporting and representation with partners and relevant stakeholders, as well as support technical and field staff in developing the capacity of the partners to deliver high quality programs.

The Partnerships specialist will act as focal point with DRC area offices, DRC support departments and partners and will ensure high quality sub-grants management, design, kick-off, implementation, monitoring and close-outs.

The Partnerships Specialist will report to the Partnerships Manager and will be based in Yangon country office with 50% travel to other DRC offices.

Main Responsibilities

Pre sub-award management:

• Participate and support in partners mapping, vetting and capacity assessments. Support the mapping and ensure that there is an updated mapping list and pre-vetted partners lists on the State and national levels (national and local CSOs, etc) and under each department;
• Manage the administration of pre-award due diligence, including liaison with program and support units and ensure departments participation in vetting process with potential partners;
• Act as focal point for the design of partners sub-grant agreements, including conducting project design workshops, liaison with different DRC program and support departments to collect inputs on partners’ proposals, budgets, log-frames, procurement plans and workplans, and work collaboratively with partners to finalize their project designs;
• Support in managing partners’ grant opening meetings, grant reviews meetings and grant closing meetings, in coordination with program and support units to ensure sub-grants are designed in accordance with DRC and donors’ rules and regulations;
• Coordinate partners’ inductions with different department on programmatic, technical and compliance aspects, and lead inductions on partnerships sub-grant management, tools and reporting.

Sub-Award Management:

• Oversee the implementation of the current DRC Partnership sub-grant agreements, in coordination with area-based focal points, making sure partners and DRC partnerships focal points follow their programmatic and financial obligations;
• Oversee DRC partners PCM including support in managing Sub-grant agreements and related Project Cycle Management with partners (agreements, reports, qualitative analysis of achievements versus target, monitoring, evaluation etc…);
• Work in close coordination with the Partnerships Manager to support continuous quality improvement through the development and the implementation of partnerships tools, coaching tools and tailoring the partnerships approaches to the context in each area;
• Review and analyse implementing partners’ quantitative and qualitative periodic reports in line with Partnership agreements, ensure that implementing partners’ reports are submitted on time and in line with Partnership agreements and support in providing any necessary follow-up on reporting and Monitoring and Evaluation issues;
• Act as Partnerships focal point with MEAL, Finance and Supply Chain for sub-granting management;
• Act as focal to collect, track and file all partners’ program deliverables, ensure compiling internal feedback from DRC program and support units and ensure proper achievement for all sub-granting related documentation.
• Coordinate with Grants, Finance and area-based teams on facilitating the partner payments as per agreed terms

Partners and staff development:

• Act as compliance and safeguarding focal point with partners, and ensure training and supporting partners in meeting safeguarding minimum requirements, being trained on risk assessment and reporting following DRC partners existing tools;
• Train and coach partners and DRC teams on the use of DRC sub-granting tools and SOPs, in addition to contributing to partner and staff capacity development through training, coaching, exchange, shadowing etc…
• Work closely with Partnerships team and DRC area-based partnerships focal points to ensure the systemization of best practices and lessons learnt across DRC teams and partners in different geographical locations.

External coordination and representation

• Participate in relevant coordination meetings and working groups, as required under the partnerships sub-granting portfolio.
• Work closely with other DRC sectors to ensure close collaboration, proper consultation and feedback collection on the work under partnerships sub-grants portfolio;
• Proactively represent DRC and participate in regular program meetings and in Civil Society coordination platforms and provide updates as appropriate.

*Perform any other relevant tasks as requested by the Patnerships Coordinator and /or Head of Programs.

Qualifications and minimum requirements:

• At least 3  years of experience with international humanitarian programmes;
• At least 3 years of experience in working with Civil society organizations and community-based organizations;
• Relevant previous experience in sub-grant management;
• Commitment to empower Civil Society organizations and promote local ownership and respect to meaningful partnerships principles;
• Commitment to apply in-country, regional and global learning on partnerships practices when managing sub-grants with partners;
• Commitment to spend time and efforts to contribute to strengthening partners’ capacity;
• Solid experience in participatory approaches and facilitation skills, strong interpersonal communication and writing skills;
• Experience in conducting consultation processes with civil society and national NGOs is an asset;
• Experience in designing partners capacity development plans is an asset.

Education: (include certificates, licenses etc.)

• Degree in relevant area

Languages: (indicate fluency level)

• Professional fluency in English and Myanmar. Good understanding of any of the local languages will be considered an asset.

Key stakeholders: (internal and external)

• DRC partners and Civil society actors.
• DRC area offices teams.
• DRC finance, supply chain, grants and MEAL units.

All DRC roles require the post-holder to master DRC’s core competencies:  

• Striving for excellence: Focusing on reaching results while ensuring efficient processes.  
• Collaborating: Involving relevant parties and encouraging feedback.  
• Taking the lead: Taking ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation.  
• Communicating: Listening and speaking effectively and honestly.  
• Demonstrating integrity: Upholding and promoting the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to DRC’s values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

Offer:

• Starting date of employment: November 2021
• Competitive salary among non-governmental organisation
• Contract: 1 year (including a probation period 3 months) and the possibility for extension based on performance and project funding.

This position is open for Myanmar Nationals only. DRC strongly advocates for equal opportunity and promotes a diversified and inspiring working environment. Therefore, qualified candidates of ethnic minorities and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application process:

Applicants who meet the above-mentioned requirements should apply by submitting their applications in English (consisting of Cover Letter and CV of no more than 4 pages, including contact details of 3 professional references) and CV only applications will not be considered. Apply button.

• Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a written test in English and a face to face interview.
• After the closing date, applications are not to be considered.

Deadline for submission of applications: 22-Sept-2021