Strategic Partnerships and Quality Assurance Officer

The Strategic Partnerships and Quality Assurance Officer is responsible for maintaining the PMER, as well as the SEP frameworks for the operationalization of the PPP Project, working in close coordination with the IFRC Central Asia PMER Officer and support further developing and ensuring quality PMER and SEP systems and processes for the effective delivery of the PPP Project in Europe.  This role provides direct technical advice and guidance to operational leadership and to technical programme managers in all areas of SEP and PMER.

The SEP Officer may also support strengthening SEP capacities of Central Asia Country Cluster, ensuring the development of core competencies in SEP and support with related tasks. 

Largely as part of the implementation of the Federation Wide Resource Mobilisation Strategy, to provide required support to the relevant Heads of Country Cluster Offices involved the PPP impetration in Europe. Contribute to the development and implementation of Central Asia Resource Mobilisation (RM) strategies through identifying, developing, managing and coordinating resource mobilization opportunities for IFRC Secretariat supported programmes. Ensure best practice implementation in PMER.

PPP Grant Management

In close coordination with the relevant relationship managers the SEP Officer will:

• Ensure that relevant internal stakeholders (technical departments in Geneva and ROE) and the Membership (HNSs and EUNSs) receiving or providing international assistance under PPP are consulted in the formulation of the strategies.
• Work closely with the regional SEP teams by monitoring the effective stewardship of PPP funds in line with partner expectations related to implementation, reporting and visibility. Monitor progress and performance towards deliverables, identify risks and inform management of actions to be taken to mitigate risks.
• Plan, convene and coordinate meetings with assigned focal persons from finance, audit, PMER and communication units to ensure collaborative review and shared understanding of the PPP.
• Contribute to the negotiation of modifications and re-negotiations of agreements with ECHO.
• Participate and/or lead where relevant, in evaluations, assessments, reviews and/or audits to ensure IFRC systems are properly taken into account and partner requirements are successfully met.
• Provide support to the governance of the PPP, by organising and attending relevant meetings.
• Provide ad-hoc support to the SEP team on donor stewardship and related administrative tasks.
• Support the SEP team in carrying out systemic partnership calls including: the coordination of inputs from ROE units, ensuring timely communication with key stakeholders, preparing briefing notes and presentations, preparing regular updates among others.
• Carry out other Resource mobilization task as and when required.

PMER and Learning

• Under the guidance and in close coordination with the relevant IFRC PMER focal points (PMER senior officer or equivalent) the incumbent will fulfil the below activities related to the PPP initiative, ensuring that PMER-related efforts are aligned and feed into other efforts in the given Country or Country Cluster.
• Serve as a primary contact point for the region towards the Global PPP PMER focal point
• Support National Societies engaged in the PPP initiative in the efficient and effective quality control and delivery of reporting
• Set up systems and guidance to coordinate and support the development of quality plans related to the PPP as needed.
• Assist with the development and implementation of monitoring tools and activities to capture and provide reliable and timely monitoring data to inform quality programming as needed
• Support the IFRC Cluster/country PMER focal point in PMER capacity building efforts
• Support any necessary surveys, such as baseline surveys, reviews, evaluations or lesson learning exercises or other relevant studies, in response to requirements in the PPP framework.
• Ensure that learning from all monitoring, reviews or evaluations in accessible and relevant, and can be used to inform operational decision-making and the direction of the operation.

Required:

• University degree in relevant discipline (e.g. International Relations, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Marketing)

Preferred:

• Graduate degree in a relevant humanitarian or Social Sciences, ideally studies relating to data management, statistics etc.

Required:

• Experience of developing proposals and ensuring strong communication from start to end of relationship
• Experience in drafting agreements, pledge management and income processing
• Experience in partnering with development banks (World Bank and regional ones), specialised funds (e.g.: Global Fund, GAVI, GCF), UN agencies, and EC. 
• Proven track record in multilateral partnerships, and in achieving results by raising public sector funds
• Experience managing partner and resource development relations in a context of humanitarian and/or development programmes

Preferred:

• 3 years’ experience working for the RCRC Movement or civil society sector
• 3 years’ experience working in planning, monitoring or reporting fields
• Experience working in an emergency response context
• Background in data collection, management, analysis and presentation methods and tools, and ability to set up systems and procedures for reliable data collection and management
• Experience in organizing partnership calls, events, conferences or meetings
• Work experience with other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies
• Experience of working in Europe and/or Central Asia

Required:

• Strong analytical and written skills, including report writing and presentation skills
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate funding agreements, to structure financial instruments, and to navigate complex funding mechanisms
• Experience in communicating with high level partners and successfully navigating multilateral and IFI partner decision-making processes, funding instruments and requirements
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills contributing to a client-focused culture. Ability to be proactive and persuasive
• Fluently spoken and written English and Russian

Preferred:

• Skills in supporting organizational learning, accountability and performance
• Knowledge and skills around results-based planning (logframe) and setting up robust planning systems for complex programmes
• Advanced knowledge of multilateral and international financial institutions (IFI) landscapes, priorities, policies, and financing instruments supporting humanitarian action and the attainment of the SDGs
• Good command of another IFRC official language (French, Spanish or Arabic)

Values: Respect for diversity; Integrity; Professionalism; Accountability

Core competencies: Communication; Collaboration and teamwork; Judgement and decision making; National society and customer relations; Creativity and innovation; Building trust