JOB OPPORTUNITYInternal/ExternalReference No:  REC/65/23Job title:           Partnership and Localization AdvisorLocation:          Addis Ababa, Head Office with Frequent 50% travel to the field locationsReports to:Programmes DirectorNumber of Posts1 (One)Closing date:   August 07,2023

About GOAL

‘If we engage communities, build on their systems in which they live and work, then poor and vulnerable households will achieve resilient well-being.Source: GOAL’s theory of change

GOAL’s mission is to work with the most vulnerable communities to help them respond to and recover from humanitarian crises, and to assist them to build transcendent solutions to mitigate poverty and vulnerability.

GOAL is a non-for profit organization that has been working in Ethiopia for over 30 years across all the region of the country towards ensuring the poorest and most vulnerable in our world and those affected by humanitarian crises have access to the fundamental rights of life, including but not limited to adequate shelter, food and livelihoods, water and sanitation, nutrition, healthcare and education. GOAL implements a range of multi-sectoral development, resilience, recovery and humanitarian responses Programmes by being sensitive to cross-cutting issues including gender, accountably, child protection, HIV/AIDS.

We envision a world where poverty no longer exist, where vulnerable communities are resilient, where barriers to wellbeing are removed and where everyone has equal rights and  opportunities. GOAL Ethiopia’s main donors are Irish Aid, USAID/OFDA, EHF, ECHO and other private donors.

About the Position:

GOAL is implementing a wide range of both humanitarian and development programs with partners across the country.  We work with UN agencies, donors, the government, international and local organizations, research centers, academic institutions, private companies, networks, and media agencies. Our partners are diverse in type, capacity, technical expertise, and geographic focus.  Besides, localization is one of the vehicles to achieve the country's strategic plan, and shifting power to communities, children, and local and national actors is one of the enabling factors to achieve our ambition. Therefore, the objective for the position is to support the operationalization of GOAL partnership and localization ambitions through technical support and strategic guidance to the country office, with a view to developing relevant structures and competitive programming that ensure an effective partnership and localization approach and enables GOAL to shift some of its fundraising in support hereof.

The position holder will play a critical role in turning the country strategic plan in-terms of partnership and localization ambition and responsible for programmatic aspects of partnership management cycle across the country office. The incumbent is responsible for overseeing partners’ selection and partnership development, capacity assessment and capacity sharing of partners, conduct joint monitoring.  H/she is responsible for the development and roll out of partnership specific standards, compliance, and guidelines to relevant stakeholders. In general, the position holder plays coordination and facilitation roles across thematic, finance, programs, grant, compliance, Child Safeguarding, and other key functions to ensure implementation of GOAL Ethiopia internal policies and standards on partnership and localization management. H/she will be an experienced and entrepreneurial generalist within depth understanding of partnership and localization management with a proven track record.

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 6 years demonstrable experience in similar advisory or operational roles in international humanitarian and/or development organisations, preferably in a mix of country and at senior level.

You should have demonstrable experience developing, raising funds for, and overseeing programming that empowers local actors to be better engaged in the planning, delivery, and accountability of humanitarian action, with a main focus on local civil society organisations, but not excluding other actors relevant to localization of aid (namely local and national duty bearers as well as the private sector).  We also expect you to have substantial experience working with local partners, a strong understanding of the compliance-aspects of partnering and experience with the development of tools and approaches to enable the implementation of localized programming. An excellent understanding on global discourse on the localization agenda is also required. Experience with rolling out organizational change processes and documenting learning is highly desirable.

Key Areas of Accountability/Duties

Programme

Ø  Serve as an active representative for GOAL in exploring partnerships with interested and like-minded organizations, individuals, companies, institutions, and others to coordinate with our internal policies and procedures.

Ø  Support the strategic direction of partnership and localization ambitions, with a special focus on but not limited to supporting the development of partnership and localization roadmaps and strategic plans at the country level.

Ø  Responsible for the development and implementation of the Country Office Partnership and Localization Strategy.

Ø   Hold the partners accountable for the contractual commitments between them and GOAL ETHIOPIA.

Ø  Ensure the technical and operational capacity of our implementing partners are enhanced.

Ø  Ensure strong and vibrant local Civil Society Organisations are developed through our support in the areas we are implementing programs.

Ø  Work with external agencies to understand the contexts in which partners work and provide support in providing strategic guidance to the organization. Ensuring standards for partnership establishment and technical development.

Ø  Engage in the mapping of partnerships and localization champions such as the UN, local and national governments, the private sector, and academia. Coordinate and support ownership of the partnership selection and development systems, processes, and procedures.

Ø   Lead the process to design and implement good processes and criteria for scoping, selection, and assessment of potential partners in coordination with other relevant functions.

Ø  Develop a partner engagement plan together (including joint project design where possible) and consult with partners and GE staff.

Ø  Facilitate regular dialogue, review meetings, and regular joint visits by providing or recording constructive feedback and information sharing with partners, including government, non-government, research, academics, and other types of partners.

Ø   Ensure best practices from partners or GOAL projects are shared to ensure a high quality of implementation. Actively participate and contribute towards an exchange of knowledge and learning with partners. Engage local networks, partners, and stakeholders in systematic discussions and learning loops.

Ø   Provide technical, programmatic, and operational advice to develop and mainstream a localized approach to programming in key GOAL operations.

Ø  Coordinate with the sector lead on a regular basis to track the progress of the main activities under partnership and Localization.

Ø  Participate in the national and in-house partnership and localization working groups to create awareness about Localization and advocate to advance the agenda.

Ø  Represent GOAL in various organizations and forums mainly related to partnerships, the civil society sector, and/or charities.

Ø   Work with the area offices to understand the current partnership and localization practices and provide hands-on technical support.

Technical advice and support to program development

Ø  Provide technical, programmatic, and operational advice to develop and mainstream a localized approach to programming in key GOAL operations.

Ø   Support the development of country-level structures that enable localization ambitions.

Ø  Collaborate closely with country level support staff to ensure a localized approach is embedded in support functions.

Ø  Contribute  to  scoping  for  new  programmatic  and  funding  opportunities  to  improve  and  increase

Ø  localization efforts, in close collaboration with the grant unit.

Ø  Contribute to the identification and conceptual development of model program concepts under the heading of localization and partnership engagement, for potential replication.

Ø  Collaborate closely with country-level sector and platform technical advisors to ensure localization is mainstreamed across GOAL ‘s response framework.

Grant (in collaboration with grant unit)       

Ø  Serve  as  a  resource  person  who  increases  the  quality  of  proposals  to  be  submitted through  good collaboration with other stakeholders (internal and external).

Ø  Facilitate partner involvement in GOAL proposals and budget preparation and input directly to ensure partner design and costs are appropriately represented and adequately resourced.

Ø   Ensure monitoring schedules for partners and tracking as per schedules, review monitoring reports for partners, and give feedback.

Ø   Review budget realignment and prepare NCE or CE for PFAs based on the amendment of the main grant.

Ø   Communicate updates on spending status during the preparation of GMMs for those grants that have implementing partners.

Ø  Engage the sector lead, operations, and other relevant functions to design a project with a partnership and

Ø  Localization touch and contribute to the Localization sections of the project proposal.

Ø  Manage project timelines and deliverables, budgets, and resources, and ensure that all project objectives are met to the satisfaction of all stakeholders, including a multi-year program with an anchor funder and key implementing partner.

Ø  Oversee the performance of partnerships and prepare regular reporting on partnership performance, progress, recommendations, and issues.

Ø  Contribute to the scoping of new programmatic and funding opportunities to improve and increase partnership and localization efforts in close collaboration with the Grant Unit.

Ø  Manage all partnership processes and oversee the partner implementation cycle from kick-off, reporting, monitoring and evaluation, and close-out.

Ø  Document and share lessons learned with partners and GOAL country programme staff to support the development and enhancement of GOAL’s partnership portfolio including analysis of barriers to effective partnerships.

Ø  Establish and orient staff and partners on principles of partnership and partnership management; facilitate

Ø  on-boarding of new partners; build the capacity of GOAL staff to effectively work with partners.

Compliance (in collaboration with compliance unit)

Ø  Identify, manage, and research potential and/or existing partners that align with the project goals and objectives while ensuring the partnership is mutually beneficial.

Ø  Conduct a pre-award assessment (due diligence and capacity assessment) for new partners using the pre- award partner assessment checklist and prepare an assessment report that clearly identifies the potential risks to the go-no-go decision of the management.

Ø  Design a system to provide technical support for partners based on assessment findings.

Ø  Conduct ATSC screening for partners, board members, and Senior management staff as part of the due diligence.

Ø  Review  partners’  proposals  and  budgets  and  discuss  issues  with  the  program  team  for  corrective action. Coordination with other finance units and budget holders on partner-related issues.

Ø  Ensure monitoring schedules for partners and tracking as per schedules.

Ø   Compile key findings from partner monitoring reports on a quarterly basis to be shared with the senior leadership team.

Ø  Conduct existing partners' re-assessments up to the expiry of the three-year period stated in the partnership agreement.

Ø  Based on the assessment and risk identified, propose mitigation mechanisms, and indicate the need for technical, managerial, and financial training and capacity-building activities.

Ø  Provide short briefings or training on GOAL organizational integrity policies and an agreement to partner up on the release of the first advance and also support partner capacity development when relevant and within your own expertise.

Ø  Facilitating the in-country budget and proposal checklists review and approval for respective partners per grant

Ø  Checking  (and  occasionally  drafting)  partnership  agreements  and  memoranda  of  understanding and facilitating the in-country and HQ approval process; ensuring GOAL formats and standards are adhered to.

Ø   Closely work with grant colleagues to track the performance of partners and summarize and share the results to inform management decisions.

Ø  Facilitate advance, interim, and final payments to respective partners, which involve both the in-country and HQ approval processes.

Ø  Conduct quarterly compliance review visits to partner offices, review sample documents in the areas of finance, HR, program, and logistics, resolve any compliance issues noted during the visit, and prepare visit reports. Review the monitoring reports of partners and give feedback.

Ø  Follow up on the implementation of recommended action points noted during the compliance review visit and communicate reviewed or validated partner financial reports to the finance team.

Ø  Support the roll-out, review, and capacity-strengthening of partnership and localization. Provide capacity- building activities based on the gaps noted during the quarterly compliance review in the areas of finance, procurement, logistics, and HR.

Ø  Provide remote technical support to each partner based on challenges faced during the program's implementation.

Ø  Monitor partners’ performance in accordance with GE policies and procedures, provide inputs for quarterly spot checks related to active partner due diligence status and the number of issues, and ensure that learning and feedback are prioritized throughout all partnerships.

Ø  Create a central grant file to manage all grant files of partners, both in soft and hard copy, and maintain and archive the partner database. Keeping up-to-date documentation of core partnership processes per each agreement and ensuring these are reported to relevant teams.

Ø  Report trends and performances of partners and document lessons drawn from working in partnership.

Ø  Communicate and involve partners during the donor Audits based on the need for information required by the Auditors. Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements in partnership agreements.

Safeguarding and Mainstreaming of GESI

Ø  Sign and adhere to GOAL safeguarding and other relevant policies.

Ø  Be example in demonstrating good behaviour and adherence to the code of conduct.

Ø  Make sure safeguarding and GESI are budgeted during proposal development.

Ø  Closely work with the Safeguarding and GESI focal to ensure field staff have the required awareness in these area. 

Other

Ø  Ensure logistics, procurement, HR and finance protocols are followed by all programmes team members and collaborate closely with Internal Audit and Compliance staff to ensure the integration of compliance concerns into the work of the programme department.

Ø  Ensure appropriate HR planning, training, and resource allocation as required for the successful implementation of programme objectives, including appropriate support personnel at GOAL’s field sites.

Ø  Carry out other duties as requested by the Programmes Director.

 REMUNERATION and BENEFITS:

·       GOAL will pay a competitive basic salary based on the salary grading with addition benefits.

·       A chance to develop tangible experience.

·       Being part of a team who continue to make a real difference to the lives of the most vulnerable people.  

Commitments:

GOAL’s recruitment procedure is fair and transparent which is also in line with the organization’s commitment to its integrity, honesty and culture. GOAL is committed to ensure that, its performance complies with the terms and conditions of relevant agreements, applicable laws & regulations. Hence, pre-employment background checks will be conducted, and employees are required to read, understand, sign and implement different polices including safe guarding and child protection policy, Protection from Sexual Exploitation and abuse policy, sexual harassment policy, code of conducts and any other rules and regulation of the organization. GOAL is strongly committed not to harm the people under its care.

GOAL Ethiopia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the safety of people who involves in its work and demands all staff exhibit the highest commitment. GOAL Ethiopia will verify skills and commitment of the candidate in the assessment process and perform Background reference check.

Job Requirements

Do you want to join an exciting organization that brings high level impact to the community and add value to your professional advancement?  Then join us if you have:

·       A minimum of bachelor’s degree holder in any relevant field of study in particular project management, social sciences, business administration and six years of relevant experience.

·       Practical experience in partnership management, capacity sharing and monitoring of partners.

·       A very good understanding of localization, Grand bargain commitment and charter for change.

·        Familiarity with the localization agenda, local leadership, and prior experience of work with local civil society organisations.

·       Experience of working within large and complex international organisations working with a diverse type of partners.

·       Understanding of the requirements and challenges of working with civil societies and local partners with substantial experience of partnership and partnership management is a requirement.

·       Must have strong coordination skill, partnership building skill, team building and conflict management skill, financial management (budget preparation and monitoring).

·       Project and program development and management experience.

·       Strong  cultural  sensitivity,  with  highly  developed  interpersonal  and  communication  skills  including influencing, negotiation, problem solving and coaching.

·       Demonstrated ability to develop and manage productive relationships with wide range of stakeholders,

·       Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in using inspiration and sticking to principles.

·       Proficiency in English language (verbally and in writing).

·       Sensitive to cross cutting issues and approaches such as gender, HIV/ADIS, child protection, accountability, resilience, inclusion, and behavior change.

·       Commitment to the vision, mission, and values of GOAL Ethiopia.

Desirable quality, skill, and competence:

·       Practical experience in partnership management, capacity sharing and monitoring of partners.

·       Excellent  communication skills,  both oral  and written,  with an ability  to  inspire  internal and external stakeholders.

·       A very good understanding of localization, Grand bargain commitment and charter for change.

·       Familiarity with the localization agenda, local leadership, and prior experience of work with local civil society organisations.

·       Experience of working within large and complex international organisations working with a diverse type of partners.

·       Demonstrable experience of M&E, beneficiary accountability and reporting

·       Exceptional organizational skills, ability to handle a variety of responsibilities simultaneously and to set priorities.

·       An excellent team player with good skills in teamwork and consultative approach to decision making.

·       delivering results, applying technical and professional expertise, problem- solving, decision-making, and networking.

This senior position requires flexibility with regards to working hours. It is also expected that the partnership and localization advisor would be available outside of the normal working week in case of a crisis or a very urgent issue that needs to be dealt with. The work requires approximately 50% of travel to the field including to the very remote sites. Ability and willingness to travel to locations outside Addis Ababa is a must.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified applicants need to submit ONLY once their non - returnable application with CV for one vacancy. The vacancy reference number along with the title & Duty station need to be written in the application letter

·       Register using this LINK

GOAL strongly encourages female candidates to apply!

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for an interview and exam.

Shortlisted candidates will need to submit other supporting documents upon request at later stage.

GOAL is not able to contribute towards any costs incurred by candidates during the recruitment process