Officer, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships (Internal) at The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Job Purpose

• To provide grant management and coordination of funding in Abuja Country Cluster Delegation (Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana). Support the IFRC’s on resource mobilization, development of quality proposals and research of funding opportunities, and grant management.
• Support the National Societies with resource mobilization and grant management.

Job Duties And Responsibilities

Coordinating engagement and relationships strategy with targeted partners across multiple income streams (NS/governments, private sector, and multilaterals):

• Work proactively with COs/ACCDs and technical/thematic leads to ensure coordinated partnership engagement based on common targets and longer-term priorities.
• Develop, broaden and strengthen the network of national societies, private sector, and multilateral influencers and advocates in support of IFRC’s mission.
• Lead on regular engagement of, discussion with, strategic partners with a view to ensuring donor care on the implementation of IFRC Africa plans and for forward-looking purposes.
• Develop a knowledge base on IFRC Africa’s private sector and multilateral partners as a shared resource for maintaining and developing partnership engagement across the cluster.
• Serve as the focal point for the assigned portfolio of partners and provide guidance to COs/ACCDs for partnership engagement and coordination.
• Contribute to the analysis of relevant government policies, decisions and funding trends to help develop funding targets and identify opportunities for partnership to match future IFRC needs.
• In collaboration with the Operations Coordinator and the IFRC Africa Head of PRD, ensure the overall monitoring and overview of partnership development as part of the IFRC Africa strategy map and PRD operational plan.
• Support the organization of partnerships and cooperation meetings at all levels.

Funding and resourcing plans, especially for Abuja Country Cluster Support Team

• Support the development, and monitor the implementation, of funding plans together with relevant IFRC offices, technical leads and Finance focal points.
• Track and analyse emergency appeal and operational plan coverage, lead and coordinate actions to be taken to increase coverage, and provide regular updates and recommendations to management.
• Process all pledges properly and in a timely manner, ensuring pledges reflecting agreed criteria are shared with donors and understood by relevant budget holders.
• Take the lead in the coordination and writing of specific funding proposals, including acting as a close liaison with National Societies, technical teams and delegations to ensure quality.
• Contribute to funding gaps by monitoring, analyzing, and proposing/implementing corrective measures.
• Ensure proactive negotiation of pledges together with IFRC budget holder in relation to assigned portfolio of partners.
• Ensure quality control and partner stewardship for pledge management, coordination with PRD team members as well as Finance focal points.
• Develop an engagement strategy for IFRC Abuja Country Cluster programs and projects.
• Work with budget holders and Finance to ensure that donor reports are prepared to quality standards; in compliance with donor conditions and requirements, and that all deadlines are met.
• Support the programme coordinators to ensure IFRC reporting standards are upheld.​​​​​​​

National Society Development in partnerships and resource mobilisation

• Provide technical guidance and support to our member National Societies in all matters related to partnerships and resource mobilisation.
• Lead and contribute to the Cluster office and Regional office efforts to develop the domestic resource mobilisation capacities of our member National Societies, with a particular focus on the Abuja Country Cluster countries.
• Promote and facilitate a sub-regional network of PRD focal points from each National Society to promote networking, collaboration and learning.
• Travel when required to support the National Societies, facilitate donor visits and events and attend meetings.

Planning support and coordination for Abuja Country Cluster

• Ensure effective coordination with COs, Regional office’s technical units and PRD focal points to be involved in performing tasks;
• Oversee the development of the plan of action (PoA) and subsequent updates that help operationalize the IFRC Secretariat strategy.
• Lead IFRC Secretariat inputs as needed to Federation-wide strategic planning efforts.
• Support programme coordinators and other staff in the design of project proposals, meeting IFRC and international project design standards.

Education

Relevant:

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

Preferred:

• Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (eg. International Relations, Marketing, Humanitarian Affairs, Business Administration, Economics, Finance).
• Relevant professional training courses (Red Cross/Red Crescent related, humanitarian and development sector, management).

Experience
Required:

• At least 3 years of relevant experience in managing relations with donors and partners.
• Experience of working with multilateral partners e.g. European Commission, development banks, and specialized funds.
• Experience of managing complex, major grants.
• Experience of developing and implementing funding plans
• Experience of developing winning funding proposals and grant applications

Preferred:

• Work experience with Red Cross Red Crescent, other international organizations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Proven grant management skills.
• Excellent project management and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate funding agreements, to structure financial instruments, and to navigate complex funding mechanisms
• Ability to navigate complex funding instruments and requirements.
• Outstanding networking, representational, communication and negotiation skills contributing to a client-focused culture.
• Experience in identifying and articulating issues, risks and priorities that need to be brought to the attention of senior management.
• Proven ability of donor communications, proposals and reporting.
• Track record in producing high-quality work within short deadlines, managing competing priorities and ability to make effective timely decisions
• High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels.
• Highly organized, with the ability to work as a strong team player.
• Ability to coordinate with teams based in different geographic locations.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, multilingual, multi-disciplinary environment.
• Excellent communication, presentation, diplomacy and negotiation skills.
• Excellent networking and relationship-building skills.
• Strong budgeting and financial management skills.
• Demonstrated skills in analytical and strategic thinking.
• Excellent writing and editing skills in English.