Partnership Coordinator

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those affected by the world’s worst humanitarian crises. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

Working in coordination with the humanitarian community and the Government of Jordan, the IRC's assistance programs for Syrian refugees in Jordan include both camp-based and urban-based refugee assistance. IRC is currently addressing the needs of war-affected Syrians from several operational bases in the region. The IRC’ activities in the region focus primarily on the supply of vital medications and medical supplies, non-food items, water and sanitation and child protection and form part of an over-arching humanitarian response in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq to assist refugees, IDPs and conflict-affected Syrians survive conflict and displacement.

SCOPE OF WORK:
The Partnership Coordinator will lead the Sub Grant (SG) Unit for the IRC Jordan Musa’ada (Aid) program. The Musa’ada program is based in Jordan and provides emergency relief to conflict-affected Syrians inside Syria. The purpose of the SG Unit is to oversee the management, coordination and the key risk control elements of the Musa’ada sub-grants portfolio to ensure a high level of financial management and compliance. The Partnership Coordinator will help IRC’s partners understand donors’ regulations and meet expectations, while also working internally to ensure that partners’ proposals, reports, and financial transfers are processed in a timely manner and with minimal disruption to partners’ programming. The SG Unit is a key contributor to all steps in the process; solicitation, award, assessing sub-grantee capabilities, due diligence, monitoring of program and financial performance / progress, grant compliance, sub-grant documentation & retention, re-assessments and audits, partner liaison, partner capacity building, application of sub-grantee compliance plans or corrective action plans, evaluations and close-out activities.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the SG Unit in achieving its objectives.
• Effective Sub-Grants Management
  • Systematically and efficiently integrate the responsibilities of programmatic, compliance and financial staff in relation to IRC’s support to partner organizations who receive sub-awards.
  • Ensure timely review partners’ narrative and financial reports in accordance with sub-grant agreements. Support partners with submission as necessary. Coordinate with the CO Finance department to facilitate timely processing of all sub-grantee transfers.
  • Ensure that partner staff are aware of and clearly understand compliance expectations through project launch meetings, ‘fact sheets’ and other key documentation, and targeted support and training.
  • Partner Program and financial remote monitoring schedules are maintained/updated quarterly and SG unit coordinated to support partners to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
• Administrative Support
  • Lead the design and development of Musa’ada sub-grant systems related to administrative processes and procedures to ensure they are streamlined, harmonized, and, in accordance with donor regulations and consistently implemented throughout the program.
  • Partners’ proposals are reviewed in a timely manner and against criteria clearly communicated to potential partners in advance of their submission.
  • The pre-award assessments and final agreements are completed on time and with limited disruption to partners’ programming.
  • Conduct budget reviews of all new potential sub grantees and financial due diligence in pre-award assessment phase.
  • Ensure that pre-award remote financial reviews are done for each proposed sub-grant.
  • Ensure effective management and administration of IRC’s sub-grants to partners, including timely review of sub-grantee reports and follow up on any significant concerns that emerge.
  • Manage all sub-grantee audits as appropriate and ensure that IRC’s own sub-grant files are ‘audit ready’ and up to date.
  • Coordinate IRC’s sub-grants activities within the region.
  • Maintain a tracking sheet and filing system for all sub grantees proposals, agreements, financial reports and outstanding advances/balances to be paid.
  • Prepare all sub-grant agreements and modification to agreements using established agreement formats.
• Compliance and Capacity Building
  • Oversee and ensure that compliance and implementation capacity of partner organizations is strengthened.
  • Build relations with and operational/programmatic capacity of partners through consistent support and remote training.
  • SG trainings and refresher trainings on sub-grant compliance remotely for key partners and IRC staff.
  • Concentrate on effective communication with partners.
  • Based on remote monitoring findings, create Compliance Work plans based on deficiencies noted during pre-award and/or post-award remote monitoring and work collaboratively with sub-grant partners to ensure compliance to USG regulations and correction of deficiencies previously noted.
• Human Resource Management
  • Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
  • Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal, quarterly basis with all staff.
  • Overall responsibility for staff timesheets, work plans and vacation schedules.
  • With team members, identify individual training needs and ensure access to training and professional development resources appropriate to their skill gaps/needs.
  • Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability on the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct.

Professional Standards
The IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way-Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

• Position reports to: Senior Health Coordinator
• Position directly supervises: Senior Sub Grants and Compliance Manager, Partnership and Capacity Building Manager, Partnership Manager
• Indirect Reporting: DDP, Country Director
• Other internal: Musa’ada Cross Border Coordinator and team, Grants Coordinator, Grants Manager, M&E Manager, HQ based IRC Technical Advisors, other program coordinators
• Other external: Relevant stakeholders, both GO and INGO

REQUIREMENTS:

• BA degree or equivalent in International Development or Affairs, Business or related field; Advanced degree a plus
• Minimum of 3-5 years work experience with an NGO in an international context
• Successful experience establishing partnerships and strengthening capacity of partners
• Proven expertise in project proposal and M&E development
• Acumen in applying remote management tools in high risk areas
• Experience working with community based organizations in a sub-grantee relationship
• Strong knowledge of U.S. Government rules and regulations as they apply to sub grant management
• Excellent communication and coordination skills
• Proven ability to work well in and promote teamwork, thrive in a multi-cultural environment, be flexible and handle pressure with professional grace
• Experience and skills in reading, reviewing and auditing financial reports
• Experience managing staff and a commitment to team building, mentoring and staff development
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Regional experience preferred

Working Environment:
The position is based in Amman with standard office work environment. Individual housing allowance is provided in Amman, including internet connection, water and electricity. Living standards are good and the security situation is calm and stable but this could change. Medical, life, and repatriation insurance and retirement package provided. Travel to/from post and R&R.