Overview
The Localisation & Partnerships Specialist is responsible for coordinating and supporting the implementation of DRC oPt’s localisation and partnership portfolio, ensuring effective engagement with local actors.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as technical focal point supporting the operationalisation of DRC oPt’s localisation and partnership approach.
- Ensure partnership and localisation activities are aligned with area-level operational priorities.
- Act as the mission focal point for partnerships and localisation.
- Build and maintain strong, collaborative professional relationships with partners.
- Coordinate daily communication and collaboration with partners.
- Conduct partner mapping and maintain updated internal partnership documentation.
- Lead partnership processes across the project cycle.
- Draft and coordinate Sub-Grant Agreements (SGAs), MoUs and relevant partnership documentation.
- Facilitate internal and external partnership coordination meetings.
- Provide technical guidance to programme teams on partnership management and localisation practices.
- Support onboarding and induction of staff on partnership and localisation approaches.
- Coordinate and oversee partner capacity strengthening initiatives.
- Facilitate effective cross-departmental collaboration on partnership-related matters.
- Support joint project design and development with partners.
- Document lessons learned, best practices, and localisation progress.
- Ensure partnership processes comply with DRC policies, donor regulations, and implementing partner SOPs.
- Escalate partnership-related risks or operational challenges.
- Coordinate partner due diligence, risk assessments, and compliance checks.
- Coordinate with Finance and relevant teams to support timely partner payments.
- Ensure partners understand contractual obligations, reporting requirements, and applicable compliance standards.
- Support quality control of partnership documentation prior to signature.
- Review partner reports and maintain partner (reporting) trackers.
- Provide technical inputs to proposals and reports related to partnerships and localisation.
- Contribute to internal learning processes, after-action reviews, and strategic discussions on localisation.
- Perform other relevant tasks as assigned.
Required Experience
- Minimum 3 years of relevant professional experience in partnerships, localisation, programme development, grants management, or related roles, preferably within an NGO or donor-funded context.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with demonstrated ability to build effective working relationships with diverse stakeholders.
- Demonstrated experience managing partnership processes across the project cycle, including partner mapping, selection, vetting, due diligence, drafting sub-agreements or MoUs, and coordinating partner reporting.
- Experience supporting partner capacity strengthening initiatives and working collaboratively with partners.
- Knowledge of localisation principles, partnership best practices, and equitable partnership approaches.
- Familiarity with donor rules and regulations related to partnerships and sub-grant management.
- Experience contributing to proposal development and donor reporting processes.
- Strong organisational and coordination skills.
- Ability to coordinate effectively across functions.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
- Experience working in multi-cultural and diverse teams and environments.
Qualifications
University Degree in Social Sciences, International Development or relevant fields.
