VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organization, dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern is currently recruiting the below post:

Job Code: 23-016-NH (You must quote this code on your application)

Job Title: Partnership Officer – LIFE Programme (x1)

Location: Grand Bassa County

Reporting To: Program Manager

Responsible For: N/A

Contract duration: Fixed-Term (4 months)

Job Purpose: The new 5-year Irish Aid programme (2022/2026) called Livelihoods, Innovation, Food Security and Entrepreneurship (LIFE) is a food systems strengthening programme that will be implemented in Grand Bassa and Rivercess Counties. The Partnership Officer will need to demonstrate expertise and experience working with National Implementing Partners (NIPS), also known as local partners that will be co-implementing the LIFE programme in Rivercess and Grand Bassa Counties. NIPs who will be participating in the implementation of the food systems programme will be supported by the Partnership Officer in the areas of organisation support, institutional strengthening and ensure quality delivery of project activities during the lifespan of the project. The Partnership Officer will be responsible for delivering on this Country strategy, working to develop strategic systems to strengthen our partnerships with government, civil society, the private sector, research institutions and others.

Specific Responsibilities:

In collaboration with NIPs, develop work plans, project contract and prepare PRF for review by Programme Manager/ Programme Coordinator; regularly update management of performance partners – both financially and programmatically in order help identify issues early and address them in time; support the development and facilitation of joint working to ensure the delivery of and engagement on key priorities of the project within a single integrated plan (SIP); ensure effective and collaborative partnership assessments and vetting on a routine basis so that the organisation is not exposed to undue risk; review partnership management practices; identify and follow up on actions to improve management practices; Help ensure partners’ involvement in strategic planning, program design and proposal/concept paper development;

Partner program management:

Liaise with other departments (Systems, Finance and M&E) to develop training packages tailored to identified gaps as indicated in their capacity development plans and CILPATs; ensure that the sub-grant agreements/ partnership agreements, TOR and terms of Partnerships, as well as institutional policies and procedures are complied with by the partner organization(s), including policies on child safeguarding; work with the grants management and legal teams, to ensure that partnership

tools and financial standards meet donor requirements.

Provide support to the partner organization in the project cycle management of Irish Aid funded program and Concern, including ensuring work plans, phased budgets, procurement plans and benchmarks are in place for each project and assist partner teams to put these in place; convene grant-opening meetings with partners when new grants are awarded; assist partner management to monitor outputs against activity plans and budgets and timeframes. Assist partner to strategize ways to ensure program delivery meets targets and to support their own organizational development towards operating as potential fully fledged NGOs; work with finance teams, to ensure the timely payment of partner instalments, review of partner reports and the close out of partner sub-grants; organize partner review meetings on a monthly/ quarterly basis with representation from partner and relevant Concern operations and program staff to discuss progress, expectations, communication between the organizations, any conflict of policies, any areas of concern and future planning.

Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning.

Coordinate with the MEAL team to ensure the development and implementation of appropriate M&E and program management tools and systems for use by partners, and that appropriate training and ongoing support is provided to partners on use of the same; develop a system for accountability towards partners where Concern regularly seeks feedback from partners on its strategies and plans; secure mutual learning with partners in terms of program delivery and partnership building; analyse results of on-going partnerships, remote management and results on the grounds to produce lessons learnt and inform strategic decision-making; ensure all work done with communities is carried out in a manner that is respectful and sensitive to local culture, community needs and gender equality; adhere to at all times to Concern’s global policies, guidelines and standards; be aware of, understand and comply with all of Concern’s policies and procedures (P4, finance, logistics, HR, security management etc.); contribute to ongoing security management and planning as necessary; actively participate in any emergency response if called upon to do so (within the existing programme area or in a new one); undertake other related duties as may reasonably be assigned by the Country Director or the line manager.

Experience & Qualification:

∙ Bachelors’ degree in Social Sciences, project management and development relevant field from a recognized university.

∙ Minimum 3 years work experience in the development sector/with NGOs, with at least a year’s experience in partnership-based programming or community-based programming.

∙ Experience in organizational capacity development, training, mentoring and coaching.

∙ Proven experience in field level representation with key stakeholders and co-ordination with other NGOs/UN/ Line Ministries ∙ Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically

∙ Basic computer skills, including hands-on use of the internet, Word and Excel.

∙ The ability to ride or willingness to learn to ride a motorcycle.

How to apply:

By email to: liberia.hr@concern.net with the JOB CODE 23-016-NH Partnership Officer – LIFE clearly in the SUBJECT LINE. By Hand to: HR Department, Concern Worldwide, Building Number-5 Andalucía’s Complex Compound Number-2, Between 6th & 7th Streets Sinkor Beachside, Behind Home City Furniture Store, Monrovia.

JOB CODE 23-016-NH Partnership Officer – LIFE clearly indicated on the envelope.

Applications must include the following:

∙ JOB CODE 23-016-NH Partnership Officer – LIFE

∙ A letter of application stating why you believe you are the best suited for the position.

∙ A copy of your CV (maximum 4 pages) giving active daytime contacts.

∙ Names and addresses of two (2) work-related referees with professional e-mail addresses.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS IS 4:00 pm on Thursday 24th August 2023.

FEMALE APPLICANTS ARE HIGHLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

ONLY SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CONTACTED.

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Concern Worldwide is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all sections of society. While all applicants will be strictly assessed on their individual merit, qualified women are particularly encouraged to apply.