Career Opportunity: Partnership Coordinator – Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) - MY NGO JOBS

Location: FCT, ABUJA (with coordination for Jos)

Employment Type: Full-time

Application Deadline: January 1, 2025

The Strategic Importance of This Role

In the complex humanitarian landscape of Northeast Nigeria, the most effective and sustainable aid is often delivered through local actors who understand the community’s pulse. The Partnership Coordinator is the architect of these vital relationships, ensuring that local organizations are empowered, compliant, and equipped to save lives alongside the NRC. By bridging the gap between international standards and local expertise, this role ensures that humanitarian assistance is not only rapid and professional but also respectful of local capacity and long-term resilience.

Job Summary

We are seeking an enthusiastic and compliance-driven professional to coordinate our diverse portfolio of local partnerships in Abuja. The successful candidate will manage the full lifecycle of partnership agreements—from initial mapping and due diligence to capacity sharing and project closure—ensuring all collaborations meet the rigorous legal, financial, and ethical standards of the NRC and our global donors.

Key Responsibilities

Partnership Management & Strategic Growth

Network Mapping: Lead the identification and vetting of potential local partners, maintaining a robust database of civil society organizations and public/private stakeholders.
Agreement Lifecycle: Coordinate the development and modification of Project Implementation Agreements (PIAs), ensuring they are legally sound and aligned with NRC’s Partnership Toolkit.
Focal Point Coordination: Serve as the primary liaison between NRC and its partners, facilitating transparent communication and resolving contractual or implementation issues.
Project Cycle Management (PCM): Organize and lead critical milestone meetings, including project opening, review, and closure sessions, to track deliverables and budget health.

Compliance & Quality Assurance

Standards Enforcement: Ensure all partners adhere to the NRC Financial Handbook, donor regulations, and the “Do-No-Harm” principle.
Due Diligence: Conduct rigorous organizational capacity assessments and vetting processes to mitigate operational and reputational risks.
Field Monitoring: Perform regular on-site monitoring visits to verify project progress and provide hands-on support to partner teams.
Financial Oversight: Monitor partner cash flows and maintain overall budget control to ensure efficient use of humanitarian resources.

Capacity Sharing & Learning

Technical Coaching: Identify capacity gaps and coordinate systematic training sessions, mentoring, and coaching for partners on compliance and technical standards.
Mutual Learning: Integrate partner feedback into NRC tools and guidance, fostering a culture of horizontal learning and community-of-practice within the region.
Safe Programming: Work with technical teams to ensure partners mainstream inclusive and safe programming into all community-level activities.

Documentation & Information Management

Information Security: Maintain up-to-date partnership trackers and ensure all digital and physical files are secured according to NRC’s information management systems.
Visibility & Storytelling: Collaborate with the Media and Communications team to highlight successful partnerships and document lessons learned for donor reporting.

Required Qualifications & Competencies

Education: University degree in Social Sciences, International Relations, International Development, or a related field.
Experience: Minimum of 3 years of professional experience with an NGO or international organization, with a specific focus on partnership management and civil society strengthening.
Technical Skills: Strong analytical capabilities (both financial and data-driven) and advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
Soft Skills: Exceptional networking, facilitation, and training skills, with the ability to coach diverse teams.
Contextual Knowledge: An understanding of the challenges associated with complex emergencies and crisis contexts in Nigeria.
Language: Professional fluency in written and spoken English.
Integrity: Knowledge of anti-corruption best practices and a commitment to ethical humanitarian standards.

About the Organization

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global leader in humanitarian action, dedicated to protecting the rights of people forced to flee. Founded in 1946 to assist refugees in the aftermath of World War II, we have evolved into an independent foundation operating in over 30 countries. In Nigeria, we specialize in five core competencies: Shelter, Food Security, WASH, Education, and Information, Counselling, and Legal Assistance (ICLA). Our mission is driven by 5,000 passionate professionals who believe in durable solutions and the dignity of displaced populations. We value those who are enthusiastic about making a difference in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Why Apply? (Benefits & Expectations)

Professional Growth: Take a leadership role in one of the world’s most respected humanitarian organizations.
Impact: Directly influence the localization agenda in Nigeria, empowering local NGOs to drive change.
Dynamic Environment: Work in a high-pressure, rewarding context that values independent initiative and limited supervision.
Remuneration: Competitive salary and benefits package in line with NRC’s international and national staff scales.

Application Instructions

Are you ready to build meaningful partnerships that save lives?

How to Apply: Submit your application online through the NRC career portal.
Application Link: APPLY NOW

Selection Note:

NRC is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates regardless of background.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Early applications are encouraged as reviews may occur on a rolling basis.

Tips for Applicants

Focus on Compliance: NRC values the “Project Implementation Agreement” (PIA) process highly. If you have experience with sub-granting or managing donor audits (USAID, ECHO, BHA), highlight this clearly in your CV.
Demonstrate Coaching Ability: This role isn’t just about oversight; it’s about capacity building. Briefly describe a time you helped a smaller organization improve its financial or reporting standards.
Show Technical Literacy: Proficiency in Excel is listed as a “must.” Be prepared to demonstrate your ability to manage complex trackers or budget monitoring tools during the interview process.