PARTNERSHIPS OFFICER

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation (SV, Stichting Vluchteling)

Based in Odesa (with regular travel in the southern oblasts – Odeska, Mykolaivska and Khersonska oblasts)

A fulltime position until 28/02/2025, with possibility of extension depending on funding

Background

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation (SV, Stichting Vluchteling) is a humanitarian organisation based in The Hague, the Netherlands. SV was founded in 1976 to help refugees, displaced persons and returnees who are in acute need, anywhere in the world. It provides life-saving assistance to people who are victims of conflict, violence, or disasters, providing medical care, shelter, food and drinking water. People in need can also count on SV in protracted crises, with education, psychosocial support and demining of residential areas. 

SV works in partnership with carefully chosen international and local implementing partners. Immediately after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, SV responded in partnership with pre-identified international partners and later began working mainly with local and national Ukrainian partners. 

At the beginning of 2023 SV established a small presence in Ukraine in order to be better able to support its Ukrainian partners. It was the first time for SV to establish an office in a country where it is supporting humanitarian projects. The office is based in Odesa and the projects that the Partnerships Officer will be working on are in the Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa oblasts. The projects are in the sectors of: Health (including Mental Health), WASH, Shelter, NFI, Protection,  

Purpose of the position

The Partnerships Officer will be responsible for contacts with Ukrainian partners, including initiating first contacts with new partners, support in proposal development and reporting, monitoring of partners and projects and ensuring adherence to the contract with SV as well as support to strengthening the capacity of the partner organization.

Place in the organisation

In Odesa, the SV Ukraine team consists of a country representative, a finance officer, a logistics and security officer, a medical coordinator, a health officer and a MEAL officer. Furthermore, a medical supply monitoring officer is based in Zaporizhzhia and a Regional Programme Officer, and a three-person logistics team are based in the Netherlands. The Ukraine team is part of the larger programme and advocacy department of SV globally.

The Partnerships Officer will report directly to the Country Representative but will be technically managed by the Regional Programme Officer in the Hague. This includes following the guidance from the Regional Programme Officer on priority taskings and working together to follow the SV Project Cycle Management process.  As the SV Ukraine team is small, the Partnerships Officer must work closely with all team members, especially finance, logistics & security, and have a strong relationship with and understanding of MEAL.

Tasks

Working closely with the Regional Programme Officer:

• Ensure SV has a good overview of humanitarian needs in Khersonska, Mykolaivska and Odeska oblasts based on active participation in cluster and general coordination meetings, regular contacts with partners and authorities, and context analysis through own observations.
• Keep in regular contact (at least monthly) with existing partners and follow progress of their projects, flagging any issues to relevant SV Ukraine team colleagues and working with local partners to overcome any challenges they may be facing to complete projects on scope, within the budget and on time.
• Work closely with the MEAL Officer and assist with monitoring of activities of the partners and providing monitoring reports.
• Provide support to partners throughout the whole project period and regularly visit their project locations and activities.
• Contact potential new relevant partners as needed based on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine and available SV funding. 
• Contribute to the assessment and due diligence process of potential new partners (OCRA) 
• Based on the OCRA, identify and provide support to partners to strengthen the capacity of their organisation.
• Assist partners with proposal writing, if required. Ensure that Duty of Care for partner staff and Do No Harm principles for people and communities receiving assistance is included in project planning and proposals. Review the reports of partners in comparison to the project proposal and budget.
• Represent SV in relevant cluster and other coordination fora. 
• Represent SV in meetings with local authorities, as and when requested by the Country Representative.  
• Share relevant cluster recommendations with the SV Ukraine team to ensure partner project activities in line with cluster recommendations, for a more relevant and coordinated humanitarian response.
• Contribute to SV proposal writing for external donors, as and when needed.
• Assist with the preparation of the SV Ukraine Strategy for 2025.
• Share information with the Country Representative on legislation changes that may affect programming.
• Actively engage in localization discussions in Ukraine and share relevant information with the Country Representative and HQ localization Focal Point. 
• Provide information to HQ staff from the communications and fundraising departments.

What do we expect from you? 

• At least 2 years of experience working with a humanitarian organisation in project and grant management.
• Proven experience in MEAL in the humanitarian sector and the use of MEAL tools.
• Experience with the humanitarian coordination system (cluster system).
• Relevant education at university level or equivalent.
• Excellent oral and written skills in Ukrainian and English. 
• Ability to be based in Odesa and regularly travel to partner project locations in Odesa, Mykolaiv and Kherson.
• Enthusiastic and proactive personality with good communication skills and ability to work in a small and dynamic team.

What do we offer you? 

• An engaging and critical position in a dynamic and agile organisation that is committed to localization.
• A function with room for own initiative and new ideas.
• A full-time national consultancy contract for initially until 28 February 2025, with possibility for extension depending on new funding.
• 10 paid national holidays (within a calendar year)
• National health insurance.
• Start date: 10 June 2024

How to apply

• Please send your CV in English and short cover letter through the system 
• Deadline for applications is: 2 June 2024

The Netherlands Refugee Foundation has a Code of Conduct, containing the values and principles of the Netherlands Refugee Foundation, including with regard to integrity & reliability and the prevention of any form of discrimination and / or abuse of power. Every employee must endorse these and act accordingly at all times. Taking references and requesting a Certificate of Good Conduct are part of the application procedure. The Netherlands Refugee Foundation is part of the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.