Partnership and Localization Manager

Role Summary

The Partnerships & Localization Manager will lead Anera Lebanon’s partnership strategy and localization agenda, ensuring strong, transparent, and impactful collaboration with local NGOs, CBOs, and community-based actors. The role is central to advancing Anera’s commitment to the Grand Bargain and donor localization frameworks.

The Manager will oversee partner identification, due diligence, capacity assessments, and joint project implementation, while also coordinating tailored capacity strengthening plans that enhance the programmatic, financial, and governance capacities of local organizations. The role ensures compliance with donor regulations and Anera policies, while promoting equitable and sustainable partnerships that strengthen Lebanon’s civil society ecosystem.

Key Responsibilities

1. Partner Engagement and Relationship Management

• Serve as the primary liaison between Anera and local partner NGOs
• Lead the development and implementation of Anera Lebanon’s partnership and localization strategy.
• Facilitate communication, coordination, and joint learning between Anera and partners.
• Convene regular partner forums for knowledge exchange, networking, and advocacy.

2. Partner Identification and Due Diligence

• Map and scope potential partners in alignment with programmatic priorities. 
• Conduct organizational assessments (programmatic, financial, operational, and safeguarding).
• Lead due diligence and risk assessments in line with donor and Anera policies.
• Maintain an updated partner risk register with mitigation measures.

3. Capacity Strengthening

• Develop and oversee  tailored capacity-building plans with partners (finance, compliance, program quality, safeguarding, MEAL, etc.).
• Coordinate training, mentoring, and peer-learning initiatives.
• Monitor and document  progress against capacity development plans

4. Compliance and Risk Management

• Ensure all partnerships comply with donor regulations, Anera’s policies, and Lebanese legal requirements.
• Monitor partner grant utilization and reporting quality, working closely with finance and program teams.
• Collaborate with Finance & Compliance teams to address compliance risks and challenges.

5. Program and MEAL Collaboration

• Work  closely with program and MEAL teams to ensure that partner contributions are well-integrated into the design, implementation, and reporting processes.
  Review partner work plans, budgets, and reports for accuracy and alignment.
• Support the MEAL team to strengthen partners’ monitoring systems and accountability mechanisms.
• Ensure all partners have functioning complaints and feedback systems.

6. Safeguarding & Accountability

• Promote adherence to safeguarding, PSEA, and child protection policies.

• Ensure accountability to affected populations (AAP) is embedded in all partnerships.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Deputy Country Director - Operations
• Position directly supervises: Contracts Officer
• Internal: All Departments
• External: Partners and potential partners, academia, training institutes and other relevant stakeholders

 Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree in international development, public administration, social sciences, business administration, or a related field (master's preferred) is required.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in partnership management and capacity building in the humanitarian sector
• Demonstrated expertise in due diligence, compliance (UN, USG, and EU), and organizational assessments.
• Strong knowledge of localization frameworks (e.g., Grand Bargain, donor localization agendas).
• Excellent  facilitation, coordination, and interpersonal skills
• Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic required
• Ability to travel regularly within Lebanon

Our values:

We are inspired: We are committed to energize, engage, and motivate others to forge the best outcomes for the diverse communities we serve.

We are people-centric: We are respectful and empathetic. We believe that each person, no matter their circumstances, embodies promise and has the power to shape the lives of their community and world.

We are collaborative: Teamwork and collaborative action are at the heart of how we do our work and deliver results.

We are versatile: In a region burdened by obstacles, we make the right connections to find a way and bring can-do, innovative approaches to everything we do.

We are impactful: We make a lasting difference in the lives of those we serve by delivering impactful solutions at the local community level.

We are accountable: Our words, actions and results stay true to our mission and values.