Partnership Officer – Distance Capacity Building

  BACKGROUND:   Oxfam is currently mounting a response to the Syria Crisis, in Jordan, Lebanon as well as Syria. The Oxfam International programme is currently reaching over 500 000 people affected by the crisis, across the three countries.    A humanitarian partnership team has been formed, with a regional remit on supporting partner-led humanitarian delivery, as well as the capacity building and organisational development of civil society to be able to provide quality humanitarian assistance now and for the future. Oxfam is guided by its partnership policy that ensures mutual respect and accountability between Oxfam and partners.     OXFAM PURPOSE: To work with others to find lasting solutions to poverty and suffering   TEAM PURPOSE: To assist people affected by the Syrian Crisis through the provision of essential humanitarian aid. To contribute to the professionalisation of aid work in the region.     JOB PURPOSE: Under the supervision of the Humanitarian Programme Manager, and in close coordination with the Training Lead, the Partnership Officer, will be responsible for coaching and supporting a portfolio of partners (civil society organisations) to improve the quality of humanitarian delivery to people affected by the crisis in the region. The PO will also be responsible for contract management for the partners in their portfolio and will act as the focal point between these organisations and Oxfam. S/he will contribute to the development of training materials and manuals, deliver training and build the capacity of partners. The PO will ensure that partnerships are based on Oxfam partnership principles and mandatory processes. The PO will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with assigned partners, in cooperation with relevant programme and finance staff.   S/he will assist the team to develop modalities to look at effective and potentially alternative means to provide distance support and capacity building to partners, this may mean use of new technology, internet, or social media for capacity building and remote support to partners in the region. The PO will ensure that partnerships are based on Oxfam partnership principles and mandatory processes. The PO will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with assigned partners in cooperation with relevant programme and finance staff.       REPORTING LINES:   Postholder reports to:  Humanitarian Programme Manager - Partnerships   Staff reporting to this post:  None   BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: None   DIMENSIONS: Creative thinking and providing innovative solutions for capacity building, information sharing and communication using technology and new media. Contributes to programme effectiveness and sustainability through high participation in civil society development plans Supports staff and partners and ensure smooth partnership management Contribution to the development and the delivery of capacity building activities Contributes to project/ programme budget planning and monitoring by tracking the partners’ budget versus actual expenditures Some negotiation and representation with programme partners / counterparts Develops a shared analysis of local issues, contacts and key players Good organisational awareness. Effective member of team and role model; demonstrates creativity in seeking better ways to do things and shares with team, and promotes high standards. Takes responsibility for own work and delegated project/processes (including some leadership). Anticipates problems and regularly provides solutions. Successfully manages conflicting priorities. Demonstrates developed communications skills. Excellent knowledge of area of work and contributes to team planning. Proactively assumes more responsibility and/or more difficult areas of work in agreement with manager. Contributes to development of departmental initiatives.   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:   Capacity Building and distance support: To develop an approach to providing distance capacity building and programme support to partners. Gather and adapt learning for other humanitarian crises globally. Map and adapt technology and social media means for use in distance capacity building. Pilot use of new technology or alternative capacity building techniques for distance use, and analyse results. To deliver capacity building and coaching on humanitarian standards, mainly Sphere Standards and Humanitarian Accountability Partnership. To assist in the assessment of partners’ capacity and conduct training needs assessments To follow up and provide guidance and coaching for partners on project management and Oxfam reporting requirements and to provide written feedback to the Humanitarian Programme Manager. To study and review training materials for preparedness on training delivery. To assist the Training Lead in the development of trainings materials and workshop preparations. Assist in developing gaps-based partners’ capacity building plan and ensure its implementation in an efficient manner.   Update and revise regularly the improvement and progression in partners capacity     Partnership Administration: Monitor and follow up on partners reporting schedule. To collect, review and archive partners reports and provide updates to the team on progress of activities.   Support partners' required reports and ensure accuracy and detailed data, and timely delivery of activities by partners in compliance to OGB and donor requirements.   Monitor contextual changes and provide regular written update to the HPM and the team.   Prepare draft reports to donors about progress of projects' activities. To prepare payment requests for grants to partners in accordance with relevant funding agreements. To assist the HPM on the development of programme activities. To liaise with OGB’s partners/beneficiaries. To communicate frequently with the HPM and line manager to ensure that all those who need to share information are well informed. Contribute to the partnership assessments in coordination with the HPM and programme staff. In collaboration with the project teams, assist the HPM and the MEAL Advisor in the analysis and assessment of downwards accountability (Oxfam/Partner towards project beneficiaries). Carefully review partnership agreements with its annexes and ensure its consistency, accuracy and completeness by working directly project teams.     SKILLS AND COMPETENCE: Education to a degree level in social sciences or related discipline. An understanding of and interest in new technology, digital and social media, distance learning. Experience undertaking the same or similar assignment(s) with an International NGOs and/or other organizations. An understanding of and experience of working in the humanitarian sector. Awareness about gender issues and women empowerment. Manages resources and deadlines with minimum supervision. Good communication and interpersonal skills High level of planning skills Responsible, flexible and adaptable Good team player and builder Ability to work and communicate effectively with partners/beneficiaries to insure compliance with Oxfam GB and donor’s policies and procedures. Ability to speak, read, write and work in English and Arabic Practical experience in organizing partners organizational and technical capacity assessments. Knowledge and skills in computer usage (Ms Word, Excel). Other applications are preferable Willingness and eagerness to learn about organizational and financial procedures Knowledge and skills in computer usage (Ms Word, Excel). Other applications are preferable Willingness and eagerness to learn about organizational and financial procedures       OTHER: Ability to travel (short term assignments) in the region