Partnerships Coordinator – [Program 30 / Support 70]

Introduction

The Partnerships Coordinator will strengthen DRC Nigeria’s engagement with national NGOs and CSOs by combining programme partnership development with hands-on support services capacity strengthening (Finance, HR, Logistics and Administration). The postholder will lead partner mapping, selection and due diligence; design and deliver capacity assessments and tailored capacity-development plans; provide ongoing grant- and compliance-related support to partners; and work closely with DRC technical and support teams to integrate strengthened support systems into programme delivery. This role will be based in Abuja and requires extensive travel to field offices and partner locations.

This position will be based at the Country Office level in Abuja and will require extensive field travel.

Background

Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has had an operational presence in Nigeria since 2015 and has experience working in 33 Local Government Areas (LGAs) across the BAY states and Northwest Nigeria (Sokoto, Zamfara and Katsina). DRC provides life-saving assistance and protection to vulnerable, conflict-affected populations including IDPs, returnees, and host communities in the sectors of armed violence reduction, livelihoods, nutrition and food security, protection, shelter, and non-food items (NFI) and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).

The operational context in northeastern Nigeria remains challenging, as the ongoing conflict impedes conflict-affected communities’ access to what limited basic services are available, as well as DRC and other humanitarians’ access to persons of concern.

Purpose

Danish Refugee Council is currently looking for a Partnership Coordinator in Nigeria.  Under the supervision of the Support Services Manager (SSM). The Partnerships Coordinator will strengthen DRC Nigeria’s engagement with national NGOs and CSOs by combining programme partnership development with hands-on support services capacity strengthening (Finance, HR, Logistics and Administration). The postholder will lead partner mapping, selection and due diligence; design and deliver capacity assessments and tailored capacity-development plans; provide ongoing grant- and compliance-related support to partners; and work closely with DRC technical and support teams to integrate strengthened support systems into programme delivery. This role will be based in Abuja and requires extensive travel to field offices and partner locations.

Responsibilities:

Partnership development & management

• Conduct and maintain partner mapping and a partnership database that maps out partner capacity, influence, and strategic alignment with DRC programming. .
• Lead partner selection and due diligence, including meetings and assessments. Support partner selection processes for national NGOs, including local authority liaisons as needed.
• Support drafting and management of partnership documentation (MoUs, agreements, budgets).
• Establish and maintain productive relationships across Nigeria.
• Liaise with DRC Nigeria technical coordinators to support the integration of support services into partnerships management in sectors including Protection, CCCM, WASH, Shelter and Settlements, Humanitarian Mine Action, and Economic Recovery
• Input into strategy development of various sectors to include plans and targets on the improvement of support services at NNGO partners
• Support technical coordinators to work with duty bearers in different governorates in Nigeria to improve their financial, HR, and Logistics systems and processes and to better support NNGOs
• Conduct partnership reviews to inform future partnership engagements.

Capacity and Needs Assessments and Partnership Management in addition to Capacity Development

• Support, develop comprehensive capacity assessment tools related to project and programme design and management, including grants management processes. 
• Design and lead partner organisational capacity assessment covering programme/project management and support functions.
• Conduct and analyse capacity assessments.
• Develop, support and monitor the implementation of tailored capacity development plans.
• Develop high-quality learning materials and deliver training/workshops.
• Provide embedded mentorship and coaching to partners.
• Establish and maintain productive links between NNGO partners and staff, and with DRC Program teams and Support departments

Support services technical guidance

•     Provide guidance on finance, procurement, HR, and supply chain systems.
•     Liaise with technical coordinators to integrate support services strengthening into strategies.
•     Support partners in developing/adapting support service policies and manuals.
•     Develop capacity development plans based on capacity assessments and consultations with DRC staff, local NGO staff, local authorites and sectors
•     Develop relevant and high quality learning materials including presentations, practical activities, guidelines, support resources, pre and post tests etc.
• Support partners to develop and utilise support service related policies and manuals, including procurement, finance, and HR
• Conduct regular monitoring and spot checks of partner support functions to ensure  compliance to agreed standards

Grants management & compliance

• Ensure partnership tools meet donor requirements and allow for adaptation and flexibility, and advocate for these changes at the country and donor level .
• Lead grant opening meetings with partners and review key resources, including reporting templates, schedule of deadlines, communications processes, and highlight key parts of the sub-grant agreement.
• Maintain reporting trackers and review Narrative and financial  reports. Ensure partners have the correct templates and understand quality standards for reporting. 
• Monitor partner spending, ensuring partners are compliant with eligibility rules, and prepare agreement modifications as necessary.

Field Support

• Conduct field visits for supervision, monitoring and coaching.
• Document lessons learned and evidence of impact.
• Provide reporting inputs as needed

Accountability and coordination

• Ensure adherence to accountability standards.
• Support integration of gender, protection mainstreaming, localisation, and feedback mechanisms.
• Promote collaboration across departments

People Management

Provide on the job training as much as required and adapt trainings/coaching to specific staff needs within the partnerships.

Note: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

We offer.

Contract length: One (01) Year, with a possibility of extension depending on funding availability. 

Workplace: Abuja, Nigeria

Start date: When the right candidate is identified. 

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with the DRC National salary structure. This is contractually a national position for which local Nigerian terms and conditions apply. 

General Regulations:

Applications must include:

• A cover letter (1 page max) outlining motivation and suitability.
• An updated CV (max 4 pages).

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis due to urgency; therefore, a candidate who closely meets the requirements may be selected before the above deadline. Any submission after 15th September 2025 will not be considered.

Note: Only short-listed applicants will be invited for written tests and oral interviews.

• For general information about the Danish Refugee Council, please consult: www.drc.dk
• DRC is committed to diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity.