Resource Mobilization CoE Partnership Manager (801212)

Contract

This is a ICRC - Max term contract. More about ICRC - Max term contracts.

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Context

Today's conflicts are often protracted and increasingly encroaching urbanized, middle-income countries, generating growing, diversifying and complex humanitarian needs, requiring wider systemic responses leveraging the resources and capacities of the entire aid eco-system. The latter is accordingly undergoing significant change and the humanitarian-development nexus is more relevant than ever, with extreme poverty expected to predominantly aggregate in fragile, conflict-affected, and violent environments (FCV) by 2030. This has led to a rising commitment from national and multilateral development banks and agencies (Development Actors or DAs) to become engaged in FCV.

As it has been doing for the last 160 years, the ICRC is exploring and seeking partnerships to facilitate the delivery of its mission and live up to the spirit of its mandate to protect the lives and dignity of victims of armed conflict and other situations of violence, and to provide them with assistance. Such partnerships involve amongst others, the combining of the resources and capacities of different actors – including DAs – as per comparative advantages, to secure the highest possible bearing.

Purpose of the position

In line with its 2019-2024 Institutional Strategy and 2020-2030 Institutional Resource Mobilization Strategy, the ICRC intends to further engage with DAs to improve and expand the sustainable humanitarian impact (SHI) it aims to have on conflict and violence affected communities. While this path is three pronged, i.e. (i) shaping humanitarian and diplomacy policy and agenda; (ii) leveraging knowledge and expertise exchanges; and, (iii) exploring operational collaboration potential, ICRC’s Resource Mobilisation Division’s Development Centre of Expertise (DA CoE) focuses on the latter. The CoE’s purpose is to contribute meaningfully to the ICRC’s mandate through its specialist knowledge of, as well as active outreach to, DAs.

The DA CoE leads and orchestrates the institution’s stewardship on the fundraising facet of the engagement with DAs, whether national development agencies (NDAs) multilateral development banks (MDBs/IFIs), or (climate) funds. It develops the Division’s competence and expertise required, as well as wider institutional adaptations needed to effectively connect with DAs. The CoE leads the outreach with other peers to successfully enlist these actors as reliable backers of the ICRC’s mission in a consistent, coherent and concerted fashion.

The Partnership Manager (PM) is the steward of the relationship with selected European NDAs and EU (Development and International Cooperation instruments), aimed at developing and securing their broadened and deepened financial support for the delivery of the ICRC’s mandate. The initial term is fixed at 12 months, with the option of renewal for another 12 months. After that, there will be the option of entering into a permanent contract.

Relationships

• Internally: Interacts with peers from other Mobilzation, Movement and Partnerships Division, our Operations division (including at delegation level) as well as our Specialist and Thematic experts. Also interacts closely with the Brussels delegation at operational, thematic and political levels.
• Externally: Interacts with working-level counterparts of selected European NDAs and EU (Development and International Cooperation instruments), namely DG INTPA, DG NEAR and FPI.

General duties

• Understands and adheres to the seven Fundamental Principles of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
• Understands and adheres to the ICRC Code of Conduct;
• Understands the roles of the components of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement;
• Respects and observes staff regulations and security rules at all times;
• Represents the ICRC in a professional manner at all times;
• Develops and maintains a pleasant and conducive working environment with colleagues and line managers;
• Performs all duties with the highest level of confidentiality in the interest of the employees and the ICRC;
• May be asked to perform tasks not covered in this job description and to provide support to other departments when necessary.

Main duties & responsibilities part 1

Funding to deliver the mission and Ensuring financial security (70%)

• Crafts and provides stewardship for the fundraising strategy with selected European NDAs and EU Development and International Cooperation instruments, including the arbitration process, with which to engage with;
• Prospects jointly with relevant ICRC peers, new potentials and opportunities for operational collaborations contracts with selected European NDAs and EU Development and International Cooperation instruments;
• Specifically, develops an analysis of requirements and conditions (normative, fiduciary, programmatic) of the ‘Global Europe’ instruments likely to pose contractual challenges, identifying the associated risks/friction points/red lines, and potential solutions;
• Thereupon, maps a process and roadmap with milestones and relevant segments to negotiate a framework agreement with needed DGs and services (INTPA, NEAR, FPI), required to access funds under NDICI, in indirect management mode;
• Leads and liaises on all tasks related to financing contracts: negotiation, drafting, managing, closing, etc.;
• Contributes to the CoE’s analysis and aggregation of theoretical and empirical learning and best practices when it comes to the practical and normative dimensions of organizational interoperability, as well as the development of standard processes, fundraising models, performance frameworks, and tools.

An enabling brand (20%)

• Manages relations with selected European NDAs and EU Development and International Cooperation instruments counterparts, and widens relevant networks, whether at the Field, HQ, working or high levels;
• Steers skilfully the networked approach required for engaging with NDAs, working closely with relevant ICRC colleagues at the global level;
• Monitors and influences evolving interests and trends of selected European NDAs and EU Development and International Cooperation instruments to inform ICRC’s fundraising strategy and offering;

Main duties & responsibilities part 2

An enabling brand continued (20%):

• Together with peers both at HQ and in the Field identifies and leverage key events allowing to widen and deepen ICRC’s relationship with selected European NDAs and EU Development and International Cooperation instruments;
• Together with peers, selects, arbitrates and crafts the products to initiate discussions on, the topics and issues that could feature in fundraising-oriented communication, how reporting should be framed, etc. for selected European NDAs and EU Development and International Cooperation instruments;
• Represents the ICRC at selected European NDAs and EU Development and International Cooperation instruments workshops, conferences and others, as relevant.

A fundraising organization (10%)

• Contributes through the CoE and exchanges with the Clearing House to inform adaptations required in ICRC’s various "ways of doing business" when it comes to how development actors expect to engage, whether linked e.g. to normative considerations, transaction costs, practical organizational-fit issues, etc.;
• Co-leads in the networked approach on engaging DAs, ensuring it does not generate intra-ICRC competition, uproot its principled anchor, weaken institutional coherence, or divert field resources from engaging with affected populations;
• Provides fundraising ‘services’ to Delegations, Regions, Métiers, etc. supporting and leveraging colleagues’ expertise to engage with DAs knowledgeably, sharing the necessary awareness and skills, ensuring streamlined information flow, a consistent and well-integrated approach.

Certification & education required

• Master’s degree in international relations, development, business administration/ a relevant field, or equivalent experience;
• Excellent command of English required; French and additional languages an asset;
• Strong Computer proficiency.

Professional experience required

• Proven track record of successfully delivering a financial income in complex partnerships;
• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience;
• Experience working with DAs, knowledge of their organizational culture, structure and processes, as well as familiarity with their work;
• Knowledge of partnership and contracting processes within DG INTPA or DG NEAR;
• Thorough knowledge of the European Union's external action instruments, procedures and regulations, as well as the practical guide on contract procedures for European Union external action (PRAG);
• Track record in advising development organisations or agencies on EU contracting rules and legal and contractual requirements;
• Track record in developing analysis of humanitarian and development-related trends and policies;
• Familiarity with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including the ICRC, and other international humanitarian and/or development organizations an asset.

Additional information

• Working rate: 100%
• Location: Brussels, Belgium
• Job level: C1
• Type of contract: Maximum duration contract
• Length of assignment: 12 months (with a high possibility of renewal for another 12 months)
• Type of position: Resident
• Starting date: January 2023
• Application deadline: Tuesday, the 11th of October 2023

Are you ready for the next chapter of your career? Apply today!

The ICRC values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates.