About the Context

Since 2015, NRC Nigeria has been working to help displacement affected communities meet their basic needs, improve their livelihoods, access essential services, and enhance their resilience to future shocks through our six Core Competencies: Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Shelter, Education, Information, Counselling and Legal Assistance (ICLA), Livelihoods and Food Security (LFS), Camp Management, and Protection. 

NRC provides immediate assistance during the onset of emergencies through the Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). In 2021, NRC reached over 269,000 people with assistance. 

NRC is expanding partnership portfolio of local partners in Nigeria - including national and local government authorities, civil society organizations, and private sector actors, to scale up services delivery and enhance localization commitments.

Find out more about NRC https://www.nrc.no/ and Watch this short video to see NRC in action https://vimeo.com/736782633

What we are looking for 

The Partnership Manager provides technical leadership for NRC’s partnership approach in Nigeria, embedding principled localisation within country strategies, programmes, and internal systems. The role ensures quality across partnership processes, capacity development of NRC staff and local partners, and harmonisation of tools and workflows.

What you will do 

Responsible for the development and implementation of partnership strategy in line with the global Policy on Partnerships with Local actors and the Local Actor Partnership Handbook, contextualized to the Nigeria response context.

Provide strategic advice, technical support and capacity building support across Country Office and Area Offices on partnership issues.

Ensure compliance with and adherence to NRC policies, guidance and procedures.

Promote relationships of mutual respect and mutual learning with partners.

Responsible for the management of the full cycle of the Project Implementation Agreements (PIA) process ensuring full involvement of local partners from strategic planning, due diligence, project design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and learning and audit.

Coordinate and oversee the co-development and co-implementation of capacity strengthening action plans addressing partners’ specific organizational development needs.

Actively promote SIP (Safe and Inclusive Programming) standards and principles within NRC and amongst project participants supported by NRC.

Please download the detailed job description to learn more about the position Partnership Manager Nigeria - JD.pdf

What you will bring 

Professional Competencies 

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related area. Master’s degree preferred but not mandatory

Minimum 5 years of experience of partnership management, grants management and programmatic implementation in a humanitarian/recovery context 

Good skills and experience in all aspects of programme cycle management - design and development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation 

Experience of working in complex and volatile contexts 

Experience in mainstreaming protection concepts within a humanitarian operation.   

Ability to coordinate tasks and work processes and work with short deadlines 

Documented results related to the position’s responsibilities 

Experience with facilitating and leading internal organisational processes. 

Fluency in English, both written and verbal 

Context related skills, knowledge and experience 

Previous experience of working with local partners 

Diplomacy and facilitation skills are essential 

Excellent coordination, communication (verbal and written) and networking skills

Advanced computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, Power Point and Outlook.   

 Behavioural competencies 

Strategic thinking 

Initiate action and change 

Empowering and building trust 

Influencing and consensus building 

Coordinating and communicating effectively   

Leadership and conflict resolution   

What we offer 

 **This position is open to Local Applicants Only** The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is a global humanitarian organisation helping people forced to flee.  Join us in assisting millions of people in areas where others cannot, tackling some of the world's most dangerous and difficult crises. Bring your skills and dedication to an organisation recognised for providing high quality aid and for defending the rights of refugees and internally displaced people.  At NRC, we give responsibility to employees at all levels and foster professional growth and innovative teams. You can expect a supportive culture and an open dialogue with management. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion.  Together, we save lives and rebuild futures. Safeguarding is central to NRC’s work. We expect all employees to:  • treat everyone with respect and dignity  • contribute to building a safe environment for all  • never engage in any form of exploitation, harassment and specifically sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment (SEAH)  • always report. NRC has a zero-tolerance approach to inaction against exploitation, abuse and SEAH

At NORCAP, we work to better protect and empower people affected by crises and climate change. With expertise in the humanitarian, development and peacebuilding sectors, we collaborate with local, national and international partners on finding solutions to meet the needs of people at risk. NORCAP is part of the Norwegian Refugee Council.