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Job Purpose The partnership and LHL officer work in close coordination with the partnership unit (Coordinator & Finance Officer), programme and Support teams in implementing the vision and strategy for the Oxfam South Sudan’s approach to partnership and local leadership and its implementation across the country. The partnership and LHL officer (PC) has a responsibility to support partnership capacity conversation, development of subsequent capacity strengthening plans, engage in Local Humanitarian Leadership (LHL) including supporting localization coordination platforms/networks while maintaining relationships with CSOs, local government institution, INGOs and donors in advancing locally led humanitarian coordination, advocacy, and response.

This role together with the partnership coordinator (PC) implement Partnership & LHL strategy, adapt, and enhance tools, processes and frameworks as needed and ensure the LHL/localisation approach is integrated into Oxfam South Sudan’s humanitarian approach. Together with the PC shall further ensure and support government agencies and civil society organisations to be adequately involved in project activities and that they are taking part in formal coordination activities including clusters.

Position: Partnership & Local Humanitarian Leadership (LHL) Officer

Location: Juba

Grade & Level: D Zone 1 National

Contract Type: Fixed Term

Number of post reporting: Project Partners

Key Areas of Responsibilities and Accountabilities

Technical

The Partnership and LHL Officer in close coordination and collaboration with the PC will do the following roles and responsibilities.

1. Capacity Assessment and Support,

• Support the implementation of the Humanitarian System Strengthening (HST) through LHL project at national and sub-national level.
• Support partnership assessments for new partners using Oxfam International approved minimum requirements,
• Support in development of the partner contracts (and related annexes), ensuring a shared change goal for the joint and a broader and evolving partnership.
• Support compilation of partners assessment reports where new partners shall be identified.
• Collaborate with the program quality team to support partner capacity building and survey/research support,
• Collaborate with the core department to ensure all partners support from capacity development on safeguarding, gender minimum standards in emergencies and humanitarian advocacy.

1. Program Management,

• Support in the organisation of inception/kick off meetings and the development of workplans, spending plans, and procurement plans for partners under HST though LHL projects and any other assigned.
• Support partners in assessing risks and opportunities of collaboration, assessing capacities in terms of strengths and gaps to meet objectives.
• Support to develop and elaborate a plan for partnership monitoring (including of budgets) and carry out regular monitoring visits to partners.
• Ensure that the partnership complaint mechanism is integrated in the projects existing mechanism, including a Safeguarding reporting mechanism to allow for full accountability.
• Support strengthening of Oxfam’s South Sudan partners’ internal controls, the capability to utilise grants and maintain an adequate management and information system in order to increase accountability and the timeliness, quality and reliability of reporting.
• Work closely with the MEAL Unit to ensure that partners are supported to build effective monitoring systems for the programme and staff and carry out regular monitoring visits to partners.
• In consultations with technical program staff involved in technical capacity building process whenever related support is required.

1. Partnership Management

• Coordinate the involvement of all staff in ongoing support to partners and in reporting obligations.
• Support and coordinate efforts of Oxfam South Sudan about the management of partnerships.
• Ensure the quality of partnerships through effective coordination, relationship management and sustaining the delivery of quality capacity building support.
• Regularly consult with Oxfam and Partner staff in producing comprehensive and informative reports that inform the country programme.
• To inspire and energize the program team, and to champion positive and innovative ways of working to promote a learning environment on working with partners.

1. LHL/Localization Coordination

• Facilitate planning, execution, and monitoring of joint projects with partners, ensuring alignment with objectives and timelines.
• Coordinate with internal teams to provide leadership and advocacy capacity strengthening to the partners.
• Support and advocate for the participation of the local/national organization localization coordination platforms, network, and cluster.

1. LHL/Localization Advocacy

• Align LHL/localization project advocacy activities with the organization’s strategy and advocacy goal, ensuring shared objectives.
• Lead in ensuring the project implementation aligns toward achieving project advocacy and learning questions developed.
• Facilitate partner input into advocacy initiatives, amplifying their voices and priorities in relevant LHL/localization platforms and discussions.

Required Technical Skills, Experience & Knowledge

Essential

• Holds undergraduate in Project planning and management, International Cooperation and humanitarianism, Social Arts and Science, any other relevant humanitarian courses.
• Formal training in partnership and localization will be added advantages.
• At least 3- 5 years of experience in international organizations and humanitarian settings, specifically in project management, partnership, local Humanitarian Leadership/localization, grants, and reporting.
• Skills and experience in managing and coordinating with multiple partners concurrently is highly regarded.
• Previous experience in working with local actors in a conflict/fragile country and previous experience in overall partnership localization advocacy, capacity building of CBOs, and experience in developing an operational capacity building toolkit and monitoring system/tool all strongly regarded.
• Proven excellent project implementation and coordination skills required.
• Proven record of consortium management or co-leadership will be an added advantage.
• Understanding of partnerships management support which encourages participation, articulates the rights of partners, alongside managing relational issues.
• Experience in working with, and good working knowledge of local actors of a variety of capacities both technically and operationally.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity, and flexibility.
• Comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Good knowledge of the humanitarian and development sectors in South Sudan, and the relevant INGO’s, NGO’s, UN, Governmental institutions, and Donor.
• Flexibility in working overtime when needed.
• Strong level of computer literacy (Microsoft Word, Excel and Power point);
• Full proficiency in spoken and written English required.