GRANTS AND PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR

Position Description

Location: Abuja, Nigeria (With an estimated 30% travel to other program locations)

Position Status: STA, 3-Months

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within. Now, and for the future. Mercy Corps has been working in Nigeria since 2012 in the most marginalized regions of the country to deliver urgent, lifesaving assistance and promote development. We partner with communities to help them recover and rebuild, while addressing root causes of conflict, insecurity, and inequality. Every month we help ensure that more than 100,000 people have enough food to eat, and our work impacts the lives of over 600,000 people across the country.

Program / Department Summary

Mercy Corps Nigeria (MCN) has a mixed portfolio comprising of projects and programs that meets urgent humanitarian needs, strengthens governance and addresses root causes of conflicts and builds resilience to long term development. MCN operates in Northeast, Northwest, Northcentral and South of Nigeria implementing various projects focusing on peace building, livelihoods, and water and food security. These projects are funded by USG, EU and other private foundations.

General Position Summary 

The Grants and Partnership Coordinator will support in partner and stakeholder mapping and engagement and inter-agency coordination and workshops. The role reports to the Partnerships and New Initiatives (PNI) Manager and works closely with the Reporting Specialist and Director of Programs. The position is based in Abuja and requires 30% travel to field sites.

Essential Job Responsibilities 

Partnership Engagement

• Lead in strategic partner and stakeholder mapping of relevant civil society, private sector and government institutions.
• Build and maintain relationships with local and international partners, and other key stakeholders.

• Lead on partner communication, discussions, and recommendations. Keep record of partner mapping criteria and key discussions.

• Identify and foster collaborations that align with the organization's goals.
• Negotiate, draft, and manage teaming agreements.

• Ensure internal and external planning and coordination, including administration and logistics processes, for meetings and partner engagements.
• Work closely with subawards team to conduct relevant capacity assessments and due diligence processes of relevant partners.

Inter-Agency Coordination

• Assist in team meeting and workshop logistics, including agenda development, travel logistics, notetaking, communication and small group facilitation.
• Plan, coordinate calendars and take notes during team meetings.
• Follow-up on key action items and bring key departments/colleagues together for coordination.
• Lead on communications for key tasks and inter-departmental coordination.
• Lead on development key documents, such as workplans and coordination matrices.
• Follow-up on key deadlines and action items.
• Be the “go between” for internal colleagues, consultant(s) and partners/stakeholders.
• Support with assessment logistics and implementation, as needed by program teams.

Supervisory Responsibility

None

Accountability 

Reports Directly To: Partnerships and New Initiatives (PNI) Manager

Works Directly With: Director of Programs, Humanitarian & Sustainable Solutions Director, Team Leads, Europe and Global Program Officers for Africa, Mercy Corps Nigeria Country Director, Director of Programs, Humanitarian and Sustainable Solutions Director, Reporting Specialist, MEL Country Manager and various program, technical and finance staff

Knowledge and Experience 

• Bachelor’s degree in development or similar area required; Master’s Degree preferred
• At least 5 years of relevant, professional experience in similar field required
• Strong English communication, editing and documentation skills
• Proposal development experience preferred
• Strong analytical and writing skills
• Ability to lead and take ownership of key processes
• Ability to coordinate and work within strict timelines
• Organized
• Strong attention to detail
• Creative

Success Factors

The ideal candidate will have a strong curiosity for understanding and working effectively within the complex cultural, political, security and social environment of Nigeria. He/She will be an excellent communicator, a creative writer, multi-tasker, and able to work in ambiguous situations. He/She will be a tolerant and flexible individual able to work in difficult and stressful environments and follow procedures.  

Mercy Corps team members represent the agency both during and outside work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/STA to a field posting. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Fostering a diverse and open workplace is an important part of Mercy Corps’ vision.  Mercy Corps is an Equal Opportunity Employer regardless of background. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Abuja and requires up to 30% travel to field offices which may include travel to insecure locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

This position requires obtaining medical clearance through the successful completion of a medical assessment by an external third party prior to deployment and following any medical evacuation if applicable. If you are not medically cleared and Mercy Corps cannot reasonably accommodate a medical condition if required, you may not be able to deploy for/return to this position

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.