Partnership Officer At Care Best Initiative (CBI)

Posted on Thu 20th Mar, 2025 - ngojobsite.com --- (0 comments)

Job Title: Partnership Officer	Job type: Contractual
Job Location: Abuja, Nigeria	Region: Nigeria
Vacancy: 1	Department: Programme
Reports to: Programme Coordinator	Responsible for: Managing partnerships, advocacy and external stakeholders’ engagement at CBI-Nigeria

Care Best Initiative (CBI) is a government-registered and recognized woman-led and youth-driven national Non-Governmental Organization (NNGO) founded in 2019. Our mission is to save lives, alleviate the suffering of most vulnerable children, adolescents (lower and older), young people, women, and People with Disabilities (PWD); to maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters, among those affected by them; as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situation, and to promote their rights in the society. We have implemented various donor and self-funded projects/activities in several areas of humanitarian needs among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities. We are actively present in Northeast (Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, and Bauchi States) and Northwest (Zamfara, Sokoto, and Kebbi states) Nigeria. CBI employs a multi-sectorial stakeholder-engagement and community-inclusion approach to the implementation of all her programs and activities and is well experienced in advocacy, influencing awareness creation, and behavioural change programming. Our thematic areas of operations cut across sectors like Health (FP, SRH, HIV/AIDS & RI), Education, Nutrition (CMAM, MIYCN), Protection (GBV, Child Protection, GE&I), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Food Security & Livelihood (FSL) among others with the objectives to improve access to basic and reproductive health services and support distressed families. We also facilitate developmental programs, such as stakeholders’ advocacy campaigns against systemic and deep-rooted gender inequalities and barriers that will improve the socio-economic status of the most vulnerable (including orphans, PLWHA, PWDs, out-of-school children, Almajiri students, and Islamiyya students), promote infrastructural and environmental development, and promote equitable gender and social activities in communities. As our activities are also aimed at strengthening the resilience of the most vulnerable and building their capacity and self-reliance through education, sensitization, and awareness creation, CBI works in partnership with the Ministry of Budget and Planning, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, and Women’s Affairs, Ministry of Health as well as other relevant line-ministries for implementation. CBI also partners with other local and international partners and is an active member of several Clusters, working groups, and CSO Networks in all her states of operation and at the national level is a member of the Coalition of NGOs in Nigeria.

PURPOSE OF ROLE:

The Partnership Officer will be responsible for building, maintaining, and strengthening strategic relationships with donors, government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations. The role requires identifying and securing partnership opportunities, coordinating collaborative initiatives, and ensuring alignment between CBI’s objectives and those of external stakeholders. The officer will work closely with program teams to facilitate engagement with funding agencies, research institutions, and implementing partners, ensuring productive and sustainable collaborations that support CBI’s mission. Additionally, the Partnership Officer will play a critical role in positioning CBI within key humanitarian and development networks. This includes representing the organization in external meetings, fostering alliances with like-minded organizations, and ensuring CBI is actively engaged in relevant forums and consortiums. The role requires strong diplomatic, negotiation, and networking skills to cultivate high-value partnerships that enhance CBI’s ability to deliver impactful interventions.

JOB DESCRIPTION/PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
Rank	% Of Time
1	100%	Identify, establish, and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government agencies, international organizations, private sector actors, and NGOs. Representing CBI at meetings, forums, and working groups to strengthen institutional presence and visibility. Develop strategies to enhance CBI’s credibility and positioning within local, national, and international humanitarian and development networks. Identify partnership opportunities and facilitate the development of formal agreements, such as Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and collaboration frameworks. Work with program teams to align partnership efforts with organizational objectives and ensure successful implementation of joint initiatives. Serve as the primary liaison between CBI and its partners, ensuring effective communication and collaboration. Support fundraising efforts by identifying potential funding sources and coordinating with the Grants Officer to secure donor support. Advocate for CBI’s programs in external engagements, monitor relevant policies, and advise leadership on engagement strategies. Provide technical support and training to CBI staff on partnership engagement, donor relations, and stakeholder communication. Support internal learning by documenting best practices in partnership engagement and ensuring alignment with CBI’s strategic plan. *Staff Performance Management, Learning, and Development* Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork and mutual respect among partnership staff to enhance efficiency in stakeholder engagement and relationship management. Provide ongoing supervision and mentorship to direct-report staff, setting clear expectations, defining performance objectives, and conducting structured evaluations to track progress and address areas for improvement. Identify capacity-building needs within the partnership team and implement structured training programs, including workshops, peer learning sessions, and on-the-job coaching to enhance stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and donor relations skills. Encourage professional growth by facilitating staff participation in external networking events, partnership-building forums, donor engagement meetings, and relevant industry trainings to strengthen expertise in strategic collaboration. Work closely with Human Resources to document and address performance-related concerns within the partnership team, ensuring alignment with CBI’s employment policies and best practices in staff management. Promote staff well-being by supporting a balanced workload, providing necessary resources to mitigate stress, and fostering a culture where team members feel valued and motivated in their roles. Oversee time management within the partnership department by approving and tracking attendance, leave requests, and monthly timesheet submissions, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and project timelines.

JOB HOLDER ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):

Education: Bachelor’s degree in international relations, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.A master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage.Professional certification in Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership Management, or Nonprofit Leadership is a plus. Experience: At least 3 years of experience in partnership development, donor relations, stakeholder engagement, or corporate social responsibility (CSR), preferably within an NGO or development organization.Proven experience in building and managing partnerships with donors, government institutions, and private sector organizations.Strong knowledge of donor priorities, funding mechanisms, and partnership trends in the humanitarian and development sector.Demonstrated ability to represent organizations in high-level meetings, networks, and forums.Experience in drafting MoUs, partnership agreements, and strategic collaboration plans.Familiarity with multi-sectoral partnerships, advocacy efforts, and capacity-building initiatives.

Skills (Special Training or Competence):

Ability to observe and understand cultural and social contexts and reflect the understandings in programmingAbility to develop strategic approaches for partnership management and advocacy.Knowledge of donor-funded programs and NGO operations.High level of diplomacy, professionalism, and ability to manage complex relationshipsExcellent analytical and report writing skillsStrong community engagement and facilitation skillAttention to detail, keen at following procedures and meeting deadlinesAbility to organize tasks simultaneously and prioritize workStrong verbal and written communication skillsStrong interpersonal skills working with cross cultural and multi diverse teamsAbility to build strong working relationships for partnershipsStandards of Professional Conduct especially integrity, service, and accountabilityFluency in English Language

Key Behaviours:

Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity. Willingness to align with CBI’s core values, including empathy, integrity, and a commitment to service.Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.Social and receptive (active listener). High degree of integrity. Ability to work independently and as a part of the team, as the situation dictates. Pro-active and ready to take initiative. Ability to assimilate and handle a wide range of information efficiently and effectively. High level of stress tolerance and ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS (excluding own line manager and staff)
Internal Programme CoordinatorFinance and Support Services team Various staff based in all CBI core departments, as and when necessary (e.g. funding, MEAL, finance, logistics and procurement, etc.)	External • Partners • Consultants • Service Providers/Stakeholders (Other NGOs) • Government agencies • Community leaders/CBOs
HOW TO APPLY:
Click on these link to apply the advert will close on 31 March 2025. NOTE: Only applications submitted online will be reviewed Only one application email should be submitted as multiple submissions will be tantamount to automatic disqualification The deadline for submissions is 31 March 2025.By submitting your application for this position, you agree to CBI ZERO Tolerance to: Fraud Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, Abuse, and Child Abuse Our employees enjoy a work culture that promotes diversity and inclusion. Care Best Initiative (CBI) provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.