The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.
Position Summary:
IRC is seeking a Private Sector Engagement Coordinator, to be based in Nairobi for its IKEA Foundation funded Euro 30 Million five year, urban livelihoods program: Refugees in East Africa: Boosting Urban Innovations for Livelihoods Development (Re:Build). Re: Build aims to support refugee and host communities in Nairobi and Kampala to achieve economic self-reliance by supporting: 1) Access to sustainable livelihoods (including employment and entrepreneurship, as well as financial inclusion); and 2) Ensuring that strong markets and effective and responsive city services are accessible to all. Re:Build is prioritizing market-based approaches to achieving these objectives, and in turn, is building a network of private sector partners in Nairobi and Kampala to collaborate on activities such as: apprenticeships, job placements, value chain development, and joint advocacy on issues of shared importance (e.g. refugee right-to-work).
The Private Sector Engagement Coordinator will report to the Project Director and will identify, develop, and manage strategic partnerships with private sector actors (local, national, and multinational). , following specifically for private sector partners: Pre-Award and Agreement Development; Partnership engagement and Management, and Capacity Sharing. The Private Sector Engagement Coordinator will take the lead in liaison and communication with Private sector partners, representing Re: Build in negotiations of contractual terms between potential private sector actors and the IRC legal and Awards Management Units.
Job Responsibilities:
Relationship Management
• Provide guidance to the Re:Build team on private sector scoping and engagement, including supporting the development of ‘business cases’ to achieve new partnerships and strengthen existing ones.
• Develop tailored contact strategies and compelling pitch presentations for prospective partners
• Manage interactions with prospective and actual private sector partners
Manage the Re:Build Private Partner database, including working with program teams to ensure partnership commitments are realized.
Pre-Award and Agreement Development Support
• Lead on new private partnership contracting processes, including supporting selection of appropriate agreement types, conducting vetting and due diligence processes, and working closely with service delivery teams to develop Scope of Work documents and budgets.
• Provide guidance to prospective private sector partners on IRC’s partnership policies and procedures.
• Act as key focal point for communications with private sector partners, representing Re:Build in negotiations of contractual terms that the program will enter into.
• Coordinate communication between Re:Build and prospective private sector partners and liaise with relevant IRC staff in the region, country programs, IRC Legal and Awards Management Units, and the donor (where relevant) to ensure timely contractual development.
Partner Support and Capacity Sharing
• Collaborate with technical coordinators to integrate technical capacity sharing approaches, including how IRC can learn from private sector partners.
• Promote and identify ways for continual learning between IRC staff and private partners.
• Develop and manage processes to routinely gather private sector feedback to enhance program delivery.
Job Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in business, international development, law, social science, or commensurate professional experience
• At least 3-5 years in a similar or related role, preferably with a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)
• Experience in relationship management, ideally with private sector actors
• Experience in partnership development, with a strong preference for partnerships in humanitarian or international development contexts
• Strong negotiation skills and understanding of contracting and/or sub-award processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; demonstrated ability to liaise with a variety of people effectively in a fast paced, multi-cultural environment, and to work with a virtual team.
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).
• Previous experience working in private sector in Uganda and Kenya preferred.
Working environment:
Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Diversity Equality, and Inclusion (DEI), Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.
Narrowing the Gender Gap: The International Rescue Committee is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including a flexible hour (when possible), maternity leave, transportation support, and gender-sensitive security protocols.
Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants based on merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws
WOMEN, MINORITIES AND PEOPLE LIVING WITH DISABILITIES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY.
More Information
- Job City Nairobi
