The Senior Advisor- Accountability and Partnerships reports directly to the Program Quality and Learning Coordinator. S/he will serve as country office technical lead of the partnership and accountability efforts towards quality design and implementation of CARE’s programs that ensure women empowerment and gender equality. The position holder will coordinate partnerships and accountability related tasks within the CO. S/he will be instrumental in ensuring CARE Ethiopia’s impact at scale strategy is achieved with a vibrant partnership building and acc. The position holder will be a key personnel and leads CARE’s partnership and accountability initiative. The advisor leads/conducts capacity building efforts on strategic partnership at county office level. S/he will oversight any kinds of formative research on social accountability and partnership strengthening at county office level. The senior advisor will oversee the integration of accountability and partnership in CARE and among partners, advice monitoring, evaluation and learning events. The advisor will also serve as the main point of contact for all the country office for partnership and accountability communications internally and at the global level to ensure CARE Ethiopia is fully represented. 

The senior advisor will drive CARE’s approach in its program priorities working with strategic partners contributing to enhanced results and competitiveness. S/he will increase the visibility of CARE’s work to donors and peers, including governmental, non-governmental, private sector, research institutes and community partners. The position holder is responsible to facilitate the identification of strategic partners, maintain relations for mutual learning and capacity enhancement. Besides, the position holder will lead the monitoring of partner’s performance for timely corrective actions and mutual accountability. Maintaining smooth communication, networking and team management are important functions of the position holder. The Sr. Advisor will focus on meeting the challenges of advancing CARE Ethiopia’s Strategic Plan, in particular its impact at scale, accountability, and women Empowerment programming. The position holder is responsible for building the skills of staff (CARE’s supervisors and partners) to understand and apply approaches and frameworks in the areas of partnership and accountability.

 Job Responsibility

Job Responsibility #1: Analysis, Strategy, Reporting and Design (time: 40%)

• Lead the identification, nurtures relationship & alliance with strategic partners
• Periodically updates the country office partnership strategy and plans to operationalize the strategy;
• Designs partner selection processes for a range of different types of partners, including but not limited to Government, NGO, private sector and research institutions
• Leads the identification, selection and orientation of new partners (during bids, project designs);
• Participates in projects detailed implementation plans (DIP) and annual reviews, to ensure alignment with CO partnership and facilitation commitments;
• Supports review process by projects on their partnership practices and facilitate improvement;
• Produces annual review report on partnership practices in CARE Ethiopia;  
• Develops accountability strategy of the CO in collaboration with other project staff;
• Develops indicators to measure results in the areas of partnership and accountability;
• Facilitates the adoption & ensure implementation of strategic partnership guidelines & other CARE standards as appropriate;
• Technical supports partner of the consortium in developing or operationalizing a strategic partnership.
• Ensure that the accountability and partnership analysis results inform the project design and implementation
• Ensure partnership & impact at scale scores are widely shared with all programs that CARE implements 
• Develops and periodically updates country office strategies on partnership and accountability
• Participates in projects detailed implementation plans (DIP), at the start-up and annual reviews, to ensure integration of partnership principles and utilization of proper tools and to ensure and assess project responsiveness to gender equality and women’s voice

Job Responsibility #2 Capacity Building and Technical Assistance for staffs and partners (time: 35%)

• Establishes staff and key partner induction and ongoing training processes on CARE Ethiopia’s partnership and accountability framework; 
• Conducts capacity assessment and based on the results, prepares plans and advises project delivery unit on key learning competency and skill requirements in staff and partners;
• Leads the development and facilitation of trainings for partners and staff development on partnership and accountability specific initiatives;
• Continuously updates staff and partners on emerging issues to enhance and sustain conceptual clarity and awareness of partners and others’ best practices;
• Participates in the selection of and support to external, temporary technical assistance (consultants, interns, networks) in the areas of on accountability and partnership as required;
• Lead/Works with the relevant line ministries and other relevant government structures to facilitate partnership activities and monitoring in the operational areas;
• Designs and leads partnership surveys, analyze results and write reports;
• Advises and helps promote appropriate community mobilization strategies around accountability;
• Documents and shares lessons/results of partnership and accountability.
• Lead staff transformation sessions with project teams and support the staff transformation work of project partners, including government partners.
• Designs capacity assessments for the full range of different partnerships listed above
• Conducts capacity gap analysis and develops action plans to build capacity of specific partners
• Sets up system to monitor CARE’s partnership performance/achievements & ensure consistent actions
• Facilitates orientation sessions to partners to comply to donors and CARE policies and procedures
• Arranges experience sharing forums for CARE partners
• Organizes periodic refresher trainings on partnership approaches and techniques
• Conduct annual partnership learning forum for all partners to discuss and learn how to improve CARE Ethiopia’s partnership processes, communication and strategies with partners

Job Responsibility #3: Learning, Policy Implementation, and Networking (time: 20%)

• Keeps up to date with developments in partnership and accountability including best practice in-country, regionally and globally, and ensure ongoing personal development and learning;
• Support the use of project/programs accountability and impact at scale learning into evidence-based policy influence;
• Identifies, establishes & maintains productive relationships with like-minded non-government organizations;
• Together with other PQL Advisors, lead the effort to measure the impact and document lessons learned and best practices (accountability and partnership)
• Actively engage in program evaluations & assessment & based on the assessment outcomes provide strategic recommendation to further strengthen program intervention on areas of impact at scale;
• Handles correspondence with CARE Regional Management Unit and CARE International in relation to partnership development and accountability.
• Collaborate with other partnership advisors/Officers in the organization to support the strategic direction of the organization towards strategic partnerships.
• Establishes and maintains formal and informal communication mechanisms with government
• Identify, establishes and maintains productive relationships with networks and partners
• Participates in the documentation & dissemination of lessons learnt related to partnership practices

Job Responsibility #4: Representation and Others (time: 5%)

• Participates in different partnership related task forces and working groups within CARE, at national and International level and others as needed;
• Represent CARE professionally when delegated/authorized;
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Represents CARE in partnership forums
• Organizes and participates in cross-visits within CARE and with other organizations
• S/he will be responsible to develop appropriate skill shifts required of field staff and other staff as we move from being a direct implementation organization to a partnership/facilitation organization
• The person could be given with new tasks as are needed and is expected to execute to meet expectations as any employee of the organization.

 PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment)

The reason for this senior position is to ensure CARE’s strategic partnership and accountability is in place. The incumbent must use interpersonal skills to choose the right strategy to address a given problem and also has to deal with variable solutions, which need analysis, problem definition and development of alternative solutions. This position requires innovative thinking and the ability to network and communicate broadly and strategically.

 GENDER EQUALITY

• Understanding and demonstrated commitment to the importance of gender, youth and social inclusion issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Gender Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and PSEAH (safeguarding), as evidenced in previous positions / programming

Job Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS (KNOW HOW)

EDUCATION/TRAINING

Required:

Bachelor's Degree in relevant disciplines i.e. Social Science, Rural Development, applied economics and other related.

Desired:

Master's degree anthropology, Sociology, Developmental Studies and professional training in partnership or related fields.

 EXPERIENCE

Required: 6 years’ relevant experience with post graduate degree and 7 years of experience for BSC/A degree in Developmental related areas, conversant with adult learning and training of trainers, methodologies, practical experience in women and livelihoods programming.

Desired: 

• NGO experience in similar roles
• Experience working with diverse partners
• Research and development
• Policy advocacy

 TECHNICAL SKILLS

Required:

• Excellent planning, organizational, analytical and decision making skills
• Demonstrated excellent networking and negotiation skills
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English
• Proactive, initiative taker who builds partnerships and relationships within and outside of CARE
• Excellent demonstrated analytical skills in the field capacity building and partnership, understanding of different stakeholders, and a progressive perspective and ability to articulate image that reflect CARE’s efforts as a champion of the poor, marginalized and promoter of social justice and gender equality
• Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, sensitivity to HIV/AIDS, transparent and participatory management.
• Excellent and proven experience in strategic planning and ability to effectively articulate strategy to internally and external stakeholders

Desired:

• Demonstrated technical and managerial ability, sound judgment, and ability to interact and work effectively with others at all levels.
• Having worked in a similar role in the last not less than for 5 years.

 COMPETENCIES

• Respect, integrity, diversity, excellence, adaptability, stress tolerance, coaching, initiating action, communicating with impact, innovation, planning and organizing, building partnership and commitment, facilitating change, adaptability, and contributing to team success

 WORKING CONDITIONS AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED. 

This position is located in Addis Ababa, with up to 30-40 % field travel

How to Apply

CARE Ethiopia is committed to preventing all unwanted behavior at work. This includes sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, and child abuse. We expect everyone who works for us to share this commitment by understanding and working within the CARE Safeguarding Policy and related framework. CARE Ethiopia has a zero-tolerance approach to any harm to, or exploitation of, a vulnerable adult or child by any of our staff, representatives or partners.

CARE Ethiopia reserves the right to seek information from job applicants’ current and/or previous employers about incidents of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment the applicant may have been found guilty to have committed or about which an investigation was in the process of being carried out at the time of the termination of the applicant’s employment with that employer.

By submitting the application, the job applicant confirms that s/he has no objection to CARE Ethiopia requesting the information specified above. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. 

If you are interested to be part of our dynamic team, exciting work environment and contribute to CARE Ethiopia’s mission and vision, please send your CV (not more than 3 pages) and cover letter (not more than one page) through Ethio Jobs 

Note: Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Passionate and dedicated candidates who meet the requirement are strongly encouraged to apply, especially women! CARE seeks to improve the lives of the most marginalized, particularly women and girls. Our diversity is our strength. We encourage people from all backgrounds and experiences to apply.