Overview
The Officer, Strategic Partnerships, and Resource Mobilization is responsible for coordinating and strengthening IFRC’s external engagement with donors and partners across the MENA region, with a focus on government partners, particularly from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Key Responsibilities
- Contribute to donor engagement workplans.
- Establish, maintain, and advance strategic partnerships with government partners, private sector, foundations, and multilateral partners.
- Lead the organization and delivery of meetings with external donors and partners.
- Act as partnerships focal point for IFRC MENA.
- Coordinate and channel support to National Societies and Country Delegations.
- Liaise with internal IFRC teams, regional offices, and delegations.
- Identify and propose opportunities to strengthen donor partnerships.
- Represent the Head of SPRM or Heads of Country Delegations in meetings.
- Coordinate with Gulf National Societies to advance resource mobilization and partnership opportunities.
- Support the development and advancement of strategic partnerships with GCC government donors and entities.
- Strengthen engagement with Gulf-based humanitarian funds, foundations, and philanthropic actors.
- Organize and provide end-to-end support to donor briefings, bilateral meetings, field visits, and high-level engagements with GCC partners.
- Analyze GCC donor priorities, funding trends, and geopolitical dynamics.
- Draft, maintain, and coordinate GCC donor contact lists, briefing kits, talking points, and background notes.
- Contribute to strengthening donor trust, visibility, and resource mobilization outcomes.
- Ensure effective coordination for compliance with donor requirements and earmarking criteria.
- Negotiate pledges and contributions with partners.
- Manage all information and data related to partnerships and funding.
- Coordinate among stakeholders to ensure pledges are properly and timely registered.
- Ensure budget holders and Finance team receive timely information on MoUs and donor requirements.
- Ensure timely follow-up on pledge payment arrangements.
- Review and ensure quality check of all donor reports.
- Provide regular reporting and analysis of the partner and funding landscape.
- Propose and coordinate actions to increase funding coverage for IFRC MENA Emergency Appeals and operational plans.
- Coordinate the proposal development and submission process.
- Facilitate external relations, including coordinating donor field visits and planning partnership meetings.
- Contribute to the SPRM MENA strategy, planning, and roll-out.
- Develop strategies and materials to market Emergency Appeals and country unified plans.
- Develop Funding Plans with the teams.
- Follow up on grant implementation, identify risks and mitigation actions, and resolve procedural or financial issues.
- Organize and lead internal coordination meetings related to donor engagement.
- Maintain knowledge management systems.
- Oversee the preparation of reports, donor updates, donor profiles, and presentations.
- Contribute to organizational learning by identifying trends, lessons learned, and best practices in donor engagement.
Required Experience
At least 5 years of relevant experience in donor relations, international organizations, or diplomatic engagement, of which 3 years in managing relations with donors and partners. Experience engaging Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Governments/ Gulf donors, humanitarian funds, and/or foundations. Experience in managing events, meetings, or projects in an international environment. Experience in external representation and/or government relations. Experience of developing funding proposals for international donors, monitoring and reporting, and of developing and implementing funding plans. Experience in coordinating/supporting cross-team initiatives across departments, regions, and delegations, ensuring clear objectives, timelines, and deliverables.
Qualifications
University degree in a relevant field (international relations, political science, communications, humanitarian affairs, business administration, economics or finance).
