Senior Advisor, Partnership and Program Development Full Time NEW

Location: Tanzania or Ethiopia

Reports to: Director, Program Development

Position Type: Full-time

Classification: Tanzanian or Ethiopian employee

Status: Local National, must be eligible to work in Tanzania or Ethiopia

Language requirements: English mandatory

Salary: To be determined based on location and paid in local currency

ABOUT CUSO INTERNATIONAL

Cuso International is an international cooperation and development organization that works to create economic and social opportunities for marginalized groups. Together with our partners, we are focused on efforts to advance gender equality and social inclusion, improve economic resilience, and deliver progress on climate action. We believe that by sharing skills, we can build better futures. Cuso presently supports programs implemented in Africa, Canada, Central an South America, and the Caribbean. Find out more at www.cusointernational.org

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Cuso International is looking for a leader driven by passion and principle to advance human progress in all its forms, including social justice, human rights, gender equality, environmental sustainability and economic development. A person who has learned firsthand the opportunities and challenges of the development sector to contribute to a better world through their work with communities, civil society, governments and the private sector; in particular through program design, innovation and partnerships. You will be responsible for networking, partnership development, program design, and development in Anglophone Africa, focusing on Tanzania, Ethiopia, and Nigeria.

Your role includes developing innovative strategies, new projects and partnerships that are aligned with Cuso International’s Strategic Plan 2023-2027 and Cuso’s Program Development Strategy.

The postholder will be required to lead the establishment of new partnerships to advance the success of Cuso’s SHARE project, and to leverage SHARE to design new projects across the region, including preparation of concept notes and proposals. You will work closely with Cuso colleagues and partners for the diversification of Cuso International’s donor base, including identification of potential funding opportunities outside of usual channels, leveraging existing projects and relationships, as well as actively influencing thematic debates.

To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the postholders will be expected to have a solid technical understanding in one or more of the following areas including: gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), economic resilience, environment and climate action (ECA), as well as the development of such programmes.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

Partnership and Networking:

• Complete a mapping of donors and potential partners and meet with them to discuss potential collaboration and opportunities.
• Maintain and develop a strong portfolio of partners, fostering collaboration within the SHARE program (ex. regular communication and coordination with Cuso SHARE Program Officers in each country, and engagement with partners) and on program development in line with Cuso International’s strategic and operational plans.
• Focus particular attention on working closely with lead / key SHARE partners in each country, co-developing concept notes and proposals, and supporting them to secure sustainable funding.
• Build and maintain relationships through local, regional and international networks, alliances, forums or events to expand Cuso International’s programs through donors, partners, government officials or other relevant agencies.
• Network and promote Cuso International’s programs with donors, partners, government officials, private sector and/or other relevant agencies.
• Coordinate with the Program Quality and Impact Team on the design of mechanisms to identify partners, tools for partnership management, and evaluation of the impact of partnerships.
• Engage with and collaborate with potential and current partners to explore opportunities for increasing impact and innovation.
• Represent Cuso International in public fora as required, including participation in sector coalitions.

Program Development:

• Build and be accountable for a pipeline of program development opportunities, including those building on SHARE, including identifying new donors, securing new funding, tracking pipeline progress and reporting on program development success in the region.
• Lead on assessment of donor opportunities, including analysis of likelihood of success.
• Pre-position Cuso International for funding opportunities by conveying the quality of our approach, team and capability compellingly to donors and local partners through writing and delivering clear, accessible and well-structured pitches, documents and presentations.
• Participate in partner negotiation/engagement for design of new projects and development of proposals.
• Lead the design and development of new regional and country projects in coordination with Cuso colleagues and partners.
• Participate in the preparation of concept notes and proposals, including consultations, gender and environment analyses, outlining of activities, and budget development.
• Meet program development targets for the geographic area covered.
• Knowledge management of donor, partner, and proposal information, for example in Raiser’s Edge or SharePoint..

Other:

• Fulfill other responsibilities, as required by the Cuso central team, from time to time.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally and locally when required (up to 30% of the year)

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Education:

• University Degree or Master’s Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.

Experience:

• A proven track record of securing funding for programming (projects USD $5 million and more)
• Strong network of regional and international donors and strategic partners
• Experience working with and securing funding from a diversified donor base, such as Global Affairs Canada, UN agencies, international foundations, private sector donors, amongst others
• At least 7 years of experience in designing development programs/projects in the applicable countries
• At least 7 years of experience working in partnership with local / national NGOs in the applicable countries

Capacities, Skills and Competencies:

• Proven commitment to advancement of gender equality and women’s rights and empowerment
• Ability to make decisions and take initiative, as part of managing a complex and varied workload
• Excellent strategic thinking and analytical abilities
• Excellent cross-cultural interpersonal skills, including the ability to negotiate and develop internal and external relationships
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Excellent computer skills and proficiency with Word, Excel, Outlook, and web-based research
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally
• Ability to work irregular hours and overtime when needed to meet critical deadlines