The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is recruiting a Partnerships Manager to support its humanitarian programmes in Nigeria. The successful candidate will oversee partnership management processes, strengthen relationships with local partner organisations, ensure compliance with donor requirements, and promote effective collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.
Based in Maiduguri, Borno State, the role supports IRC’s country programme across northeastern and northwestern Nigeria, with the possibility of expansion. The successful candidate will work closely with the Partnerships, Grants, Finance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Programmes, Operations and Compliance teams to improve partnership quality and programme delivery.
Job Details
- Job Title: Partnerships Manager
- Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)
- Location: Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria
- Job Requisition ID: JR00005499
- Employment Type: Full-time
- Work Arrangement: In-person
- Application Deadline: 19 October 2026
Key Responsibilities
1. Partnership Excellence and Compliance
- Implement IRC’s Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS) and ensure compliance with organisational policies and donor requirements.
- Oversee sub-award management, including start-up, implementation, monitoring and close-out.
- Maintain effective partnership procedures, documentation and compliance systems.
- Support the development of management responses and action plans following internal and external audits.
- Promote equality, clarity, accountability, results and collaboration in partner relationships.
- Coordinate partnership activities across departments and facilitate regular partnership working group meetings.
2. Partnership Management
- Oversee the partnership lifecycle, from stakeholder analysis and partner identification to due diligence, agreement negotiation, implementation and close-out.
- Lead partner vetting, Partner Capacity Assessments (PCAs) and risk analysis, ensuring appropriate mitigation measures are documented.
- Review sub-award agreements to ensure they reflect partner risk levels, funding arrangements and compliance requirements.
- Maintain regular communication with partners through meetings, consultations and learning sessions.
- Ensure timely submission, review and archiving of partner reports.
- Coordinate with Grants, Programmes, Consortium and Finance teams on reporting schedules, templates and follow-up activities.
- Collect partner feedback, document lessons learned and prepare reports on the partnership portfolio.
3. Capacity Sharing and Team Management
- Strengthen the organisational, technical and operational capacity of local partner organisations.
- Supervise the Partnership Management sub-unit and support the professional development of team members.
- Coordinate Partner Capacity Assessments and develop tailored Partner Support Plans.
- Organise capacity-building activities, mentoring, learning exchanges and peer-to-peer collaboration.
- Deliver PEERS orientation sessions for IRC and partner staff.
- Facilitate Partner Health Check and Power Equity sessions to improve mutual accountability and partnership quality.
Requirements and Qualifications
Interested candidates should meet the following requirements:
- A bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required. A master’s degree or equivalent in International Affairs, Development, International Political Economy, Mathematics, Statistics, Economics or a related discipline is desirable.
- At least three years of experience in grants management and proposal or business development and design.
- Experience in accounting and auditing is an advantage.
- Knowledge of donor regulations, including those of US government agencies, FCDO, the European Union, ECHO and SIDA.
- Previous experience managing sub-grantees and partnerships is highly desirable.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Strong communication, organisational, time-management and analytical skills.
- Excellent interpersonal, cultural and diplomatic skills.
- Strong writing and editing abilities, with attention to detail.
- Ability to manage competing priorities, meet demanding deadlines and work under pressure in an unstable security environment.
- Strong computer skills and the flexibility to adapt to changing requirements.
Professional Standards and Work Environment
The International Rescue Committee expects all employees to uphold its core values of Integrity, Service and Accountability, as outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct.
The organisation maintains policies covering beneficiary protection, prevention of exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding, workplace harassment, fiscal integrity and other professional standards.
IRC is an equal opportunity employer committed to gender equality and an inclusive working environment. It provides supportive policies and benefits intended to enable women to participate and advance in the workforce.
How to Apply
Qualified and interested candidates should submit their applications through the official International Rescue Committee recruitment portal. Applicants are encouraged to review the job requirements carefully and apply before the closing date.
Application Link: Apply for the Partnerships Manager Job at IRC
Application Closing Date: 19 October 2026.