Partnership Officer at Care Best Initiative (CBI)

Care Best Initiative (CBI) is a fast-growing, woman-led, and youth-driven Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) founded in 2019 and presently operational in states within North-East, Nigeria. Our objectives are to save lives, alleviate the suffering of children, women, and other vulnerable people; and maintain human dignity during and in the aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters; as well as to prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such situations; and to promote the right of children, women and vulnerable people in the society. Our actions are multi-sectorial inclined, gender-sensitive, and socially inclusive.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Partnership Officer

Location: Abuja (FCT)
Job type: Contractual
Department: Programme
Reports to: Programme Coordinator
Responsible for: Managing partnerships, advocacy and external stakeholders’ engagement at CBI-Nigeria

Purpose of the Role

• The Partnership Officer will be responsible for building, maintaining, and strengthening strategic relationships with donors, government agencies, private sector partners, and civil society organizations. 
• The role requires identifying and securing partnership opportunities, coordinating collaborative initiatives, and ensuring alignment between CBI’s objectives and those of external stakeholders. 
• The officer will work closely with program teams to facilitate engagement with funding agencies, research institutions, and implementing partners, ensuring productive and sustainable collaborations that support CBI’s mission. 
• Additionally, the Partnership Officer will play a critical role in positioning CBI within key humanitarian and development networks. 
• This includes representing the organization in external meetings, fostering alliances with like-minded organizations, and ensuring CBI is actively engaged in relevant forums and consortiums. 
• The role requires strong diplomatic, negotiation, and networking skills to cultivate high-value partnerships that enhance CBI’s ability to deliver impactful interventions.

Principal Accountabilities

• Identify, establish, and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government agencies, international organizations, private sector actors, and NGOs.
• Representing CBI at meetings, forums, and working groups to strengthen institutional presence and visibility.
• Develop strategies to enhance CBI’s credibility and positioning within local, national, and international humanitarian and development networks.
• Identify partnership opportunities and facilitate the development of formal agreements, such as Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) and collaboration frameworks.
• Work with program teams to align partnership efforts with organizational objectives and ensure successful implementation of joint initiatives.
• Serve as the primary liaison between CBI and its partners, ensuring effective communication and collaboration.
• Support fundraising efforts by identifying potential funding sources and coordinating with the Grants Officer to secure donor support.
• Advocate for CBI’s programs in external engagements, monitor relevant policies, and advise leadership on engagement strategies.
• Provide technical support and training to CBI staff on partnership engagement, donor relations, and stakeholder communication.
• Support internal learning by documenting best practices in partnership engagement and ensuring alignment with CBI’s strategic plan.

Staff Performance Management, Learning, and Development:

• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment, promoting teamwork and mutual respect among partnership staff to enhance efficiency in stakeholder engagement and relationship management.
• Provide ongoing supervision and mentorship to direct-report staff, setting clear expectations, defining performance objectives, and conducting structured evaluations to track progress and address areas for improvement.
• Identify capacity-building needs within the partnership team and implement structured training programs, including workshops, peer learning sessions, and on-the-job coaching to enhance stakeholder engagement, negotiation, and donor relations skills.
• Encourage professional growth by facilitating staff participation in external networking events, partnership-building forums, donor engagement meetings, and relevant industry trainings to strengthen expertise in strategic collaboration.
• Work closely with Human Resources to document and address performance-related concerns within the partnership team, ensuring alignment with CBI’s employment policies and best practices in staff management.
• Promote staff well-being by supporting a balanced workload, providing necessary resources to mitigate stress, and fostering a culture where team members feel valued and motivated in their roles.
• Oversee time management within the partnership department by approving and tracking attendance, leave requests, and monthly timesheet submissions, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and project timelines.

Key Relationships (excluding own line manager and staff)
Internal:

• Partners
• Consultants
• Service Providers/Stakeholders (Other NGOs)
• Government agencies
• Community leaders/CBOs.

External:

• Programme Coordinator
• Finance and Support Services team
• Various staff based in all CBI core departments, as and when necessary (e.g. funding, MEAL, finance, logistics and procurement, etc.).

Job Holder Entry Requirements
Knowledge (Education & Related Experience):
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, Development Studies, Business Administration, Public Administration, Social Sciences, or a related field.
• A master’s degree in a relevant field is an advantage.
• Professional certification in Stakeholder Engagement, Partnership Management, or Nonprofit Leadership is a plus.

Experience:

• At least 3 years of experience in partnership development, donor relations, stakeholder engagement, or corporate social responsibility (CSR), preferably within an NGO or development organization.
• Proven experience in building and managing partnerships with donors, government institutions, and private sector organizations.
• Strong knowledge of donor priorities, funding mechanisms, and partnership trends in the humanitarian and development sector.
• Demonstrated ability to represent organizations in high-level meetings, networks, and forums.
• Experience in drafting MoUs, partnership agreements, and strategic collaboration plans.
• Familiarity with multi-sectoral partnerships, advocacy efforts, and capacity-building initiatives.

Skills (Special Training or Competence):

• Ability to observe and understand cultural and social contexts and reflect the understandings in programming
• Ability to develop strategic approaches for partnership management and advocacy.
• Knowledge of donor-funded programs and NGO operations.
• High level of diplomacy, professionalism, and ability to manage complex relationships
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills
• Strong community engagement and facilitation skill
• Attention to detail, keen at following procedures and meeting deadlines
• Ability to organize tasks simultaneously and prioritize work
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Strong interpersonal skills working with cross cultural and multi diverse teams
• Ability to build strong working relationships for partnerships
• Standards of Professional Conduct especially integrity, service, and accountability
• Fluency in English Language.

Key Behaviours:

• Interpersonal and intercultural sensitivity.
• Willingness to align with CBI's core values, including empathy, integrity, and a commitment to service.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multicultural environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Social and receptive (active listener).
• High degree of integrity.
• Ability to work independently and as a part of the team, as the situation dictates.
• Pro-active and ready to take initiative.
• Ability to assimilate and handle a wide range of information efficiently and effectively.
• High level of stress tolerance and ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.

Application Closing Date
31st March, 2025.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note

• Only applications submitted online will be reviewed
• Only one application email should be submitted as multiple submissions will be tantamount to automatic disqualification
• By submitting your application for this position, you agree to CBI ZERO Tolerance to:
  • Fraud
  • Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, Abuse, and Child Abuse
• Our employees enjoy a work culture that promotes diversity and inclusion.
• Care Best Initiative (CBI) provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
• Qualified women are strongly encouraged to apply.