Partnership and Localization Advisor (Country-Focused)

Are you passionate about local leadership in humanitarian responses? Do you understand the challenges and opportunities local actors face in contexts characterized by conflict, displacement, fragility and political instability? Do you want to support one of the world’s leading humanitarian NGOs in realizing its vision to shift from direct implementation to increasingly supporting local actors to take the lead? And do you bring the programmatic, operational and organizational experience and expertise necessary to help us progress towards our vision? If so, you might be the candidate we are looking for to take up the role as DRC’s Roving Partnership & Localization Advisor. 

About the job

DRC is currently looking for a highly qualified Roving Partnership and Localization Advisor to support us operationalize our Localization Vision 2030 and be a direct companion for Country Operations in this process. You will be part of the Localization management Unit in HQ, which leads the organisation-wide operationalization of localization and supports the organisation change policy, practice and approaches to enable the shift from direct implementation as the main response modality to supporting local actors to lead.  The unit coordinates the wider Localization Team in HQ; a small, committed and closely collaborating team that is comprised of colleagues from various divisions and departments, all working towards DRC’s localization vision from their programmatic, operational or support perspective. Your contribution to the team will be the needs and knowledge of Country Operations - you will be their direct companion on the path towards developing and implementing localization strategies and support them to make the necessary organizational and programmatic changes towards this end.

You will be based in either DRC Jordan, Lebanon or Kenya on a national contract with potential extensive travel (up to 50% of your time) to DRC’s priority country operations (COs) (to be decided).

Your main duties and responsibilities will be:

• Provide technical programmatic and operational advice to develop and elevate a localized approach to programming in DRC Country Operations.
• Support the development of country-level organizational structures that enable localization ambitions.
• Collaborate closely with country level programme and support staff to ensure a localized approach is embedded in the COs’ partnership approaches and mainstreamed across DRC’s response in the country.
• Contribute to scoping for new programmatic and funding opportunities to improve and increase localization efforts.
• Contribute to the identification and conceptual development of model program concepts under the heading of localization and partnership engagement, for potential replication.
• Support with CO’s strategic direction of localization ambitions, with a special focus on but not limited to supporting the development of localization roadmaps/strategic plans at country and their reflection into Country Strategic Plans.
• Lead on supporting/implementing globally initiated pilot localization initiatives in selected countries, in collaboration with the localization team.
• Provide technical support with the use of global tools and resources, including (acceptable) adaptations to fit to specific contexts.
• Support staff learning and development in COs, including coaching and mentoring of direct counterparts, focused learning for wider programmes teams, and providing induction for new staff.

About you

To be successful in this role we expect you to have at least 7 years’ demonstrable experience in similar advisory or operational roles in international humanitarian and/or development organizations. You should have demonstrable experience developing and overseeing programming that supports local leadership. We also expect you to have substantial experience working with local partners, as well as strong understanding of the operational aspects of partnering, including experience with donor compliance requirements.

Moreover, we also expect the following:

Required

• Fluent in written and spoken English and the working language of the country of residence
• Able to travel up to 50% of the time
• Able to operate in a physically demanding working environment
• Master’s degree in development or humanitarian studies, sociology, political science, human geography or similar

Desirable

• Demonstrable skills with the design and facilitation of training and workshops
• Excellent communication skills for writing and presentation
• Demonstrable skills in project design and proposal development
• Demonstrable ability to lead and support change processes at management level
• Advanced level in written and spoken French or Arabic

In this position, you are expected to demonstrate DRC’ five core competencies: 

Striving for excellence: You focus on reaching results while ensuring an efficient process. 

Collaborating: You involve relevant parties and encourage feedback. 

Taking the lead: You take ownership and initiative while aiming for innovation. 

Communicating: You listen and speak effectively and honestly. 

Demonstrating integrity: You uphold and promote the highest standards of ethical and professional conduct in relation to our values and Code of Conduct, including safeguarding against sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

We offer

Contract length: until 31st. December 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to funding.

Band: F – non-management

Work location: DRC Jordan (Amman), Lebanon (Beirut) or Kenya (Nairobi). 

Start date: 1st April 2026 or soonest thereafter.

The position is temporary due to available funding. The funding is for now secured until 31 December 2026 but we expect to be able to fund the position in 2027 as well. We also hope to be able to extend the position further.
The position is open to national candidates only.

Salary and conditions will be in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for employees on national contracts; please refer to our website for more details. For questions regarding the vacancy please contact Director of Operational Standards and Support, Jason Lee:  [email protected].
 

Application process

All applicants must upload a cover letter and an updated CV (no longer than four pages) in English. Applications sent by email will not be considered.

Closing date for applications: 8 March 2026.

For more information about the Danish Refugee Council, please visit our website drc.ngo.

Danish Refugee Council is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and positive work environment based on mutual respect for all employees. All applicants are considered for employment regardless of personal characteristics or attributes.