Position Description
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Position Title: Strategic Programme Partnerships Manager (SDC and Sida)
Primary Location: London or other European location
Position Status: Full-time
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DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
In Europe, Mercy Corps has adopted an ambitious new resource mobilisation strategy that seeks to build more
strategic partnerships with bilateral and multilateral donor agencies to increase our income, influence, and
programme impact. gthened and extended bilateral relationships with key governments and institutions.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Strategic Programme Partnerships Manager will be a full-time member of the Strategic Programme
Partnerships team. He/she will be responsible for coordinating and growing Mercy Corps’ partnerships with
the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Swedish International Development
Cooperation Agency (Sida). These partnerships will look to deepen and grow our technical, financial and
policy cooperation with SDC and Sida. The current portfolio has an annual financial value of more than £3m
GBP. With extensive experience in the development sector and deep understanding of the targeted European
donor institutions, the Strategic Programme Partnerships Manager will foster and build institutional
relationships, and create and convert new opportunities for both financial and non-financial cooperation.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Strategic donor engagement:
 Responsible for managing and building Mercy Corps’ relationships with SDC and Sida representatives.
Proactively engages representatives on a strategic basis at a corporate level in order to facilitate
technical programme exchanges, influence policy and thinking, and identify key areas of potential
cooperation, including programme funding.
 Actively participates in donor forums and events, representing Mercy Corps’ sectorial capacities
 Directly engages with donor representatives in support of field-level interests
Resource mobilisation strategies:
 Leads the design and implementation of resource mobilisation strategies intended to strengthen income
and technical cooperation from SDC and Sida.
New business development:
 Identifies and qualifies funding and partnership opportunities in a systematic manner in pursuit of
supporting Mercy Corps’ programme objectives.
 Advises country programmes on upcoming funding opportunities and leads pre-positioning efforts in
Europe
Networking and Coordination
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Position Description
Represents Mercy Corps in relevant NGO coordination forums
Proactively networks within the NGO community, seeking innovative partnership opportunities as
appropriate
Internal communication
 Ensures Mercy Corps regional and country structures are well-informed about SDC and Sida policies
and strategies through an internal communication strategy
 Provides training, support and advice for country and regional structures on how to work with SDC and
Sida.
Organizational Learning
 As part of Mercy Corps’ agency-wide Organizational Learning Initiative, all team members are
responsible for spending 5% of their work time in formal and/or non-formal professional learning
activities.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None
ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Director, Strategic Programme Partnerships
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH:
 Regional Programme Directors
 HQ-based Regional Programme Team (RPT)
 Country Directors
 Other members of the SPP team
KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:
Required Qualifications:
 Masters degree or equivalent in Business Administration, Law, Economics, or International Development.
 Previous extensive experience in international development.
 Experience and success in engaging with SDC and Sida and/or strong thematic expertise within the
humanitarian and development sector, particularly in fragile states
 Demonstrated ability to devise and implement resource mobilisation strategies
 Demonstrated ability to work across institutional boundaries, business units, and teams in an effective,
empowering, and productive way.
 Strong networking, representational, and negotiation skills
 Ability to work effectively with others in a team and proven ability to utilise talent and expertise of team
members to achieve objectives.
 Superior verbal and written communications skills in English and French with ability to analyse and
synthesize complex issues.
 Good familiarity with institutional donor decision-making processes, both political and technical,
including budget processes, appropriation, protocols, and communications.
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Position Description
 Strong proven ability to identify and articulate strategic and policy issues through effective oral and
written briefs
 Excellent computer skills, including various office applications and internet navigation
SUCCESS FACTORS:
 Exceptional interpersonal communication skills
 Strong analytical and organisational skills
 Willingness and ability to travel overseas
 Ability to work independently, take initiative and take responsibility to achieve deliverables
LIVING CONDITIONS/ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS: The position will require travel to the field
up to approximately 30% time including travel to some locations that may be insecure or austere. Mercy Corps
Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or
on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect
local laws, customs and Mercy Corps policies, procedures and values at all times.
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