Strategic partnering at IDRC is a systematic process of building and maintaining institutional relations with like-minded development agencies, multilateral organizations, foundations and the private sector. The Partnership and Business Development Division (PBDD) facilitates and supports partnership activities in order to enhance the scope and impact of IDRC supported research and to increase resources available to its research partners. PBDD also manages a capacity building program in resource mobilization for research institutions in developing countries

 

Under the guidance of the Director, Partnership and Business Development Division (PBDD), and the Regional Director, Regional office for West and Central Africa working as a member of a small global team and within the assigned portfolio:

 

Identifies and evaluates critical research issues and strategic partnerships opportunities in the Program Areas (PAs) and assists in the further elaboration of the Centre partnership policy and strategies;

 

Develops, manages, supports and monitors various resource intelligence, partnering and resource expansion activities of the Centre;

 

Leads a portfolio of projects and new initiatives in the range of 15-20 projects to secure additional resources for the Centre, and for the Centre’s research partners in the region  and at least one Program Area;

 

Liaises with colleagues in Ottawa, regional offices on issues of program and project development and management;

 

Initiates public relations and marketing efforts, including participating in international, intergovernmental, national, as well as IDRC conferences, events and meetings;

 

Identifies and contacts external sources, potential partners and donors to support specific projects and Centre=s initiatives, in collaboration with TLs and POs, to generate new program resources, while ensuring proper indirect cost recovery;

 

Represents IDRC internationally; and

 

Takes on special assignments as requested form time to time by the Director, PBDD.

 

 

 

Under the guidance of the Director and within the assigned portfolio:

 

Assesses proposals, including conceptual, operational, evaluative, and financial aspects;

 

Identifies and develops innovative partnering mechanisms with the Program Areas in accordance with Centre=s policies and interests.

 

Recommends to incorporate, at the project design stage, plans for establishing strategic partnerships and disseminating research results to key international partners;

 

Explores and analyses the potential for support and participation by the international donor community, including preparing background information, and donors= landscapes;

 

Discusses with international agencies and foreign government officials ways to increase the use they make of research results as inputs in policy formulation and implementation;

 

Identifies and encourages links with other PIs and between regions to coordinate strategic partnering and resource expansion activities with donors as well as within the Centre;

 

Provides advice to work planning and project documents when required by the various clients (Program Areas, Program Initiatives, Secretariats, Explorations, regional offices);

 

Reviews and assesses proposals or expression of interest emanating from partners with a view to drafting options and recommendations for POs and senior management; and

 

Participates in the preparation and review of statements of interest, proposals and budgets in cooperation with partners and program staff.  

 

 

Under the guidance of the Director and within the assigned portfolio:

 

Drafts, negotiates and manages contracts, Memorandum of Understanding (MOUs) and joint venture agreements with other public, international or private agencies and foundations, in close consultation with PIs, Legal Services and Financial Resources;

 

Prepares terms of reference including budgets for various studies and assignments required by IDRC, and ensures quality control and monitoring on assigned consultancies;

 

Takes action on, and supports, requests from PIs, and Regional Offices, as well as other corporate initiatives, for specific strategic partnering and  resource expansion activities;

 

Acts as the main contact in the region for external partners (public, international or private agencies) as it relates to contribution agreements and administrative or financial arrangements;

 

Provides technical assistance and supervision, including analysis of reports, participation in workshops, databases searches, identification of resource persons or organizations in support of projects;

 

Negotiates with other financing organizations, and coordinates the partnerships or co-funding/co-financing arrangements of collaborative projects, including proper indirect cost recovery in accordance with IDRC=s cost structure and cost recovery guidelines; and

 

Liaises with Canadian government departments and with diplomatic representatives to inform them of IDRC's projects and programming in the various countries and thematic areas.          

 

 

 

Within the assigned portfolio:

 

Identifies opportunities where there is a need and an interest to attract external funding or to establish strategic partnerships that will contribute to meeting the objectives of the PI(s) in terms of relevance, quality, policy impact, and visibility for the Centre;

 

Researches possible organizations and international programs active or interested in collaborating in the areas of interest to the Centre;

 

Participates in the development of long and short-term strategies, plans and policies for resource expansion and strategic partnership in coordination with relevant units and Team leaders;

 

Designs and recommends best approaches and  innovative partnering mechanisms to implement these policies and strategies in the elaboration of research projects and activities while protecting the Centre's financial and other interests;

 

Coordinates partnerships and resource expansion, including providing input in the 3-year rolling external funding forecast;

 

 

Keeps up to date with, and contributes to, current developments in the partnering and resource mobilization area, as well as the disciplines covered by client units in the Centre and at the international level.

 

 

Within the assigned portfolio:

 

Organizes and supports activities that increase awareness and understanding of the Centre in the donor community and that contribute to knowledge dissemination and utilization;

 

Establishes and maintains regular contact and close working relationship with partners, international donor community, co-funding institutions and foundations;

 

Collaborates with federal department (e.g: DFAIT, CIDA, Health Canada, Environment Canada, etc.) to facilitate their international outreach in favour of development research in partnership with IDRC;

 

Undertakes various activities, including making  presentations on the Centre=s mandate and programs at international and national meetings, fora and seminars; and

 

Undertakes general or specific marketing or negotiation missions, where appropriate with relevant program staff.

 

 

Within the assigned portfolio:

 

Participates in Program Area and Division meetings, in clients (PIs, regional offices and Secretariats)  work  planning sessions, and in Corporate meetings and committees as required;

 

Contributes to Centre-wide resource expansion and public relations efforts with the relevant Divisions and PIs;

 

Collaborates with regional POs in the identification and evaluation of emerging development trends and priorities and potential partners.

 

Collaborates with Legal Counsel, Financial Services as well as SMC, and facilitates working relationships between POs and Legal and Finance staff;

 

Liaises with the President's office to coordinate trips and meetings, hosting of external visitors, briefings, correspondence or recommendations on strategic partnerships and resource expansion; and

 

Acts on behalf of the Director at management meetings and on general communications or meetings as requested by the Director or his V-P.     

 

 

 

Within the assigned portfolio:

 

Organizes or supports activities that contribute to knowledge dissemination and utilization in the donor international community;

 

Participates in strategic networking with other donors, lenders, research institutions and policy makers; government officials and the private sector; and

 

Assists TLs and POs in publicizing and disseminating research results internationally and, as required, in scaling up their projects.          

 

 

Job Knowledge

 

 

Master degree in business, public or international administration or in a related discipline or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

 

 

A minimum of seven years of successful international development or policy related experience.

Work experience in a developing country, preferably in Africa

Experience in project planning and management, budgeting and contract negotiation.

Desired experience in the development of co-financing or co-funding projects, private sector or NGO consulting, and marketing.

 

 

This position requires some indirect supervision. The incumbent guides, mentors and assigns work to lower levels partnership officers, research officers and more junior professional staff, professional development awardees and interns to ensure that objectives and quality standards are met.          

 

Communication         

 

This position requires regular communication with Centre staff in both official languages (English and French) as required.  Communication may deal with such issues as briefings, RM initiatives, visits, project development and management, program delivery, project and partnership development, coordination and implementation, project planning and management, and special events or announcements.

 

This position also requires regular communication with individuals outside of the Centre as needed. External Contacts include Senior program and management staff of international donor or partner institutions, Government departments (e.g. CIDA, Foreign Affairs, Environment, Health, NRCan, etc.), embassies and High Commission staff, members of the non-governmental and academic community involved in delivery of Canada's foreign aid and foreign policy priorities in Canada and abroad, and private sector partners.

 

Communication may deal with such issues as marketing/public relations, negotiation, project development and delivery or resource mobilization, information sharing, marketing and coordination, and discussion of actual or potential joint ventures or public-private partnerships.

 

 

This position requires to travel up to 40 days per year.

 

 

This position is part of a small global unit lead by a Director and is expected to:

 

Demonstrate a high degree of strategic thinking and leadership for resource mobilization activities;

Demonstrate a good understanding of the Centre's programs and priorities, as well as of the areas of the Program Initiative(s) within his/her portfolio;

Manage a large number of projects with a large degree of  autonomy and discretion within the policies of the Centre;

Take initiatives to identify and adopt new approaches and developments in the areas covered by the Division;

Be entrepreneurial in identifying and developing additional sources of funding for Centre-supported projects, and in maintaining good working relationships with donor organizations;

Be a good representative of the Centre in international meetings and events; and

As directed by the Director, assume certain responsibilities in his absence.