Reports to: Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (PRM)
Location: Damascus, Syria (with frequent travel to Aleppo office)
Purpose of the position
Under the guidance of the Head of Partnerships and Resource Mobilization (PRM) and ICARDA Syria Country Coordinator and working within the Partnerships and Grants Unit (PGU), the Partnerships and Grants Officer supports the design, development, and management of ICARDA\u2019s partnerships and resource mobilization activities in Syria. The role focuses on identifying and cultivating relationships with donors and partners, coordinating the full cycle of proposal development, ensuring compliance with donor requirements in on-going grants, and contributing to the effective implementation of ICARDA\u2019s partnership and resource mobilization strategy.
The incumbent will work closely with PGU colleagues, the ICARDA Syria country team, research teams, Finance, and Communications Units to ensure ICARDA\u2019s partnership portfolio is strategically aligned, efficiently managed, and positioned for sustainable growth in line with ICARDA\u2019s mission.
The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) is a treaty-based international non-profit research organization supported by the Center for Global International Agriculture Research (CGIAR).
ICARDA\u2019s mission is to reduce poverty, enhance food, water, and nutritional security, as well as environmental health in the face of global challenges including climate change. We do this through innovative science, strategic partnerships, linking research to development and capacity development that take into account gender equality and the role of youth in transforming the dry areas. ICARDA works in partnership with governments, universities, civil society, national agricultural research organization, other CGIAR Research Centers, and the private sector. ICARDA operates in regional and country offices across Africa, Asia and the Middle East. For more information: www.icarda.org .
Partnership Development and Donor Engagement
\u00b7 Build and maintain effective relationships with existing and potential partners, ensuring timely and accurate responses to donor and partner inquiries.
\u00b7 Support the development and updating of donor landscapes and funding strategies, including preparation of donor briefs, partnership summaries, and communication materials.
\u00b7 Contribute to strengthening and expanding ICARDA\u2019s network of partners and collaborators across Syria and thematic areas.
\u00b7 Collaborate with PGU and the Communications Unit on the development of tailored partnership materials and event briefings.
\u00b7 Conduct desk research and analysis to identify and assess potential partners and donors (bilateral, multilateral, philanthropic, and private sector).
\u00b7 Ensure accurate and up-to-date records of partnership interactions and donor profiles in ICARDA\u2019s SharePoint system.
Resource Mobilization and Proposal Development
\u00b7 Support and coordinate the full cycle of proposal development, from concept note to final submission, ensuring alignment with ICARDA and CGIAR priorities and donor requirements.
\u00b7 Lead or assist in identifying, tracking, and summarizing funding opportunities (including calls for proposals) and communicating them to research and country teams.
\u00b7 Support proposal development through drafting sections, compiling administrative documentation, and coordinating inputs from internal teams.
\u00b7 Ensure quality assurance and consistency of proposal packages, including logical frameworks, budgets, and deliverables.
\u00b7 Maintain an organized database of proposals, submissions, and results, and provide regular analytical reports to management.
\u00b7 Assist in improving PGU systems and processes related to proposal design and submission.
Grants, Contracts, and Compliance
\u00b7 Support the drafting, review, and management of partnership agreements and sub-grant arrangements in collaboration with PGU, Finance, Legal, and project teams.
\u00b7 Ensure compliance with donor and ICARDA policies throughout the grant lifecycle\u2014from signing to closure.
\u00b7 Monitor and communicate updates to donor regulations and support their integration into internal policies and procedures.
\u00b7 Liaise with donors and partners to facilitate reporting, amendments, and contractual communications.
\u00b7 Support internal and external audits, ensuring timely submission of accurate grant-related information and documentation.
Systems, Data, and Knowledge Management
\u00b7 Maintain ICARDA\u2019s donor and partner databases (CRM, SharePoint, UBW) to ensure accuracy, consistency, and accessibility of information.
\u00b7 Support the integration of digital tools and new systems to enhance efficiency in resource mobilization and partnership workflows.
\u00b7 Contribute to institutional knowledge management by documenting lessons learned and best practices in partnership and proposal management.
\u00b7 Generate periodic reports and analyses on partnership activities, donor pipelines, and funding trends.
Institutional Coordination and Capacity Strengthening
\u00b7 Collaborate with program leaders, finance, and country managers to strengthen institutional coordination on donor engagement and proposal planning.
\u00b7 Support internal training and coaching of staff on partnership development, proposal writing, and donor compliance.
\u00b7 Contribute to the implementation of the CGIAR-wide partnership, advocacy, and resource mobilization frameworks.
\u00b7 Support ICARDA\u2019s participation in CGIAR and partner initiatives, events, and joint fundraising activities.
Requirements
\u00b7 Master\u2019s degree (preferred) or a Bachelor\u2019s degree in International Development, Business Administration, Agricultural Economics, Political Science, or related field.
\u00b7 Knowledge and experience of the agriculture sector in Syria.
\u00b7 Extensive experience (ideally 10-15 years) covering partnership management, donor relations, proposal development, or resource mobilization within an international research or development organization at a senior level.
\u00b7 Proven experience in coordinating and developing donor-funded proposals and managing multi-stakeholder partnerships.
\u00b7 Demonstrated established donor network.
\u00b7 Solid understanding of donor rules and compliance (e.g., FAO, EU, BMZ and international foundations).
\u00b7 Fluency in English and Arabic with strong writing and communication skills.
\u00b7 Strong organizational, analytical, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a multicultural environment.
\u00b7 A self-starter who is comfortable working remotely with minimal support.
Benefits
The successful candidate will be offered a 6-month consultancy contract on a full-time basis, renewable subject to continued need for the position, availability of funding and satisfactory performance. The Incumbent will be provided with a monthly honorarium.
Please be advised that ICARDA accepts applications only in English, as per the organization's standard communication language. Applications in other languages will not be considered.
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.