Agreements and Alliances Specialist
The Danish Refugee Council (DRC) is one of the world's leading humanitarian NGOs, working in more than 40 countries to provide adequate assistance with a rights-based approach for refugees, asylum seekers, displaced internally, repatriates and migrants. DRC has been present in Colombia since 2011, but 2018 expands its operations in response to the Venezuelan crisis. Currently DRC Colombia implements a humanitarian response focused on protection for Venezuelan and Colombian refugees and migrants returned in Colombian cities such as Riohacha, Barranquilla and Bogotá, currently it also incorporates activities in Nariño and Norte de Santander.
General Description of the Position:
DRC Colombia is looking for an experienced Agreements and Alliances Specialist to support the implementation and monitoring of alliance processes, localization and management of subsidies with national and local partners in Colombia.
The role will contribute to strengthening DRC Colombia's alliance and localization approaches by supporting partner identification, due diligence processes, organizational capability assessments, partner compliance, and capacity building processes. The Specialist will work closely with the program, grant, finance and area office teams to ensure effective partner participation and quality implementation of alliance processes throughout the project cycle.
Under the supervision of the Agreements and Alliances Manager, the role will provide technical and operational support for the implementation of DRC Colombia's alliance framework and localized response approaches, ensuring alignment with donor requirements, DRC procedures and localization commitments.
Responsibilities
Alliance Development
- Support partner selection and due diligence processes, including organizing preliminary meetings, supporting alliance evaluations, and following up on required documentation.
- Support partners in the preparation and presentation of documentation required for alliances, including MoUs, agreements, budgets and supporting documents.
- Maintain and periodically update partner databases and tracking systems, including information related to capabilities, operational presence and strategic relevance for DRC programming.
- Support the identification and mapping of potential local and national partners in coordination with Area Offices and Technical Coordinators.
- Facilitate communication and coordination between partner organizations and DRC teams during alliance processes.
- Support the implementation of DRC alliance and localization approaches in accordance with organizational procedures and guidelines.
Capacity Assessment and Management
- Coordinate with Coordination Units and Area Offices to support evaluations of organizational capabilities of partners and consolidate findings to identify capacity strengthening needs.
- Support the development and implementation of capacity building plans for partners, including training, technical support and coaching.
- Provide daily technical support to partners on issues related to project cycle management, donor compliance, reporting and operating procedures.
- Support the review and adaptation of alliance tools and resources related to capacity assessment, monitoring, compliance and project management.
- Support the implementation of organizational capacity evaluation tools related to programmatic management, agreements and operational compliance.
- Establish and maintain productive working relationships with partner organizations and DRC programmatic and support teams.
- Provide practical support to partners, including field visits and direct support at the partner office level together with DRC area teams.
- Support the participation and articulation of local partners in humanitarian coordination spaces and relevant technical groups, in coordination with the Agreements and Alliances Manager and the Head of Programs.
Agreement Management
- Support the implementation of partnership tools, grant management processes and financial standards, in accordance with donor requirements and DRC procedures.
- Support grant opening processes with partners, including the review of reporting templates, communication protocols, schedules and key alliance obligations.
- Maintain partner report tracking systems and track deadlines and documentary requirements.
- Review partner reports and provide technical feedback and guidance to strengthen reporting quality and compliance.
- Coordinate with Finance and relevant support teams to monitor partner spending, compliance with eligibility rules, and budget utilization.
- Support the preparation and processing of contractual modifications, including budget reviews, free extensions, and agreement modifications.
- Ensure proper archiving and maintenance of alliance and grant documentation, in accordance with DRC procedures.
Safety and Health at Work
- Guarantee comprehensive health care.
- Actively participate in the formation of the COPASST, Work Coexistence Committee and Emergency Brigades, as well as in the activities they carry out.
- Comply with the rules, regulations and instructions of the Occupational Health and Safety Management System.
- Timely report latent dangers and risks within your work environment.
- Attend OSH training defined by the OSH training program.
- Ensure order and cleanliness of your station and work area.
- Provide clear, truthful and complete information about your health status.
- Immediately report any work accident, incident (almost accident) or occupational disease to the OSH area and your immediate supervisor.
- Inform your immediate supervisor about the need for corrective or preventive actions related to actual or potential nonconformities.
- Participate in training, drills and activities related to occupational health and safety.
- Participate and contribute to compliance with the SGSST policy and objectives.
Experience and technical competencies (including years of experience)
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience in alliances, grant management, programmatic support or related areas, preferably in NGOs or humanitarian organizations.
- Experience working with local and national partners and supporting alliance management processes.
- Experience supporting grant management and donor compliance processes.
- Demonstrated experience in capacity building, training or technical support to partner organizations.
- Strong organizational and coordination skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines.
- Good understanding of humanitarian programming and localization approaches.
- Knowledge of donor compliance requirements and grant processes.
- Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in complex multicultural and operational environments.
- Ability to work in unsafe and high-pressure environments.
- Availability to travel to DRC bases in Colombia.
- Strong writing, editing and communication skills in English and Spanish.
Education:
University degree in a relevant area such as international development, humanitarian assistance, political science, international relations, public administration or other related areas.
Additional certifications related to grants, alliances, localization or project management will be considered an advantage.
Languages
Fluent English and Spanish, with the ability to produce high-quality written products for reporting and communication purposes.
All DRC functions require the holder to master DRC core competencies:
- Achieve excellence: focus on achieving results and ensuring efficient processes
- Collaboration: Engage relevant parties and encourage feedback
- Take the initiative: take ownership and initiative while seeking innovation
- Communicate: listen and speak effectively and honestly
- Demonstration of Integrity: Acting in accordance with DRC's vision and values
We offer:
- The opportunity to belong to one of the best NGOs in the world.
- Access to more than 1,000 free online trainings and certificates.
- Prepaid medicine, 100% policy coverage for the employee and special price for beneficiaries.
- National contract for the term Work or Labor with all the legal benefits possible.
- Salary starting at $5,791,000 depending on the candidate's experience and skills.
- Start date: June 2026
- Salary and conditions in accordance with the terms of employment in Colombia.
Application process
All applicants must upload only a cover letter (1 page) and an updated resume (not exceeding 3 pages). No further support is received through this means.
Application closing date: May 28, 2026 at 11:59 am Local Time.
If you apply, it is understood that you are immediately available to work and have the possibility of occasionally traveling to the organization's intervention areas. Please note that applications will be continually reviewed and interviews will be planned as soon as a suitable candidate is identified. DRC reserves the right to close the vacancy before the deadline once a suitable candidate is identified. It is recommended to apply for this vacancy as soon as possible, if this is of interest to you.
Note 2: The applicant who applies to this call authorizes DRC to validate the personal information provided in the resume. Your identification will be verified in public and private databases with the exclusive use of validating the information, in accordance with our anti-fraud, money laundering and terrorist financing policies.
Note 3: The applicant who freely and voluntarily wishes to be part of the selection process to occupy the position of this call must observe strict adherence to the rules that apply to the matter (suitability in the titles presented, execution of tests of personal and individual form and truthfulness in the information) adhering to DRC's manuals and anti-fraud policies under penalty of declaring disqualified the applicant who incurs any irregularity in the opinion of the organization, even due to mere suspicion, and even in possible criminal conduct in accordance with Colombian legislation.