Partnership Director – Deputy Team Leader

Position: Partnership Director – Deputy Team Leader

Program: Strongim Bisnis 

Location: Honiara, Solomon Islands, with provincial travel 

Duration: Full-time

Line manager and directly report to Strongim Bisnis Team Leader

Background 

Solomon Islands Australia Partnership’s Strongim Bisnis is an economic development initiative to increase economic opportunities and participation for people and businesses in Solomon Islands.

Recognising that Solomon Islands has a small consumer market and economy, dispersed population, and high cost of doing business, we identify and analyse specific sectors that have a high potential for growth and can consequently create new employment and income generation opportunities.

We facilitate strategic partners (including businesses, government, civil society, and associations) in those sectors to address the root constraints to growth and inclusion (Women, Youth and People living with disabilities) through innovative solutions.

Position summary and justification for the role  

The Partnership Director – Deputy Team Leader is responsible for the design, implementation and management of the program partnerships portfolio and representation of the program in stakeholder engagement. The Partnership Director is responsible for the technical design and implementation of sector strategies for Strongim Bisnis, including supporting the identification and development of partnerships with businesses, relevant associations, and the Solomon Islands Government (SIG) to deliver inclusive and resilient growth.

The position is based in Honiara, where the Strongim Bisnis Office is located. The program’s business activities are implemented nationally, focusing on stimulating pro-poor growth and maximising impact to scale-up long-term production, value addition, income, employment, and opportunity across the provinces. The Partnership Director supports engagement with all stakeholders in target sector and cross cutting areas, from smallholder producers within local communities to government ministries, service providers, aggregators, manufacturers, exporters, and investors.

This role drives innovation and flexibility and contributes new thinking within existing and new markets to develop and facilitate strategic partnerships that drive systemic change in selected sectors, leading to greater productivity and inclusivity, and increased incomes for poor households in the Solomon Islands.

The Partnership Director works closely with the Team Leader to lead the development of intervention strategies for target sectors and manage Business Case development. The role requires working closely with the Communications and Engagement Director – Deputy Team Leader and MRM Manager to ensure interventions are effectively monitored, implemented, and managed, using tailored and adaptive approaches, and consistently learning from new information and the changing context over the life of the program. 

The Partnership Director manages Senior Partnership Managers, with each adviser working within one of the technical Hubs. The Partnership Director works closely with the Senior Partnership Managers to prepare Business Cases, budgets, and Partnership Agreements, implement partnership activities and procurement, and manage the program portfolio.

Duties and Responsibilities

• In alignment with the Strongim Bisnis’ Investment Design Document and supporting plans/strategies, lead technical program delivery from inception of partnerships, collaboration with stakeholders, implementation of approved business cases, including working with the MRM & Communications and Engagement teams to develop plans for monitoring and reporting results.

• Apply the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, identifying key constraints and innovative opportunities for business development, diversification, and growth.

• Build and maintain productive relationships with relevant stakeholders and key partners in selected sectors and conduct regular meetings to seek their input and buy-in for the proposed initiatives.

• Build on existing Market Systems Analyses (MSAs) and program learning to inform clear, relevant, and achievable strategies for inclusive MSD in selected sectors.

• Support partnership negotiations, development of Business Cases and Partnership Agreements, drafting of Terms of References, and other relevant documentation leading to signed business partnerships.

• Assist Senior Partnership Managers to prepare sector strategies and develop project portfolios in their respective hubs. 

• Participate in workshops and meetings with partners and support the Senior Partnership Managers to lead in discussions.

• Support Senior Partnership Managers to develop strategic responses to constraints and opportunities identified by partners.

• Ensure the program portfolio incorporates women’s economic empowerment and youth and disability inclusive objectives as part of intervention designs.

• Manage portfolio budgets and partnership agreements, and ensure the implementation of partnerships and procurement, following guidelines set out in the Strongim Bisnis Operations and Flexible Fund Manuals.

• Build and maintain productive relationships and coordination with the AHC and other donor programs in the Solomon Islands and align activities with wider developmental and private sector initiatives that align with Strongim Bisnis’ objectives.

• Work with the Team Leader and the Communications and Engagement Director to ensure the program builds and maintains a strong reputation within the DFAT portfolio in the Solomon Islands and that the Australian Government ownership of the program is visible and acknowledged.

• With the Team Leader, represent the program at meetings, conferences, and other events as required.

• Provide technical advice and inputs to research and analytical processes to feed into the development of the Annual Plan.

• Work with the Team Leader and the ASI Program Manager to support budget planning, operations and DFAT reporting requirements.

• Support the application of MRM frameworks and data collection and analyses to document and improve program results.

• Work with and provide technical support to the Communications and Engagement Director – Deputy Team Leader to develop promotional and educational materials to promote the program and events and inform and support partners and other stakeholders.

• Train, mentor and manage Senior Partnership Managers in the application of the Market Systems Development approach.

• Support the Senior Partnership Managers to lead and build strong and motivated teams of Partnership Managers and Assistant Partnership Managers, ensuring effective capacity-building, mentoring and performance management, and promote knowledge sharing.

• Support the management of short-term advisers’ and subcontractors’ inputs for certain activities, as agreed with the Team Leader, to ensure they fulfil their responsibilities.

Required qualifications, experience, and attributes  

• Ten years’ experience designing and implementing systemic interventions and building strong partnerships with the private sector.

• Demonstrated experience working collegially with various stakeholders across markets, including in remote and rural areas, the private sector, the public sector, and alongside other complementary developmental activities.

• Applied knowledge, and strong understanding and experience of the Market Systems Development approach for pro-poor economic development.

• Experience and quantifiable successes working in thin markets with various impediments to economic growth, ideally in South Pacific Island countries.

• Proven capabilities in undertaking MSD analysis, including the application of participatory research and planning processes, and extensive experience in leading assessments contributing to overall socio-economic analysis of communities and the development of tailored interventions in response to their needs.

• Demonstrated commitment to, and experience in implementing, the principles of gender equality and youth and disability inclusion.

• Experience in capacity building, including training and ’hands-on’ mentoring of staff.

• Excellent cross-cultural communication skills.

• Relevant degree in international development, economics, business, agriculture, or other appropriate area.

• Willingness to locate to Honiara as soon as practicable after appointment. Remote work may be required for a short period to begin, while travel and relocation arrangements are put in place.

Key Performance Indicators

• A portfolio of program activities, including planned expenditure budgets, will be agreed after a reasonable settling-in period. Delivery of agreed partnership outcomes and meeting budget targets are the position’s key deliverables.

• Delivery of key reports, including Annual Plans, Annual Reports, and market systems analysis in collaboration with Hub Leads.

• Delivery of results as outlined in the Annual Plans.

• Delivery of results as agreed in the MRM Plans.

• Adaptive management at the program level and strong performance management of the Senior Partnership Managers.

• Strong DFAT annual performance assessments.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm (Solomon Islands time) on Wednesday, 9th April 2025.

Applications should include a cover letter of no more than two pages addressing the position selection criteria, a CV of no more than four pages and the contact details of three professional referees, including your current/last employer.

This is an international position – applicants do not need the right to work in Solomon Islands

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. SB may make an appointment at any time if an exceptional candidate is identified early in the process. As such, we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.