Partnership Specialist

About the Role

GSD is seeking a Partnership Specialist to cultivate vital regional relationships and support capacity-strengthening projects in Central America. This role acts as a crucial link between our team and regional networks, managing day-to-day engagement and updating relationship frameworks. The ideal candidate will bring cultural fluency, exceptional coordination skills, and a commitment to integrity as we work alongside local communities to build resilience.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the outreach strategy for Central America, collaborating with internal stakeholders across departments.
• Research and monitor humanitarian, rapid response, and community resilience trends to ensure GSD’s partnership proposition remains compelling and relevant.
• Build and maintain active readiness for Disaster Response Team (DRT) members, including deployment to sudden onset natural disasters.
• Facilitate management of existing partnership relationships, including day-to-day planning, engagement, and administrative tasks.
• Conduct stakeholder mapping and identify new partnership opportunities.
• Provide research and briefing materials to engage and vet potential partner organizations and develop country profiles.
• Support coordination of partner engagement activities and promote GSD’s services, including philanthropic actions.
• Provide administrative assistance for partnership and program activities, including scheduling, logistics, and meeting notes.
• Facilitate internal and external communication, including updates on relationship development and annual impacts.
• Maintain updated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) records for partner portfolios.
• Draft success stories and lessons learned for internal and external audiences.
• Promote GSD’s core values of accountability, humility, and integrity in all work.
• Ensure good stewardship of financial and other resources to maximize benefit to disaster-impacted communities.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Three (3) or more years of progressive work experience in partner/stakeholder management, preferably in the Central American context.
• Experience in partnership identification, outreach, and cultivation.
• Administrative and coordination experience, ideally with an NGO.
• Experience implementing or supporting donor-funded projects for rapid response and resilience.
• Management of events and partner-facing initiatives.
• Experience living and working in the Central American region.
• Project or program management experience is desired.
• Proficiency in MS Office suite and Google suite; knowledge of Salesforce is an advantage.

Education

BA in international affairs, communications, marketing, public relations, or related field; or equivalent combination of relevant experience and training.

Knowledge/Skills

• Ability to translate shared objectives into operational delivery and adapt to changing priorities.
• Skill in identifying process gaps and improving partnership processes.
• High-level communication and interpersonal skills.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills, including presentation ability.
• Cultural awareness and ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to coordinate multiple events and activities simultaneously under pressure.
• Discernment for confidentiality in organizational, partner, and donor communications.
• Ability to seek diverse perspectives and foster a culture of learning.
• Adaptability and strong organizational skills.
• Experience working and/or traveling domestically and internationally.
• Fluency in written and spoken English and Spanish and/or French is required.

Working Conditions and Physical Requirements

Routine domestic and international travel up to 50% is required. The role involves both office-based and deployment-based work, with varying physical demands and conditions.

Benefits

• Up to 25 days of accrued vacation
• Up to 80 hours of annual sick leave
• Up to 80 hours of Military Pay and 30 Days Differential
• Medical, Dental, and Vision (GSD covers monthly premium)
• Group Life and AD&D Coverage (GSD covers monthly premium)
• Retirement (Pre and Post Tax Options) and a Company Match
• Matches on Qualified 529 Plans
• Up to 14 Paid Holidays

Note: This role requires eligibility to work in the United States (Charlotte, NC). GSD is unable to provide sponsorship at this time.