Partnership Preparation Specialist II

Country: Thailand

Field Based: Mae Sot, Mae Sariang, and Mae Hong Song

Partnership Preparation Specialist – Thai-Myanmar Border

Role Summary

This intermediate-level professional is responsible for identifying, selecting, and preparing local churches for partnership with Compassion in the Thai-Myanmar border region. The role requires deep familiarity with Thai-Myanmar church networks, fluency in Karen, and the ability to travel across the border . The specialist will mobilize churches, cast vision for child and youth ministry, and coordinate partnership readiness in alignment with Compassion’s ministry philosophies and child protection standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Church Engagement & Vision Casting
• Build relationships with church leaders i.e. Karen Baptist Convention, Myanmar Council of Churches, and other ethnic Christian churches.
• Cast vision for Compassion’s Children Beyond Borders (CBB) programs and mobilize churches to organize their own governance structures.
• Facilitate ownership and non-dependency mindset among potential partners.

• Partnership Preparation

• Coordinate assessments of geographic areas and identify churches aligned with Compassion’s Partnership and Growth Strategy.
• Lead initial interviews, assessments, and training workshops.
• Ensure churches understand and commit to Compassion’s Child Protection standards and QAVAH principles

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Partnership Facilitators, Program Trainers, and other church-facing team members.
• Support the Sponsorship Launch grant process and initial training for new partners.

• Strategic Communication

• Provide input to Public Relations and Communications teams based on local church feedback.
• Represent Compassion in child and youth-related forums and maintain visibility in the region.

• Operational Coordination

• Track and manage the preparation and selection process for new partnerships.
• Ensure proper signing of Partnership Agreements and smooth transition to Partnership Facilitators.
• Build relationships with church leaders i.e. Karen Baptist Convention, Myanmar Council of Churches, and other ethnic Christian churches.
• Cast vision for Compassion’s Children Beyond Borders (CBB) programs and mobilize churches to organize their own governance structures.
• Facilitate ownership and non-dependency mindset among potential partners.
• Coordinate assessments of geographic areas and identify churches aligned with Compassion’s Partnership and Growth Strategy.
• Lead initial interviews, assessments, and training workshops.
• Ensure churches understand and commit to Compassion’s Child Protection standards and QAVAH principles
• Work closely with Partnership Facilitators, Program Trainers, and other church-facing team members.
• Support the Sponsorship Launch grant process and initial training for new partners.
• Provide input to Public Relations and Communications teams based on local church feedback.
• Represent Compassion in child and youth-related forums and maintain visibility in the region.
• Track and manage the preparation and selection process for new partnerships.
• Ensure proper signing of Partnership Agreements and smooth transition to Partnership Facilitators.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in theology, ministry, or a related field.
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years working with churches or in community development in Myanmar or border regions.
• Language: Fluent in Karen; working knowledge of Burmese is highly preferred.
• Travel: Willing and able to travel along the Thai-Myanmar border, including crossing rivers and remote areas (Hpa-An, Mu Traw, Karenni, Hsaw Ti)

Preferred Attributes

• Deep respect and passion for working with church leaders.
• Strong coordination and communication skills.
• Familiarity with ethnic church dynamics and theological frameworks.
• Committed to Compassion’s cultural behaviors and child protection mandate.