WHAT IS START NETWORK?

Start Network is a global membership of 55 organisations, working across six continents, to tackle what we see as the biggest systemic problems in the global humanitarian system. Start Network is an independent charity. We also work with Save the Children UK, which acts a grant custodian for Start Network.

Start Network’s vision is for a locally led humanitarian system that is accountable to people affected by and at risk of crises. We aim to achieve this vision by making system-level shifts in how humanitarian assistance is approached and delivered.

OUR SOLUTIONS

DECENTRAISLING & LOCALLY-LED ACTION: Shifting power and resources and decentralising decision-making to locally led networks and organisations.

EARLY & RAPID FINANCING: Building a global financing system that reduces risk, anticipates, and acts ahead of predictable crises.

COMMUNITY-LED INNOVATION: Incentivising innovative, locally led, and contextual solutions and learning from them together with people affected by crises.

To devolve and decentralise power within the global humanitarian system, we are working to become a distributed and global network of civil society hubs and members supported by a global platform that fosters connections, alignment of members, and innovation. Hubs are locally led networks of local, national, and international humanitarian actors working together to develop contextualised ways of dealing with humanitarian crises. We currently have five hubs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Guatemala, India, the Pacific, and Pakistan.

For more information about Start Network and what we do, please visit our website.

JOB PURPOSE

The Head of Evidence ensures that the Network has robust evidence, analysis, and feedback systems to enable internal and external awareness and understanding of its effectiveness, results, and impact. This role acts as the custodian of the organisation’s theory of change, charged with determining, informing, and monitoring the outcomes and indicators contained therein. It also oversees the research agenda and the Start Network’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEAL) activities across all programmes and initiatives. The role also ensures that the network and its stakeholders have trusted information and analysis to help improve humanitarian operations, achieve better outcomes for people affected by crisis, and effect systems change.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

STRATEGY AND THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

• Lead the development and implementation of the evidence strategy and the Start research agenda

• Critically examine and improve the quality of Start’s current approaches and their validity and consistency

• Remain up to date with industry trends, tools and best practices and integrate them into Start Network’s own practices

RESEARCH MANAGEMENT AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

• Identify, gather, and analyse all evidence generated across Start activities and initiatives and ensure the Network can articulate its impact at programme, network, and system level

• Develop and maintain processes that gather inputs and feedback from Start Network’s key stakeholders, including members, partners, and donors

• Develop and maintain consistent, coherent, and practical MEAL tools and approaches

• Manage the implementation of the Start Network research agenda

• Support the management of programme evaluation and learning exercises

• Contribute to and, where appropriate lead development of policies, processes and tools that drive improvements in standards of effectiveness and accountability of initiatives

EDITORIAL SUPPORT

• Together with the Head of Communications and Digital, support the delivery of the Start Network Annual Report, leading on data collation, analysis, and content to evidence impact, learning and accountability

• Working closely with the Head of Communications and Digital, ensure evidence generated by Start Network is shared across the network and with the public through social media

LINE MANAGEMENT / MATRIX MANAGEMENT

• Lead, manage and develop a team of researchers and data analysts

• Matrix management all Start MEAL capacity, ensuring quality delivery and professional development

REPRESENTATION AND OUTREACH

• Represent Start Network at both internal and external talks, events, workshops, and forums to influence the sector and gather learning

• Work with the Start Network membership to share insights and good practice on evidence and learning initiatives commissioned

START NETWORK CULTURE

• To carry out the responsibilities of the role in line with the Start Network Code of Conduct and with a commitment to safeguarding adults and children

• A commitment to the Start Network vision, principles, values, and approach

• The Start Network team is an agile group of individuals who use their experience and skills across the network, so flexibility to work in and with different teams and functions is a part of our culture.

PERSON PROFILE

EXPERIENCE

• A higher degree in NGO management sciences, humanitarian-related studies and/or one of the social sciences

• Demonstrated experience in developing MEAL and research strategies and tools

• Demonstrated experience in leading and managing collaborative and complex research projects

• Demonstrated experience in promoting collaborative approaches for cross- and interorganisational learning

• Experience in leading complex Monitoring and Evaluation, Research or Evidence teams

• Demonstrable understanding of quality, effectiveness, and accountability initiatives in the humanitarian sector

• Extensive knowledge of current trends and developments related to knowledge management, evidencing impact and MEAL level

SKILLS

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to deal tactfully and sensitively with a wide range of people in a large organisation, often at a distance

• Excellent networking and relationship management skills

• Excellent analytical skills to provide guidance on qualitative and quantitative methods and to establish strong understanding of programmes

• Proven problem-solving skills to provide a range of practical solutions to operational challenges

• Proven ability to manage a dispersed and/or matrix-managed team

• Proven negotiation and influencing skills

• Flexibility and ability to adapt according to direction of Start Network Competencies - Leading and Inspiring others

• Working effectively with others

• Innovating and Adapting

• Problem solving and decision making

• Delivering Results

• Experience of working with second languages, preferably French, Spanish, Portuguese, or Arabic

OUR OFFER TO YOU

• Centrally located office space if based in the UK, with onsite drinks available free of charge

• Hybrid working with options to work from home and remotely

• Flexible working arrangements

• Contributory pension

• Life Assurance

• Family friendly policies

• Learning and development opportunities for individuals and cross-organisationally

• 25 days’ holiday plus 2 company days over the Christmas/End of Year period

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

Our roles are open to discussion about flexible working. For part-time working and job-shares, please get in touch with us for a conversation about possibilities.

Start Network is committed to protecting people, particularly children, at-risk adults and affected populations from any harm. We are also committed to safeguarding staff from any forms of bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and abuse of power as outlined in the Dignity at Work policy. Start Network embraces diversity, promotes equality of opportunity and eliminates unlawful discrimination. We are an equal opportunities employer and treat every application on merit alone. We particularly encourage applications from disabled, BAME, LGBTQ+ and non-binary candidates. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for disabled applicants who meet our essential selection criteria set out in the Person Profile.

APPLICATION

Applications should be through Be Applied our online recruitment platform which uses anonymised applications and predictive, skill-based assessments which are blind- reviewed to reduce bias.

If you have any questions or need support with your application, please email us using peopleandculture@startnetwork.org

Closing date: Sunday 22nd January 2023

Applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so please apply early where possible

Any offer of employment will be conditional subject to relevant checks. Please refer to our privacy statement and candidate privacy notice regarding treatment of your data. Start Network also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. The core of the scheme is that participating organisations share information about safeguarding-related misconduct (i.e., sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, or sexual harassment) that a candidate has been found to have committed during employment, or incidents under investigation when the candidate left employment. For more information regarding this scheme, please visit their website: https://misconduct-disclosure-scheme.org/