WHAT IS START NETWORK?

Our purpose is to be a catalyst for system-level change that improves the efficiency, effectiveness and ethics of humanitarian action. We do this by working as a network to develop, test & spread new ways of collaborating and resourcing locally-led crisis response and anticipation.

Our current membership is made up of nearly 100 local, national and international NGOs based all around the world. We also support 10 national and regional hubs made up of civil society organisations and NGOs as our vehicle for devolving power, resources and accountability.

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.

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

OUR VALUES

WE PUT PEOPLE FIRST: Communities come first in our decision-making and programming.

WE ARE BRAVE: We have great ambition and are willing to explore new things and take risks to achieve it

WE OPERATE COLLECTIVELY: We leverage the value of working as a network, sharing risk and resources, and learning together.

WE ARE INCLUSIVE: We see the value in diverse perspectives and work to remove the barriers that prevent voices from being heard.

WE ARE OPEN: We work transparently and with integrity, building mutual trust in all levels of our work, from governance to programming.

WE ARE ETHICAL: We behave and operate based on key principles of anti-racism, non-discrimination, and anti-colonialism. This is a work in progress.

JOB PURPOSE

The Communications Officer will be responsible for supporting the communications and digital team to maintain consistent and high-quality communications across our global membership, donors and external stakeholders. 

They will handle the day-to-day operations of our programme communications, website, social media platforms, member community forum, asset management, email marketing, and event communication, ensuring consistent messaging and branding.

The post-holder will need to have a collaborative and inclusive spirit as this role will involve working closely and across teams within and outside Start Network. They will be a great writer, editor with good attention to detail, and an eye for design.

The Communications Officer will report to the Communications Manager and will work closely with the Digital team to ensure success of both digital and traditional communications.

 KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Content development, publication, and dissemination

• Craft and edit compelling multimedia content for a global audience including news articles, press releases, blogs, videos, and case studies  

• Adapt content for websites, social media, email campaigns, etc., ensuring each format is optimized for its specific audience and channel. 

• Plan and maintain the content calendar together with the Digital team to ensure consistent delivery and audience engagement. 

• Promote and disseminate content through various channels including but not limited to social media and partner platforms 

• Collaborate with Start Network teams, members, and hubs to transform and disseminate reports, learning materials, grants, impact stories and other resources into clear, compelling, and accessible formats. 

• Uphold the Start Network brand by ensuring all external facing materials is according to the brand guidelines 

 Communications materials, and assets 

• Develop and maintain communication materials of Start Network including but not limited to fact sheets, brochures, marketing materials, presentations, core scripts, impact reports, guidance and templates, etc and ensure the team and members are able to effectively use them

• Ensure that visibility guidelines for members and programmes are kept up to date, and work with members and hubs to ensure these are being used accordingly

• Maintain the organisation and accessibility of Start Network's digital assets. This includes maintaining our digital asset platform and keeping tabs on photos, videos, presentations, logos, and other creative materials from and for members, hubs, and the Start Network team.

Communications platform management 

• Support the management of Start Network’s social media channels and manage day-to-day engagement in close collaboration with the Digital team 

• Lead the management of the member community by posting weekly news and updates from across our programmes and lead on the production of email newsletters and e-marketing. 

• Support the management of digital platforms handled by the Communications and Digital team 

• Communication operations 

• Support the communications team meetings, including book diaries and setting up Zoom links when relevant. 

• Manage the communications inbox and ensure enquiries are dealt with swiftly. 

• Work with the finance team to process invoices from communications suppliers. 

• Ensure communications contacts and relationships are managed using Salesforce. 

• Closely work with Event Coordinator to ensure Start Network events are well-promoted and disseminated 

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

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

ESSENTIAL

• Excellent prioritisation and time-management skills and an ability to work under pressure and tight deadlines while delivering quality output 

• Collaborative spirit to work with various teams both internal and external to deliver excellent output 

• Experience in crafting compelling stories in various forms for diverse audiences 

• Ability to handle and manage social media accounts and digital platforms 

• Competency in design softwares (Adobe, Canva, etc) 

• Strong editorial skills and an eye for detail 

DESIRABLE

• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a communications function within a fast-paced environment 

• Good knowledge of the aid sector, humanitarian journalists and media, networks, and organisations  

• Good working knowledge of both new and traditional media and ability to adapt content across contexts 

KEY COMPETENCIES

Communication: Flex communication style to convey complex information concisely to different audiences, avoiding jargon and using simple language

Strategic Thinking: Able to plan and deliver flexibly to take account of changing internal and/or external factors by reprioritising and asking for help

Collaboration: Embrace diverse perspectives by using collaborative language, recognising and taking account of power dynamics

Leadership of self and others: Willing to share own expertise with others in the organisation and network, both formally and informally

Ability to adapt and learn: Seek to learn lessons and apply the learning to future work by actively asking questions, being honest, curious and brave to abandon things that aren’t working

Getting things done the Start Network way: Overcome obstacles by taking initiative to identify issues, seeking help to address them and escalating appropriately