WHAT IS START NETWORK?

Start Network is made up of more than 80 local, national, and international NGOs with a working together in over 158 countries. Start Network is an independent charity. We also work with Save the Children, which acts a grant custodian for Start Network.

Both locally positioned and globally connected, our vision is to mobilise a locally-driven humanitarian system that is accountable to people affected by and at risk of crisis. 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.

BACKGROUND

Start Ready is an innovative global pooled fund for anticipatory action implemented by Start Network member NGOs (local, national and international) in 8 countries ahead of predictable crises, particularly climate-related hazards, based on pre-arranged plans developed with local communities. Its financial mechanism relies upon risk-pooling and insurance, allowing to stretch the funds pre-positioned for crises that happen with regular patterns of reoccurrence in Africa, Asia and Central America. The second update of the Enhanced Humanitarian Response Capacity (ERC) Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP) by DG-ECHO names Start Network as their delivery partner to pilot approaches to anticipatory action through Start Ready. The pilot grant is expected to run for 18 months from October 2023.

JOB PURPOSE

Based in the Institutional Funding team, this role will enable Start Network to deliver on its strategic partnership with ECHO, supporting the donor to pilot Start Ready anticipatory action and create efficiencies in humanitarian action under their existing funding framework. Start Network is looking for a talented relationship builder who has experience working with ECHO and an interest in catalysing change for the humanitarian system.

This partnership is new for Start Network and the position will require an interest in piloting new approaches, as well as some technical experience with ECHO funding. The Strategic Partnership Officer will take ownership of the partnership, coordinating across all function areas to manage donor engagement and deliverables for the anticipatory action pilot; leading quality reporting, engaging communications, and practical advice for the Start Ready team during implementation.

Key relationships are both internal and external, including direct contact with the donor as well as Save the Children Germany in their capacity as grant custodian.

This position is planned for the length of the Start Ready pilot partnership; 18 months with the possibility of extension if the relationship leads to further funding from ECHO.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

Relationship Management (20%)

• Act as the main contact at Start Network for ECHO colleagues

• Develop and deliver a donor engagement strategy and plan of action

• Take ownership of the ECHO partnership; engage and motivate team members to deliver

• Regularly update ECHO key progress and programme changes

• Work with ECHO to increase the flexibility and accessibility of their funding

• As required, represent Start Network at strategic events

Project Management (30%)

• Work with the Start Ready team to monitor programmatic implementation

• Work with the Finance and Grants Advisor and Save the Children Germany to ensure funds are implemented in compliance with ECHO rules and regulations

• Coordinate Single Form updates and formal amendments as required

• Negotiate and coordinate externally and internally to deliver partnership objectives

• Make sure we are collaborating across the organisation to leverage the ECHO relationship

Reporting and Communication (40%)

• Meet the communication needs and expectations of ECHO, working collaboratively with colleagues across Start Network teams to provide timely, relevant information

• Manage and facilitate delivery of ECHO visibility and reporting requirements in collaboration with the Start Ready and Communications teams

• Develop engaging content about Start Ready and the partnership with ECHO

• Coordinate and write summary reports when there is a Start Ready activation

• Seek out and support opportunities to build visibility of the programme

• Where appropriate, work with Start Network member NGOs in countries of implementation to develop engaging positioning and communications material for Start Ready Internal coordination and capacity building (10%)

• Identify organisational capacity needs and work with the relevant teams to develop appropriate systems, processes, and training to manage ECHO funding

• As required, support locally-led Hub networks in setting up their funding infrastructure

Start Network Culture

• 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

• Demonstrate 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

• Excellent communication and coordination skills in English

• Strong storytelling abilities, experience writing for impact

• Knowledge of the ECHO Single Form structure and general donor compliance

• Experience developing narrative reports and donor engagement material

• Ability to understand and support the development of complex financial reports

• Experience of building relationships across diverse teams and geographies

• Ability to negotiate with and influence a wide range of stakeholders

• Confidence to represent the programme at strategic events

• Proven analytical skills, a creative and positive approach to problem-solving

• Understanding of humanitarian issues

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Communication Able to convey complex information concisely to different audiences

• Strategic Thinking Deliver results with awareness of impact on others internally and externally by considering the positions and perspectives of relevant stakeholders

• Collaboration Actively promote collaboration by spotting and breaking down barriers to siloed working, connecting colleagues, teams and initiatives

• 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 Balance the need to follow systems and processes with the courage, identifying when systems and processes do not align with the mission, suggesting alternatives

• Getting things done the Start Network way Deliver results in pursuit of our mission by holding yourself to account for your work

OUR OFFER TO YOU

• Being part of a network bringing change to the humanitarian sector

• Centrally located office space with free onsite hot drinks, bike storage and gym access

• 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 (pro rata) plus 2 company days over the End of Year period

INFORMATION FOR CANDIDATES

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

Recruitment timeline: Application deadline 22nd September 2023. Interviews 9th to 13th October.

Ideal start date 8th November 2023 (negotiable for the right candidate.)

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/