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 role will represent operations as part of the Senior Management Team of the People, Operations & Assurance Directorate, working closely with colleagues to lead the organisation in delivering Start Network’s strategic objectives and priorities.

This role will contribute to Start Network being a strong, compliant, decentralised and resilient organisation by ensuring that wherever staff are based, they have the tools to do their job, are working with relevant and up to date systems and are supported by clearly articulated policies and processes.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

• As operations business partner, understand Start Network’s strategy to develop and maintain high quality operations functions to achieve the charity’s priorities

• Lead on the delivery of the Operation Team’s annual business plan and budget, including managing centrally allocated interpreting and consultancy pots

• Co-lead the organisational annual business planning, budget process and associated statutory and board reports to ensure consistency and alignment with legal requirements and organisational strategy

• Role model cross-team collaboration and leadership as a member of Senior Management Team

OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

Policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

• Support the Assurance function with roll out and implementation of organisational level policies and SOPs

• Lead on the development, maintenance and implementation of policies and SOPs across operational areas, ensuring relevant cross-organisational participation

Procurement and Contract Management

• Oversee the procurement function including development and implementation of procurement and contract management systems and processes in collaboration with the finance and legal teams.

• Advise and lead on the procurement, management and delivery of third-party contracts including host contracts in the UK and other programme and hub countries.

• Manage Start Network’s IT and hardware administrator (third party supplier) so that staff are working with secure and updated systems, hardware and software and are receiving timely and relevant support.

Facilities, Events & Asset Management

• Lead on property search, lease negotiation, rent reviews, tenancy and contract management of Start Network’s offices (Lease ends September 2025).

• Responsible for operational Health and Safety in accordance with policies, guidance, and regulations

• Accountable for purchasing and managing Start Network’s assets (including laptops) and maintaining associated asset register and disposal schedule.

• Work with the grant management team to ensure that asset management is integrated into award contracts and monitoring checklists

• Lead on logistical arrangements for key Start Network events in the UK, providing operational advice to non UK events via the events coordinator.

Travel and Security

• Work with the Senior Management Team and Directorate to develop and roll out crisis management and business continuity planning initiatives

• Work with the Assurance team to ensure that Start Network has travel and security policies and processes which prioritise safety, are clearly understood and implemented by colleagues, and aligned to our strategic ambition of working in complex contexts

• Manage the relationships with the third party travel provider and be responsible for assessing low/moderate risk rated travel request

LINE MANAGEMENT

• Line manage direct reports, supporting them to work at the best potential and actively building an inclusive team culture in line with our values

CROSS-ORGANISATIONAL INITIATIVES

Organisational Strengthening

• Work with the Membership Team, develop operational function service offers to members and hubs as required as part of the organisational strengthening initiative

• Provide operational leadership to ensure Start Network meets its ‘Network of Network’ vision, working with the Network Development team to support Hubs to independence

Project Management

• Lead on development and roll out of a project management approach in Start Network, including managing Start Network project management resources and coordinating high level project interdependencies, costs and benefits

Organisational Process Improvement

• Lead on project managing organisational transformation and process improvement initiatives, ensuring that core deliverables and objectives are met to time and on budget.

Environmental Policy

• Sponsor the environment/climate change initiative group supporting the development of an organisational wide environment policy and associated processes and principles

Digital Transformation

• Participate in the digital transformation workstream by representing operations and ensuring Start Network’s digital systems and processes are fit-for-purpose and future- proofed

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

• Project management experience and/or qualification

• Procurement and operations management including experience of advising others

• Budget management experience

• Change management experience a plus

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint; knowledge of SharePoint is a plus

• Experience of document management systems (Onedrive, Box)

KEY COMPETENCIES

Communication - Communicate openly and transparently with integrity, promoting inclusivity, timeliness and clarity of messages, actively listening to build trust.

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

Strategic Thinking - Able to see the bigger picture and make connections between the parts and the whole, use networks and systems thinking to support our work.

• Hold both a strategic perspective and enough detail to work with one part of the organisation whilst understanding the impact on other parts of the organisation and network through listening and engaging with other teams

Collaboration - Work effectively with others, embracing diverse perspectives, knowing when to step up and when to step back

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

Leadership of Self and Others - Aware of self and impact on others, able to reflect upon and develop self and others to their full potential

• Coach others across the organisation through formal and informal channels, actively developing talent

Ability to Adapt and Learn - Able to respond to change in external and/or internal circumstances and to uncertainty and risk to continue to deliver

• 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 - Strive to deliver results in pursuit of our vision and purpose, taking initiative, being action-oriented and resourceful

• Make best use of all of available resources, including people, technology and money to enable increased automation, digitisation and value for money