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 

Advocacy plays a critical role in Start Network’s efforts to realize its vision of transforming the humanitarian system. The advocacy team is tasked with placing Start Network at the forefront of high-level influencing initiatives in the humanitarian sector, advocating for a more locally led, equitable, innovative, and proactive system. 

The External Engagement and Advocacy Advisor will lead key areas of the team focused on strengthening advocacy and influencing outcomes related to locally led humanitarian action, new forms of financing and collective innovation. This includes building relationships with key stakeholders, including Start Network teams, hubs, members, donors, and global allies. The Advisor will be responsible for implementing the policy and advocacy strategy, aimed at amplifying the visibility and impact of Start Network and its members, ultimately driving broader systemic change in the humanitarian sector.  

This role is on a 12-month contract with a possibility of extension, subject to funding.  

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

Influencing and Policy Engagement  

• Identify and map key influencing spaces in the humanitarian system. This includes NGOs, the UN System, governments, and civil society organisations, ensuring that the Start Network can focus its efforts on delivering impact and change.  

• Lead the development of impactful messaging. This includes key messages and policy asks by working with other team members across the organisation to build content that draws on the experience and learning of Start Network locally led work. 

• Create impactful advocacy and policy products such as position papers, policy briefs and newspaper articles to reach and mobilise action for a range of audiences and platforms including members, donors, and networks. 

Campaigns 

• Lead the development and implementation of advocacy campaigns that align with Start Network's wider mission and vision, particularly in innovation and locally led action. 

• Promote the use of new channels of mobilising action in the humanitarian sector particularly targeting governments and decision-makers to create impact-driven campaigns. 

• Bring new campaign ideas to reach wider audiences that might not be familiar with the areas of focus of Start Network. 

External Engagement, Convening, and Visibility 

• Represent Start Network in working groups, relevant conferences, and forums to promote Start Network’s advocacy on innovation and locally led action. 

• Build strong working relationships with collaborators in other organisations, both within the Start Network membership and externally, to leverage the impact of our advocacy work 

• Strategically utilise the expertise of Start Network’s diverse membership to drive tangible advocacy actions across the network. 

• Support team members across the organisation in the preparation of events, conferences, and public speaking opportunities by drafting notes and key points, planning sessions and providing general support during the event 

Capacity Building 

• Lead the planning and delivery of advocacy and influencing training courses to support our members' and hubs’ objectives.  

• Support hubs to develop their own advocacy strategies, ensuring it is a locally driven effort. 

• Work with hubs and members to strengthen their public speaking and networking skills aiming to maximise their external engagement.  

Start Network Advocacy 

• Promote and create advocacy opportunities for Start Network in key international platforms. 

• Provide stakeholder and political landscape mapping to determine advocacy opportunities at the international and regional (especially hub countries) level. 

• Support the CEO and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) to engage in high-level policy opportunities. 

• Support the wider Start Network advocacy strategy to position Start Network as a leading agent of change, based on the impact of our work in locally led action, and innovation, in addition to new financing. 

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 

Essential Experience 

• Proven experience in leading the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, including campaigning and influencing efforts to drive systemic change. 

• Strong understanding of the humanitarian sector and key thematic issues, particularly in areas such as new financing, innovation, and locally led action. 

• Extensive experience engaging in policy forums and working groups, effectively contributing to discussions and influencing outcomes. 

• Demonstrated expertise in research and writing, producing high-quality content that informs policy and advocacy efforts. 

Essential Skills 

• Technical knowledge of innovation and locally led action. 

• Passion and energy to play a supporting role in developing the crisis anticipation and risk financing advocacy strategy and implementation for Start Network 

• Demonstrable experience in collaboration, including forging and maintaining effective new relationships and partnerships, often across organisational boundaries 

• An effective networker who can build effective trust-based relationships and networks at a senior level 

• Ability to communicate ideas clearly and enthusiastically to a range of stakeholders from donors to technical experts, both verbal and written across a range of mediums 

• Strong interpersonal skills, being able to work across Start Network team, with members, donors, and other stakeholders 

• Ability to prioritise work, managing time and resources effectively 

• An ability to mobilise people in a highly decentralised environment towards a desired outcome 

• Competence in a second language (desirable) 

Key Competencies 

• 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 

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

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

• 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. 

• 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. 

• 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.