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 Network Development Advisor (Partnerships) is crucial in the transformation of Start Network into a distributed network of locally led Hubs through dedicated facilitation of Hubs to successfully transition through the Hub development process while supporting Start Network throughout the transformation process.  

As part of the Network Development Team and in close collaboration and coordination with the wider Start Network, this role will be responsible for supporting a portfolio of Hubs to build and strengthen their systems, structures and processes in line with their vision for systems change. Furthermore, the post-holder will facilitate hub coordinators and leaders to build relationships and trust amongst Hub members and other key stakeholders while weaving meaningful engagement and collaboration with the wider Start Network for aligned service delivery to the Hubs. 

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES 

SUPPORT HUBS TO DEVELOP IN LINE WITH THEIR VISION AND GOALS 

• Support Hubs to co-design and implement their vision and strategy for catalysing system-level change in their respective contexts. 

• Accompany and guide Hubs through their respective development journeys, by facilitating access to resources, technical or otherwise, to enable them to develop and/or strengthen their systems, structures and processes that are fit for purpose.  

• Facilitate virtual and in-person meetings, workshops, and trainings in collaboration with Hub leaders to help (re)centre their efforts as a collective while unlocking challenging conversations around power dynamics, relationships, shared purpose and accountability. 

• Foster peer-peer connections and collaborations between and among hubs enabling mutual learning and accountability. 

FOSTER AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE FOR HUB FORMATION 

• Facilitate collaboration between Hubs and the wider Start Network in adopting user-centred approaches in the co-design of Hub processes and infrastructure.  

• Work with Hubs and the wider Start Network to ensure that Hubs represent genuine interest in challenging the status quo within the context of their humanitarian systems and beyond and in line with Start Network’s strategy and values.  This includes serving as a critical friend to Hubs by offering constructive feedback in a supportive way and within the framework of a trusting relationship. 

• Manage and build trusting and effective working relationships with consultants, partners or other potential providers of support or strategic alignment to Hubs. 

PROMOTE AND CONTRIBUTE TO LEARNING AND STRATEGIC DESIGN 

• Collaborate with the Learning Advisor to co-design learning initiatives that enable Hubs and Start Network to reflect, and course correct where necessary, based on evidence of the process and impact of hub development at operational and strategic levels.  

• Monitor and update hub progression against set indicators through various stages ensuring accountability to hub members, peer hubs and Start Network. 

• Contribute to the strategic design and planning of future approaches to hub development including the co-design of alternative hub models and the intake of future cohorts 

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 

TECHNICAL SKILLS 

• Extensive experience in network weaving, collaboration and partnership brokering, including forging and maintaining relationships and partnerships, often across organisational and cultural boundaries 

• Demonstrable experience working to promote locally led action, localisation, community-organising or decolonisation of aid 

• Demonstrable experience in facilitation, coaching, mentoring and leadership support 

• Proven experience of embracing new approaches, experimentation and ways of working  

• Experience working in the humanitarian sector, with knowledge of the humanitarian architecture, advocacy fora and current debates within the sector 

• Proven experience working in member-based organisations, networks or movements 

PERSONAL SKILLS  

• A network mindset with ability to recognise and respond with agility to complex and challenging situations 

• Proven analytical and problem-solving skills, with a proactive mindset to co-design, identify or build upon opportunities to improve our work 

• Strong ability to build trust, show empathy, collaborate and inspire change 

• Comfortable challenging and re-thinking the status-quo and an ability to sensitively help others to do the same 

• Passionate about achieving change in complex settings, a willingness to challenge and be challenged 

• Effective and empathetic communicator, with strong listening  and presentation skills to confidently represent Start Network  

• Knowledge and experience of ways of working that are non-extractive, culturally informed and seek to rebalance power dynamics 

• Innovative, collaborative and creative thinker with ability to work collaboratively in a team set-up 

• Ability to work as part of a team independently, and flexibly  

DESIRABLE 

• Additional languages, particularly French and Spanish or other languages in Hub countries 

• Experience directly working within or in partnership with local or national non-governmental organisations 

• Experience working in Hub countries 

• Demonstrable experience in systems change/thinking approaches to facilitate change  

KEY COMPETENCIES 

Communication: 

• Influence stakeholders to address difficult or complex issues by listening to diverse perspectives, finding common ground and avoiding criticism or complaint 

• Actively listen and know when to hold space rather than fill it, inviting others to participate by asking questions based on an understanding of individuals 

 Strategic Thinking: 

• Balance the tension between thinking, trialling and deciding to move forward in line with expectations from key stakeholders, namely members and Hubs 

 Collaboration: 

• Recognise and actively seek to build trust, working through conflicts by acknowledging their importance, focusing on the issue not the person, analysing different perspectives and working together 

 Leadership of self and others: 

• Seek to understand and act upon own areas for growth, reflecting and learning from things that have not gone so well by showing vulnerability and openness to change 

 Ability to adapt and learn: 

• Anticipate the ‘what ifs’ and actively plan to navigate them together with the team, seeking collaborative solutions and drawing on those with relevant expertise 

• 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: 

• Identify opportunities and take calculated risks to capitalise on opportunities that further our purpose and mission without compromising our vision