Risk Finance Design Lead

We are seeking an individual with substantial knowledge of different approaches to disaster risk financing to join us as Risk Finance Design Lead. You will lead an innovative multi-stakeholder design process for the Start financing facility (SFF) that seeks to radically improve the way in which humanitarian financing flows in and out of crisis situations.

The Start Network is a global network of 42 national and international NGOs leading for change in humanitarian aid. Their aim is to deliver effective aid, harnessing the power and knowledge of the network to make faster and better decisions to help people affected by crises in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. They promote a way of working that reduces the power of centralised institutions and give more control to communities and individuals on the front line of crises. To realise this vision, they seek to create a humanitarian sector that is more diverse, decentralised and collaborate. Its programmes include the Start Fund (financing for rapid response to under-the-radar crises of unexpected spikes in humanitarian need); Start Engage (helping communities to prepare for the respond to crises); Start Response (collaboration and aggregation for large scale crises) and Start Labs (fostering innovation in the humanitarian sector). The Start Team is presently hosted by Save the Children UK on behalf of all the network’s member agencies, but is working towards independent status.

In partnership with the World Bank and a team of technical consultants and partners, The Start Labs team are developing and piloting new, innovative solutions to radically improve the way in which humanitarian financing flows in and out of crisis situations. In this role you will work autonomously in managing a strategic design process which generates financial, legal and technical content from a team of external consultants and other experts from across the humanitarian and financing sectors. You will also build on existing Start labs experiments in risk financing, working with other members of the Labs team and Start Network team to ensure a coherent design process. The final result will be the production of a concept design for the facility at the end of the twelve-month period. You will engage in high-level influencing to promote the concept design, working with the Start Labs Manager and Start Network Director.

To be successful you will have extensive experience in humanitarian programming, financing tools and of leading complex multi stakeholder partnerships. You will have substantial knowledge of different approaches to disaster risk financing and have the ability to communicate effectively. You will also have:

· Successful experience creating and implementing strategy, as well as engaging a variety of stakeholders to deliver against this strategy

· Proven ability to coordinate teams of consultants to deliver against a complex brief

· The ability to develop effective external communications material

· The ability to apply thinking and tools from other sectors and initiatives to humanitarian context, acting as a leader to support others to change and adapt to new ways of working

· Proven track record of identifying and initiating new partnerships

· Analytical and problem-solving skills in order to fully understand humanitarian financial needs and identify practical solutions to operational challenges.

Competency in a second language is desirable.

At Save the Children we are committed to the safeguarding and protection of children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children are recruited to work for us. This post is subject to a range of vetting checks including a criminal records disclosure.

If you share our belief in the power of children, join the fight. It takes relentless determination, creativity and a real commitment to real change. Because every child should be able to make their mark on their world, and help to build a better future. We look forward to hearing from you.

Closing date: 25^th September 2018

Please note: applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews may commence prior to the closing date, therefore early applications are encouraged.