Hub Strategy Review and Development Consultant

ABOUT START NETWORK PAKISTAN:

Start Network is a global network of more than 150 humanitarian organisations working to move funding, decision-making and trust closer to crisis-affected communities. READY Pakistan is the Start Network hub in Pakistan, bringing together over 50 local, national and international member organisations to strengthen locally led preparedness, anticipatory action, disaster risk financing, and response. Acted, as the Host Agency of the READY Pakistan Hub, invites Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from qualified individual consultants for the assignment below, to be implemented on behalf of READY Pakistan Hub of Start Network UK.

The operating context of the Hub has changed significantly, including rising climate and disaster risks, shifts in humanitarian financing, and the evolution of Start Network global strategy and hub model. The Hub therefore needs a new strategy that sets clear direction, priorities, and accountability for the coming strategic period, and that reflects the priorities of its members and the communities they serve.

OBJECTIVE:

Review the READY Pakistan Hub's existing strategy and lead a participatory process to develop a new strategy in consultation with stakeholders, Start Network members, and the Start Network team. The new strategy should align with Start Network's global strategy and localisation priorities.

Specific Objectives:

• Assess the relevance, effectiveness, and results of the current Hub strategy.
• Facilitate an inclusive, member-led process that reflects the priorities of local and national members and affected communities.
• Develop a new strategy with clear priorities, a theory of change, results framework, and resource mobilisation and sustainability considerations.
• Ensure alignment with Start Network global strategy, localisation commitments, and national disaster risk management priorities.

INDICATIVE SCOPE OF WORK:

• Desk review of the existing Hub strategy, progress reports, General Assembly outcomes, and Start Network strategic frameworks.
• Assess achievements, gaps, and lessons learned against the current strategy.
• Consult the NSC, local/national and international members, the Start Network UK team, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Facilitate strategy development and validation workshops.
• Develop the new strategy, including vision, strategic priorities, theory of change, results framework, and implementation plan.
• Analyse the external context, including climate and disaster risk trends, humanitarian financing, national policy frameworks, and the comparative advantage of the Hub.
• Develop a resource mobilisation and sustainability approach linked to the strategy.
• Integrate gender, inclusion, accountability to affected populations, and localisation commitments across all strategic priorities.
• Present the draft strategy to the NSC and General Assembly for endorsement, as appropriate.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES (INDICATIVE):

• Inception report and consultation plan.
• Strategy review report (findings and recommendations).
• Facilitate stakeholder consultation and validation workshop(s).
• Final Hub strategy with results framework and implementation plan.
• Validation workshop report capturing stakeholder feedback and how it was addressed.
• Short summary of the strategy (two to three pages) for external communication.

PRE-QUALIFICATION NOTICE:

This summary TOR is issued only for the pre-qualification of individual consultants. Pre-qualified consultants will be contacted individually and invited to respond to a Request for Quotation (RFQ), at which stage the full and detailed TOR will be shared. No financial offer is required at this stage. Financial quotations will only be requested from pre-qualified consultants at RFQ stage.

ETHICS, SAFEGUARDING AND COMPLIANCE:

• The selected consultant will be required to sign and comply with the Acted Code of Conduct and with the policies of Acted and Start Network on safeguarding, PSEAH, child protection, anti-fraud and anti-corruption, conflict of interest, and data protection.
• Acted has zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, collusion, coercion, and any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment. Any attempt to influence the evaluation, including canvassing or offering gifts or favours, will result in disqualification.
• All applicants are subject to due diligence, including screening against applicable sanctions and debarment lists, before any contract is awarded.
• All data, documents, and products developed under this assignment will remain the property of Acted, Start Network, and READY Pakistan, and may not be used, published, or shared without prior written consent. The consultant will keep all information obtained during the assignment confidential.
• Personal data of applicants and of any respondents will be collected, stored, and processed in line with applicable data protection laws and the data protection policies of Acted and Start Network.

Accountability:

All Acted team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of our field projects.

PSEAH Obligation:

• ACTED has a zero-tolerance approach to sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) and strives to recruit those who share our values.
• All candidates will be subject to a pre-employment check that includes satisfactory references, screening, and criminal checks in line with legal requirements.
• All candidates who have been offered a position will sign and respect ACTED’s Code of Conduct and related policies as part of their work contract. All staff are expected to abide by the standards of behaviour outlined in those documents.
• Managers will have a special responsibility to foster a safe environment.
• Misconduct can lead to serious disciplinary sanctions.