READY Pakistan HUB Coordinator

Objective:

The Hub Coordinator position is expected to play a pivotal role by acting as a central coordination point for all Start Network in-country hub activities. Start Network Pakistan in-country hub is now named as READY Pakistan - Resilient, Early Action to Disasters around the Year, Pakistan. The long-term goal is to establish and strengthen an in-country hub and incorporate existing Start Network funding mechanisms as well as new instruments, to provide a continuum of funding that will enable all members to better protect communities at risk.

Introduction:

The Start Network has had a long and active presence in Pakistan, through its members and various initiatives. Start’s mission and vision of transforming the humanitarian system through localized action, innovation and new ways of financing are shared by many humanitarian actors in Pakistan, who see a clear alignment between Start’s potential and the challenges; they face in their own context. Since 2017, Start Network members and partners in Pakistan have come together to design and create their own network structure that could bring together Start’s current and future activities in-country through a coherent and locally led initiative which is called as READY Pakistan Hub.

Resilient, Early Action to Disasters around the Year, Pakistan (READY Pakistan) is leading for change in humanitarian aid in Pakistan and is at present in the process of getting itself registered with government of Pakistan. It aims to build a system for humanitarian partnership established in Pakistan, linked globally, striving for quality results and innovation to benefit disaster-affected communities. Once registered as a legal entity READY Pakistan will be a platform of in-country local, national and international organizations for controlling their own resources and defining their own responses to crises, under the overall policy framework of Start Network. The hubs will be led by organizations based in the country. Initially, five founding hubs have been announced by Start Network UK (Democratic Republic of Congo, Guatemala, India, the Pacific region, and Pakistan). Until August 2021 these Hub establishment projects are going through “proof of concept” phase. For this initiative to work as intended, it must be led by those closest to the frontline, and eventually become an autonomous and self-governing network. A network that is connected to others like it around the world as part of same global mission, but accountable to and led by its constituency,” The local humanitarian actors that are members of the network”.

Current Status of READY Pakistan Hub:

Welthungerhilfe WHH, Pakistan was selected as Disaster Risk Finance DRF program host organization to support establishment of risk financing system in Pakistan in 2019. DRF program is successfully operational since early 2020. Capitalizing the success of the DRF program the National Steering Committee (NSC) has appointed WHH Pakistan to take forward the DRF Program/Project implementation and establishment of in-country Hub. WHH is supported by an all-inclusive Hub Realization Team -HRT consisting of five members (WHH, Action Against Hunger-ACF, Concern Worldwide, and two representatives from National Humanitarian Network, NHN and Indus Consortium, respectively). This team was formed in 2019 to steer the Programs /Projects and process of Hub formation. However, in Dec 2020 two (02) new members are elected to the Team one local and one INGO HELP Foundation and Tear Fund, respectively and the HRT was designated as National Steering Committee. NSC is the highest decision-making body and represents all Start Network organizations (members) in Pakistan. It is also highlighted that National Disaster Management Authority-NDMA, Pakistan, Pakistan Humanitarian Forum –PHF and CWS are also (appointed as observer) members of NSC.

Rationale of Position:

To scale up the READY Pakistan in-country hub a secretariat is being established to manage the day to day functions of the in-country hub / READY Pakistan in WHH Country Office as Hub Host Organization-HHO. The secretariat is expected to assist all members of NSC in initial establishing and subsequent routine functioning of READY Pakistan. The secretariat will initially be a small an efficient unit working under the stewardship of Chair NSC and supported by Hub Coordinator. The secretariat will initially consist of a Hub Coordinator and need based experts/consultants, who would be positioned in WHH, Pakistan Country Office Islamabad and shall report to the Chair of the National Steering Committee - NSC.

Duties (general)

The secretariat of READY Pakistan under the leadership of Chair NSC would be responsible for carrying out various programming, coordination, administration, and logistic functions. The Hub Coordinator will perform a lead role in the secretariat and is expected to provide support to all NSC members and READY Pakistan members in successfully undertaking/ accomplishing the following:

·         Performing as main point of contact for READY Pakistan (in-country hub) for all internal (NSC members) and external entities i.e. partners, members, stakeholders, and donors and undertake all coordination activities with them as directed by NSC.

·         Assist NSC in the READY Pakistan (in-country hub) establishment and directly taking part in the process of getting in county hub registered as a legal entity in Pakistan

·         Manage and regulate on-line in-country hub identity and chat groups. 

·         Maintaining physical and virtual (on-line) record of all entities i.e. organizations/ individuals and firms related to READY Pakistan.

·         Coordinate and organize the on-line/physical hosting of monthly / quarterly meetings of READY Pakistan, NSC and CDs and proper minuting/ record of decisions taken during those meetings

·         In-time information circulation pertaining to READY Pakistan and decisions taken by NSC and CDs to all members and initiating required follow-up actions.

·         Close coordination with any in-country Program Host Organization(s)-PHO for all the programs / projects funded by or through START Network or READY Pakistan.

·         Update the NSC regarding the progress of funds and activities for all the programs / projects with the Program/Project Host Organization(s) –PHO.

Notes: This list of duties and responsibilities is by no means exhaustive, and the post holder may be required to undertake other relevant and appropriate duties as required or directed by the Chair of NSC. This job description is subject to regular review and appropriate modification.

Finance, Logistics, HR or Misc Matters for In-Country Hub /READY Pakistan Hub.

·         The policies and procedures of Hub Host Organization related to Finance, Logistics and HR for In-Country Hub / READY Pakistan Hub; will be followed accordingly.

·         The Hub Coordinator will respect all the policies and procedures of the Hub Host Organization and will furnish the required compliances of Hub Host Organization-HHO accordingly.

·         The Hub Host Organization will be responsible to provide all the Financial, Logistical and HR support and resources to the In-Country Hub/ READY Pakistan Hub or the Hub Coordinator as and where required accordingly.

Reporting lines

The Hub Coordinator will directly report to the Chair National Steering Coommittee (NSC).

Qualification and Skills required:

·         Excellent professional track record with at least / minimum 7-10 years of experience in the NGO sector working in program/project coordination/ management/ particularly networks and partnership development, preferably in humanitarian assistance, Disaster Response, or related fields. Individual with experience of leading/ developing/coordinating humanitarian or development networks and consortia at national or international levels in past would be highly preferred

·         Post-Graduation / Master’s degree in Social Sciences, humanitarian assistance, business administration, public relations or any other relevant field.

·         High interpersonal skills with a strong networking and analytical approach

·         Strong intercultural and social competences with regard to communication & interface

·         Strong ability to coordinate and work with diverse range of public and private organizations

·         Ability to facilitate/guide/moderate change at an operational and strategic level

·         High resilience, improvisation talent and flexibility

·         Excellent proficiency in English and the national working language

·         Individual with prior experience of working with Start Network are encouraged to apply.

Job-specific competencies

·         In depth understanding of working with local NGOs in Pakistan.

·         Proficient knowledge and experience of conflict resolution.

·         In depth understanding of humanitarian and development landscape in Pakistan especially with regards to existing networks and consortia i.e. NHN, PHF, UN System and others

·         Ability to coordinate partnerships/networks and relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders including but not limited to government departments, national NGOs, local authorities and UN agencies etc.

·         Sound understanding of humanitarian policy and best practice (e.g.  SPHERE Standards, the Red Cross and Red Crescent Code of Conduct, Core Humanitarian Standard-CHS)

·         Willingness to travel inside the country and visit partner initiatives on the ground, sometimes in complex environment.

·         Proficiency in German language would be an addition asset (not mandatory)

The position holder would work in team-oriented manner and respect  standards as described in the “Hub Host Organization’s Code of Conduct”. Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications send together with a CV will be considered. Please provide references, but do not attach any written recommendations.