Job description

Terms of Reference (ToR)
Position Title: Resource Mobilisation Specialist- Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH)
Location: Somalia, Somaliland or Kenya (Mogadishu or Nairobi preferred)
Duration: Part-Time (2 days per week, 6 months duration)
Reports to: Somali Humanitarian Hub Coordinator; Funding Manager (Hubs) Start Network
1. Background
As a Start Network Hub, the Somali Humanitarian Hub (SHH) is a collaborative, locally led platform
dedicated to transforming humanitarian response in Somalia. As the Somali Humanitarian Hub nears
the interdependence phase, it aims to engage donors and mobilise funding for hub-led programming
and hub sustainability in line with key actions laid out in their 2026-2028 High-Level Resource
Mobilisation Strategy. This ToR outlines the role of the Resource Mobilisation Specialist, who will
work closely with the Somali Humanitarian Hub and the Start Network Funding Manager (Hubs)
(based in the UK), and relevant stakeholders to identify, engage, and secure funding from multiple
sources including philanthropic and corporate donors. This role will also emphasize crosscollaborative efforts with SHH members and within the wider Start Network Hubs, fostering a
participatory approach to resource mobilization.
2. Objective
The Resource Mobilisation Specialist will support the Somali Humanitarian Hub in acquiring funding
from diversified sources by developing funding proposals, cultivating strong donor relationships and
strategic partnerships, landscape mapping, hub-led programme monitoring/reporting and
developing/refining resource mobilisation processes and functions for the Hub.
3. Key Responsibilities/Deliverables
• Overall Objectives
• Mobilise funds for the Somali Humanitarian Hub through designing and pitching Hub-led
programmes to donors as the Hub enters the maturity phase in 2026 in line with the
targets in the SHH high-level Resource Mobilisation Strategy.
• Submitting a minimum of 4 concept notes/proposals to donors (two to local donors and
two to global donors). There will be a strong focus on engaging philanthropic and
corporate donors in Somalia in addition to more traditional institutional donors. The
Resource Mobilisation Specialist will work closely with the Hub Coordinator, Finance and
Quality Assurance sub-committee as well as the Start Network Funding Manager (Hubs)
who will all support with connecting and engaging local and global philanthropic donors
on the Hub’s behalf.
• Hold a minimum of 5 meetings with priority donors pitching the hub’s vision while tracking
and providing updates on donor engagement.
• Move ahead on key actions identified in the Somali Humanitarian Hub’s resource
mobilization strategy and support with developing a Donor Ethical Assessment policy for
the Hub (drawing from the global Start Network Donor Ethical Assessment policy).
• Proposal Development
• Draft, co-create, and submit high-quality proposals, budgets, and concept notes that align
with donor requirements. Aiming for at least 4 submissions within the 6- month period.
• Leverage existing proactive concept notes/programme ideas and work with the Somali
Humanitarian Hub and Start Network team to finalise them.
• Summarise concept notes into slide decks and high-level summaries (1-2 pages) to
support donor engagement.
2
• Support in updating key marketing materials/communication materials including hub
brochures.
• Work with Somali Humanitarian Hub members (including the Finance and Quality
assurance sub-committee) and the Funding Manager (Hubs) to compile necessary
documents and ensure timely submission of grant applications.
• Donor Engagement & Strategic Partnerships
• Maintaining and updating existing donor mapping database of national and global donors
• Moving forward on priority actions for donor engagement identified in the Somali
Humanitarian Hub Resource Mobilisation Strategy 2026-2028 including programme
ideation/concept note development and arranging donor meetings.
• Stakeholder Analysis: Identification of key local, regional, donors, including government
agencies, international NGOs, private sector, and philanthropic foundations
• Support with arranging one donor round table meeting with 10 donors or more identified
from the Resource Mobilisation Strategy, Somalia Donor Intelligence Report and any
additional donors that are identified by SHH and Start Network.
• Research prospective new donors including local foundations and private donors,
institutional donors and global donors working with the Funding Manager (Hubs). Develop
donor profiles of new donors with brief descriptions of potential donors, including funding
priorities
• Hold a minimum of 5 meetings with donors during the six months in addition to the donor
roundtable meeting.
• Collaborate with SHH leadership and the Start Network Funding Manager (Hubs) to build
and maintain relationships with key donors, customising pitches and proposals to meet
specific donor priorities.
• Actively engage in donor meetings, providing strategic insights and aligning funding
opportunities with the Somali Humanitarian Hub’s mission and goals.
• Develop an ethical donor assessment (EDA) policy including clear criteria for screening
institutional, private sector and philanthropic donors, drawing on Start Network’s DEA
framework.
• Hub Marketing Materials & Value Proposition
• Support in refining/updating the core Hub slide deck providing an overview of SHH’s
value proposition and impact. This includes adapting/amending the slide deck for pitches
with prospective donors.
• Support with designing/updating and providing input into strategic marketing materials
like the Hub brochure.
• Impact Stories: assist in developing one or two impact case studies or stories to
demonstrate the tangible outcomes of the Hub's work working closely with SHH members
and communications staff.
• Monitoring and Reporting
• Track and monitor progress on funding applications and ongoing donor commitments
including Hub-led programmes; keeping Funding Manager (Hubs) informed on progress
and working together on programme reports and donor relationship management
(dividing between national and international donors).
• Maintain a centralized donor database, staying informed of donor trends to refine future
strategies.
3
• Capacity Building and Support
• Provide training, support, and co-create tools with Hub members to enhance skills in
fundraising, proposal development, and donor mapping and engagement.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and cross-collaborative learning across Start Network Hubs,
fostering a stronger collective approach to resource mobilization.

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Skills and qualifications

 Required Skills and Qualifications
• Proven experience in resource mobilisation and fundraising, ideally within the
humanitarian and/or development sectors.
• Strong experience working with both Institutional donors and Trusts and Foundations or
Corporate Fundraising highly desirable.
• Strong knowledge of the Somalia humanitarian and development landscape, with an
understanding of key funding agencies and opportunities/challenges.
• Strong networking and relationship management skills, with experience collaborating
across teams and co-creating solutions.
• Excellent writing and communication skills, with expertise in proposal development and
budget creation.
• Familiarity with international donor requirements, including both institutional and
philanthropic donors.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, supporting cross-functional and remote
teams.
• Familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook for document creation, data
analysis, presentations, and communication.
5. Reporting and Deliverables
The Specialist will report directly to the Somali Humanitarian Hub Coordinator with a matrix
reporting arrangement with the Start Network Funding Manager (Hubs). Key deliverables include:
• Submission of at least four high-quality proposals within the first six months in line with the
targets in the SHH Resource Mobilisation Strategy
• Organising one donor roundtable meeting and at least five donor meetings within the six
months with priority donors identified in the Resource Mobilisation Strategy in addition to
other meetings with identified potential donors and partners.
• Providing at least bi-weekly donor engagement updates; support in managing and reporting
on hub-led programmes.
• Ethical donor assessment (EDA) policy including clear criteria for screening institutional,
private sector and philanthropic donors, drawing on Start Network’s donor ethical
assessment framework.
• Summarised concept notes/programme ideas into slide decks and high-level summaries (1-
2 pages) to help with donor engagement.
• Updated/ key marketing materials/communication materials for donor engagement
including the hub brochure. 

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How to apply

Remuneration
Competitive rate based on experience, with an estimated daily rate of GBP £150 (roughly USD $200)
for 2 days a week over a 6-month period.
Interested candidates are invited to submit their cover letter and CV, including three references, to
[email protected] by 20 April 2026. Please use ‘SHH Resource Mobilisation’ as the
subject line.

Apply on [email protected]