Network Development Associate-Africa Full Time NEW

Location: Ethiopia, Kenya (as long as HelpAge International holds the registration in this country), Tanzania and Zimbabwe

Department: Global Impact- Network Development

Reports to (Line Manager): Network Platform Manager

Responsible for(Line managing): N/A

Grade: Grade A or an equivalent based on the country of hire

Contract Type: Open-ended contract

About HelpAge

HelpAge International works with a diverse global network of around 200 organisations across 99 countries to promote the rights of older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. Through partnership and collaborations, we work to ensure the inclusion of older people across society and strive to deliver a just and fair world for everyone as they get older. Our work is driven by our desire to achieve real impact for older people, to be inclusive, to work in partnership and to learn from our shared experience. As countries prepare for and adapt to population ageing, we are seeking to make a difference at a critical juncture to how societies, economies and institutions adapt to this change.

About the Job

The Network Development Associate based in Africa will play a key role in strengthening engagement, communication, and coordination across the HelpAge Global Network. This is an exciting opportunity to support a growing and strategically important area of work that helps connect members, amplify their voices, and enable collaboration across regions.

The postholder will work closely with the Network Platform Manager, Africa Regional Adviser and Thematic Advisers to support member engagement, knowledge sharing, and the effective functioning of the HelpAge Digital Portal. The role will help build stronger relationships across the network, improve information flows, and contribute to more connected, visible and collaborative ways of working, particularly across Africa and within the wider global network.

Key areas for impact/influence and responsibilities

Network Engagement and support to the Network Platform (50%)

• Working with the Network Platform Team, strengthen communication and coordination between HelpAge and network members, particularly across Africa, alongside the Regional Advisers and Thematic Advisers.
• Support and facilitate knowledge sharing, collaboration and peer learning across the network.
• Support the curation, management and updating of the HelpAge digital portal, providing administrative backend support and firstline user support.
• Help organise thematic sessions, webinars, peer learning events, and cross‑network exchanges.
• Support in the development of newsletters and additional communications content for network members and other stakeholders.
• Support member applications, onboarding, and induction processes.
• Maintain accurate member information and mailing lists on HelpAge CONNECT (Hosted by salesforce) and SharePoint.
• Support the coordination of Network Development Team meetings and provide other administrative support to the Network Development Team as needed.
• Support in tracking engagement and participation trends across the membership.

Regional Network Engagement, Communications and Administrative Support for the Regional Adviser, Africa (50%)

• Support communication and engagement with potential and existing network members across Africa, helping maintain strong information flows between members, the Regional Adviser and cross organisational teams and the wider network.
• Provide logistical and administrative support for regional meetings, webinars, learning events and member engagements.
• Prepare and disseminate agendas, invitations, briefing materials and meeting notes, and maintain agreed records and documentation.
• Support communications, member liaison and event administration for regional initiatives, including the Africa Ageing Conference, Africa Coordination Mechanism and resource mobilisation where required.
• Collect and maintain member engagement data, feedback and participation information to support reporting, learning and continuous improvement.
• Coordinate translation and interpretation arrangements for regional communications and events where needed.
• Gather stories, case studies and learning content from network members and partners across Africa.
• Develop communications and visibility materials that strengthen member engagement and showcase network impact across the region, including ensuring up-to-date information in digital and website platforms.
• Maintain regional communications channels including social media pages and support knowledge sharing within Africa and across the wider HelpAge network.
• Contribute to the strategic planning and reporting processes for Africa region including leading on communication and knowledge management plan for Africa.

Skills and experience required

• At least 3–5 years of experience supporting regional and global network coordination processes, member engagement, event coordination, and administrative functions, ideally within international development, civil society, humanitarian settings, or multi-stakeholder environments.
• Experience in supporting logistical planning and coordination of sub-regional, regional and global meetings, workshops, webinars, learning events and strategic convenings.
• Good IT skills and familiarity with digital collaboration, communication and data visualization tools.
• Strong written communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise documents, including meeting minutes and action points.
• Experience supporting online events, webinars, virtual meetings and knowledge‑sharing processes.
• Basic design and editing skills; familiarity with Canva, WordPress and Mailchimp is desirable.
• Experience producing and supporting newsletters, digital communications and managing social media channels.
• Ability to draft and edit news updates, communication content and articles in English.
• Ability to troubleshoot basic digital platforms, connectivity or login issues during online meetings and events.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken); additional African UNION or UN language are desirable
• Ability to manage competing priorities, work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time‑management skills.
• Good interpersonal skills and experience working in cross‑cultural settings.
• High level of discretion when handling sensitive information.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
• Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.

Key Behavioural Competencies

Working Collaboratively with Others: Work collaboratively, building mutual trust and respect, withexternal organizations and partners to achieve our strategic aims and objectives; being accountable for the work we do together.

Adaptability and Flexibility: Adapt to new directions or opportunities arising within the organisation andin our workarea; being flexible in our role, constantly using the feedback to learn more and evolve further.

Supporting and Facilitating Change: Lead behavioural and cultural change through embracing a supportive, collaborative and highly inclusive environment where everybody feels supported, respected and engaged.

Extend HelpAge’s Reach and Impact: Extend HelpAge’s reachand impact by creating and identifying new business development opportunities and building relationships with new partners.

Diversity and Inclusion: Lead and promote a culture of including the voices of older people across our support, convening and thought leadership roles, in a way that is transformative, empowering and highly inclusive of those marginalised by gender, economic status, disability and other factors of discrimination.

Leading Others (for managers): Demonstrate strong leadership to own unit/department and manage peoplein a well and reputable manner. Create an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute theirbest and develop their potential.

Policies and Code of Conduct

As a HelpAge International employee, you are expected to comply with all organisational policies and standards, and to conduct yourself in a manner consistent with our values at all times.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Code of Conduct
• Safeguarding Policy and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)
• Anti-Fraud and Bribery Policy
• Anti-Bullying, Harassment and Sexual Harassment Policy
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Policy
• Raising a Concern (Whistleblowing) Policy
• Social Media Policy

All staff are required to familiarise themselves with these policies, complete any mandatory training, and adhere to them throughout their employment with HelpAge International.

Safeguarding

HelpAge International is committed to safeguarding the communities with which we work, our partners, staff and any others who we come into contact with. The post holder will also be responsible for:

• Preventing harm and abuse from our people, operations and programmes to anyone that encounters our work.
  • Reporting all safeguarding incidents you see, hear, hear about or suspect, using our internal reporting mechanism.
  • Complying with all safeguarding framework policies and practices.
  • Completing mandatory training courses relating to our safeguarding policy framework and complying with HR vetting procedures.

Tagged as: Ethiopia, HelpAge International, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe