- 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 crossnetwork 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 knowledgesharing 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 timemanagement skills.
- Good interpersonal skills and experience working in crosscultural settings.
- High level of discretion when handling sensitive information.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively.
- Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity.