Network Development Associate-Africa

About the Job

Key areas for impact/influence and responsibilities

• 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.

• 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

Policies and Code of Conduct

• 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

Safeguarding

• 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.