Head of Advocacy and Evidencing

Role Overview

As Head of Advocacy & Evidencing, you will set the direction and oversee delivery of HelpAge’s global policy, advocacy and research work. You will connect credible, ethical evidence with the priorities and lived experiences of older people, helping the organisation and its network influence decisions on rights, inclusion, healthy ageing, humanitarian action and social protection.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver a global advocacy and evidence strategy with network members, aligned with HelpAge’s impact priorities, and track its results as policy and funding conditions change.
• Identify opportunities to influence policy at national, regional and international levels; advise colleagues and network partners on effective engagement and positioning.
• Build advocacy approaches in which older people, civil society and network members shape priorities and participate meaningfully in influencing work.
• Represent HelpAge in senior policy discussions, coalitions and alliances, and provide the Executive Leadership Group and Board with clear advice, positions and briefings.
• Oversee a coordinated programme of research, policy analysis and evidence generation, ensuring that work is rigorous, ethical, inclusive and useful for advocacy and programme decisions.
• Develop partnerships with universities, think tanks and policy organisations to produce and validate evidence, then translate findings into accessible outputs for policy audiences.
• Strengthen the advocacy skills of network members and older people through mentoring, training, peer learning and tailored support for regional and national strategies.
• Work with fundraising colleagues to shape fundable advocacy and research proposals, cultivate donor relationships and contribute to income targets; manage budgets and ensure donor, safeguarding, ethical and data-protection requirements are met.
• Lead and coach a multidisciplinary team of advocacy advisers, and coordinate with programme, network development, MEAL, fundraising and communications teams to connect influencing with programme delivery and impact measurement.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Substantial experience leading advocacy, policy influencing and research in international development, humanitarian action or human rights.
• A record of setting strategy and delivering results through diverse, multidisciplinary teams, including teams working remotely.
• Practical knowledge of rights-based, inclusive and intersectional approaches, particularly in relation to age, gender, disability and displacement.
• Experience developing partner-led advocacy shaped by community priorities and lived experience, and influencing decision-makers through coalitions and senior relationships with governments, multilateral bodies and donors.
• Strong research and analytical capability, including oversight of ethical, participatory research and the ability to turn findings into persuasive policy and advocacy materials.
• Experience building effective partnerships with academic, research and policy organisations, and strengthening civil society or grassroots networks—particularly in low- and middle-income countries—through coaching, training or other tailored support.
• Experience contributing to income generation for advocacy or research, developing proposals with fundraising teams, and overseeing budgets and donor-funded work.
• Ability to assess advocacy outcomes, policy developments and funding environments and adjust plans in response.
• Professional experience in Global South contexts or lived experience of the Global South.
• A degree in international development, public policy, human rights, social sciences or a related subject, or equivalent professional experience. Postgraduate study is an advantage, not a requirement.
• Excellent spoken and written English, willingness to travel internationally, and the ability to work inclusively across cultures and regions. Spanish, French, Arabic or another language used in the Global South is an advantage.
• Commitment to locally led development and Partner-Led Programming. Knowledge of ageing, inclusion and rights in Global South settings is beneficial.

What We Offer / Why Join

You will lead work that brings the knowledge and priorities of older people into research, policy and advocacy, while supporting HelpAge’s global network to influence change. The role combines organisational leadership with direct collaboration across regions, partners and policy forums.