Network Development Associate-Africa

Role Overview

This role keeps HelpAge's worldwide membership connected, informed and able to act together. Working from a base in Africa, the postholder spends roughly half their time supporting the HelpAge Digital Portal and the wider Network Platform team — onboarding members, answering their questions, keeping records tidy and creating spaces where peers can learn from one another — and the other half backing the Africa Regional Adviser with communications, events and day-to-day coordination.

The value of the position lies in the relationships it builds: stronger information flows between members and HelpAge teams mean the network speaks with a louder, more unified voice on issues affecting older people, and that regional and global collaboration happens by design rather than by chance.

Key Responsibilities

• Act as a regular point of contact between HelpAge colleagues and member organisations, particularly across Africa, ensuring information moves smoothly between members, the Regional Adviser, Thematic Advisers and other internal teams.
• Maintain and curate the HelpAge Digital Portal, handling backend administration, keeping content current and acting as the first point of help for members who hit access, login or connectivity problems.
• Design and deliver knowledge-sharing activities — thematic sessions, webinars, virtual meetings, peer-learning exchanges and cross-network convenings — including the practical facilitation that makes them run well.
• Write and produce member-facing communications: newsletters, news updates, articles and visibility materials, alongside ongoing upkeep of regional social media channels and website content.
• Guide members through the full joining journey — applications, onboarding and induction — and keep member records and mailing lists accurate and usable within HelpAge CONNECT (Salesforce-hosted) and SharePoint.
• Provide the logistics and administration behind regional and global gatherings: agendas, invitations, briefing packs, minutes, action points, agreed records and, where required, translation and interpretation arrangements.
• Contribute to signature regional workstreams such as the Africa Ageing Conference, the Africa Coordination Mechanism and resource mobilisation efforts, and support the coordination of Network Development Team meetings.
• Track engagement, participation and member feedback over time, gather stories and case studies from members and partners across Africa, and feed all of this into reporting, learning and the region's communication and knowledge management plan.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Three to five years of experience supporting network coordination, member engagement, event organisation and administrative functions at regional or global scale — ideally within international development, civil society, humanitarian response or another multi-stakeholder environment.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate the logistics of sub-regional, regional and global meetings, workshops, webinars, learning events and strategic convenings.
• Strong written communication in English, including the ability to produce clear, concise minutes, action points, news updates and articles, and to edit colleagues' contributions.
• Confident use of digital collaboration, communication and data visualisation tools, with the practical troubleshooting skills to resolve basic platform, connectivity or login issues during live online events.
• Experience supporting or hosting virtual meetings and online knowledge-sharing processes, plus a track record of producing newsletters and digital communications and managing social media channels.
• Basic design and editing ability; familiarity with Canva, WordPress and Mailchimp is desirable.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; proficiency in an additional African Union or UN language is an advantage.
• Strong organisation and time management, with the resilience to juggle competing priorities, work under pressure and hold to deadlines.
• Sound interpersonal skills and proven comfort working across cultures, combined with discretion when handling sensitive information and the ability to operate both independently and as part of a team. Cultural sensitivity and respect for diversity are essential.
• A relevant academic background in international development, communications, social sciences or a comparable field, or equivalent practical experience.

To apply, send your CV and a cover letter to [email protected] by 5 October 2026. Shortlisting happens on a rolling basis, so early applications are encouraged and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is identified.