Background

• Build profile and influence of HelpAge International across Africa and contribute to global campaign agenda, for example promoting and developing the use of the Global AgeWatch Index and Age Demands Action campaign.
• Support RD/CDs/NCOs – to develop regional and national advocacy and communication strategies in line with country/regional targets and the International Advocacy and Communication strategy
• Develop a regional advocacy and communications team to ensure peer-learning and coordinated action on key advocacy issues.
• Ensure regional programmes include evidence collection, documentation needed to communicate findings and recommendations clearly to media, government and other stakeholders.
• Proactively develop and contribute to proposal writing to raise resources for advocacy and communications work in the region.
• Manage liaison with key external stakeholders like the African Building Blocks e.g. (SADEC), African Union in liaison with Regional Directors and Program Heads, Donors etc.

• Build capacity around advocacy and communications within the region to create positive change in the lives of older people and support NCOs in their work.
• Provide support to partners and staff in terms of ensuring the inclusion of advocacy, campaigns and older people’s rights in the designing, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of regional and country programmes.
• Provide technical support and input on older people’s rights and mainstreaming ageing in partner organisation’s programmes.
• Support the RDs, CDs on development of local network plan and hold responsibility for delivering Age Demands Action and other HelpAge campaigns in Africa in collaboration with Regional offices.

• Ensure spokespeople on key strategic areas and campaigns are trained and accessible and build national and regional media (traditional and social media) profile of HelpAge
• Manage a number of proactive advocacy/media agendas at anyone time in line with country/regional strategy.
• Liaise with media proactively around key campaigns/events (2/3 a year) and reactively in response to enquiries and coverage of ageing issues (through letters to editor etc.)

• Ensure supply of communications information and materials (country info packs, price points, Sponsor a Grandparent reporting, videos and case studies) from the region for Age UK/International’s and other affiliates’ public fundraising efforts.
• Manage regular contact to key stakeholders in the region using corporate and local resources e.g. country section of website, Ageways, regional newsletters etc.
• Ensure the region is adequately represented on key corporate materials e.g. HelpAge website, annual report, AgeWays etc.
• Provide support and advice to programme staff on strategic advocacy, rights and communications work and resources available to produce programmes resources. E.g. rights policy briefs, brand guidelines, templates, publication and marketing, Photo library.
• Serve as the brand guardian for the region and ensure all materials produced reflect HelpAge’s brand position and all staff are aware of HelpAge’s values. Ensure HelpAge’s brand is adequately protected across the region against risks.

• To contribute to team and departmental meetings.
• The jobholder may be required to undertake additional tasks, commensurate with status, after consultation and the provision of necessary support and training.
• The jobholder is expected to operate within all HelpAge policies and procedures.

• A university degree, preferably on Journalism/Communication/International Relations or equivalent
• Additional IT background is desirable

• At least seven years’ of relevant strategic experience in working in campaigning, advocacy and communication with development agencies or equivalent (Essential)
• media contacts
• representational, leadership and motivational qualities
• Knowledge of/interest in international development and/or ageing issues (Essential)
• Experience of managing marketing, advocacy or policy campaigns (Essential)
• Proven success in developing and implementing creative campaigns and building networks for change (Essential)
• Understanding of how popular mobilisation helps to realise changes in policy and practice (Essential)
• Excellent project management skills, with a track record of taking large scale projects from concept stage to execution
• Ability to identify opportunities to engage the public in advocacy strategies and convert these into clear campaign messaging and activities
• Experience of media liaison and digital engagement at regional level
• Experience of managing a photo collection (Desirable)
• Experience of producing and marketing publications for international, regional audiences (Essential)
• Some experience of monitoring and evaluating the impact of publications (Desirable)
• Fluency in English (speaking and writing) – (Essential)

• Ability to work as a team and on own initiative
• Ability to prioritise and manage a varied workload and to work under pressure to deadlines
• Proven ability to write accessibly for different audiences and to interpret information for them
• Editing, proof-reading, and production and print management skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including ability to advise staff on production of publications and photographic procedures
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability and willingness to be self-servicing, including word-processing, photocopying and filing.