Job Description

Job Title:Partnership Development and Advocacy Manager

Salary & Grade: (F)

Department:Programmes

Duration: 2 years (possibility of renewal)

Location:Pretoria , Southern Africa.

Responsible to:Head of Programmes

Responsible for:None

Key relations: Regional Director, Programme Managers(in Regional and Country office) Regional Finance Manager, Regional Accountants, Regional Resource Development Manager, Regional Communications Officer, Regional M&E officer, Mozambique Country Director,Country Age Networks – Lead Agencies, Regional HR Coordinator, Head of Programmes, Regional relevant bodies e.g. SADC-CNGOs, RIATT, REPS and relevant government departments/ministries.

Introduction

HelpAge International is a global network of not-for-profit organisations with a vision of a world where older people fulfil their potential to lead active, dignified, healthy and secure lives. With more than 90 affiliates and 300 partners across more than 60 countries the HelpAge International network brings together hundreds of organisations worldwide. HelpAge International has a secretariat with offices in London and Brussels, regional centres in Africa, East Asia/Pacific, South Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Central Asia, twenty national programmes and a number of emergencies programmes.

The Southern Africa Regional Office was established in 2012 to support the development of the network of civil society organisations working with and for older people and expanding the programme in the region. The regional office works extensively with like-minded civil society organisations, relevant national governments and the donor community (including the UN) to mainstream ageing issues into development policy in the SADC currently targeting 6 countries namely, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Each country is represented by a Country Age Network involving governmental and civil society organisations coordinated by a lead agency. More specifically, the office will focus on the development of the health and HIV/AIDS, Social Protection and livelihoods, Rights and discrimination. Partnership development and advocacy are strategic ways of working for the region which require focus and proper management.

Job purpose

The post holder will supportand manage the expansion and development of the regional Southern Africa HelpAge network, developing partnerships and partnership capacities - skills and knowledge to advocate at country and regional level. Precisely, the postholder will be responsible for strengthening the function of Southern Africa Network partnership development and advocacy seeking to advance basic rights of older persons geared towards mainstreaming ageing issues in national, regional and continental development policy and practice.

Job Content and Main Responsibilities

  1. Organisational Development and Network Strengthening (60%)

Support organizationaldevelopment of affiliates and partners to drive the ageing agenda in Southern Africa including through network wide actions and the recruitment of new affiliates.

Specifically:

  • In coordination with programme and finance staff in regional and country offices, support in identification of programme, financial and institutional gaps based on partner assessment reports and monitoring field visit/mission reports, develop and implement improvement plans (institutional capacity building plans) and technical assistance plans.
  • With technical and management support of Regional Director and with collaboration of the communication officer in the region and team in London, be the focal person for network and partnership in the rights of older persons and support the development and implementation of the rights’ strategy and activities in liaising with partners and affiliates. Ensure quality implementation and scale up of network and partnership activities on rights of older persons.
  • Support the region in developing procedures to vet potential partners and affiliates in terms of programming capacity, implementation capacity, monitoring and evaluation capacity, financial management capacity, institutional governance and management capacity and staff training as a member of the global working group. Where possible travel to the field to assess partners/affiliates capacity.
  • Review existing network collaboration document eg MoUs, contracts, assessment forms on an annual basis and recommend changes as appropriate relevant to the context.
  • Identify and engage for collaboration capacity development organisations in the region for capacity development services to the Country Age Networks members including affiliates and partners.
  • Adapting global tools and interventions to address affiliates and partners’ institutional needs, including manuals and systems, utilizing existing tools, with a focus on incorporating these tools into their operations.
  • Building and managing professional relationships with key new potential affiliates and partners, and providing reliable, high-quality follow through on all obligations to affiliates and partners.
  • Support engagement with new partners and new collaborations and partnerships. NResearch network building and partnering best-practices from other organizations. CCoordinating/facilitating affiliate/partner meetings/conferences and information sharing and learning events.
  • Providing advice and support to the Regional Director, HoP, Resource Development Advisor, PMs/CDs and other staff on integrating partner/affiliates’ needs for institutional capacity building into project work plans and budget projections while ensuring its documentation.
  • Coordinate reporting on global action 5 in quarterly board and annual reports as well as in annual planning processes including being part of Global Network Group.PM
  • Coordinate reception of Affiliation fees and promote mutual adherence to network commitments from Affiliates and HelpAge office.
  • Support coordination and growth of Country Age Networks in Malawi, Mozambique, Lesotho,South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe meantime.
  • Initiate the fundraising/ programme development for the network.
  1. Advocacy(40%)

Support all Southern Africa Regional Office (SAFRO) programmes and Country Age Networks to operate in the integration of ageing issues in national, regional and continental policies and practices.

Specifically:

  • Develop an operational partnership and advocacy plan, as part of the regional annual plan, which incorporates goals and objectives that work towards the strategic direction of the HelpAge network in Southern Africa.
  • Represent HelpAge and raise theprofile of the organization at relevant platforms inclusive of older women and men;
  • Identify and plan for advocacy capacity development for the office and Country Age Network members.
  • Oversee the planning, implementation and evaluation of the SAFRO network's advocacy programmes such as HelpAge’s global Age Demand Action campaign, strategic meetings with governments;
  • Support the function of Older Citizens Monitoring processes for advocacy purposes
  • Prepare with CANs advocacy documents for sign off and utilization
  • Contribute into the Regional network platforms based on organisational position papers;
  • Collaborate with East, West and Central Africa Advocacy Manager on Africa Wide Advocacy initiatives
  • Communicate with stakeholders and network members to keep them informed of the work of the network in view of changing contexts.

Other

  • To participate in the relevant activities of the SAFRO.
  • To contribute to strategic and annual planning and reporting mechanisms as required.
  • To be administratively self supporting.
  • To perform any other duties as may be required from time to time, particularly if SAFRO is responding to Emergencies.

Extent of Authority

  • The post holder is expected to operate within all HelpAge policies and procedures.

Persons Specifications

Essentials:

  • A degree in social science or related field
  • Minimum of five years’ experience in development sector
  • Experience in managing networks in social development sector
  • Sound experience of working with government departments
  • Experience in programme planning and management
  • Leadership skills including leading on the strategic plan development and implementation
  • Experience in operational planning and management
  • Prior experience of working in low capacity environment
  • Sound understanding of socio-economic policies in South Africa
  • Ability to communicate effectively at different levels
  • Sound experience in undertaking advocacy
  • Fluency in spoken and written English
  • Willingness and ability to travel as necessary
  • Strong IT user skills including MS Office

Desirables:

  • Postgraduate in social science
  • Ability to communicate in South African languages particularly portuguese