Consultant in Healthy Ageing Services and research At HelpAge International

HelpAge is working towards promoting the voice, wellbeing, and quality of life of older persons and their families in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) through the healthy ageing body of work. The Health and Care systems, policies, and legal frameworks in LMICs remain focused on the needs of youths, women of reproductive age, new board and children, communicable and non-communicable diseases. The policy actions towards making the health and care systems sensitive to the health and care needs of older persons particularly the complex health issues of older persons, long term care and support services are minimal. Population ageing is increasing rapidly in LMICs and likely to cause more complex issues as systems, policies and legal frameworks are not fit for older persons. Covid-19 has caused further disruption of health and care services to older persons and the restrictions have affected their health and wellbeing including increased cases of violence and abuse.

There is a need to make the health and care systems, physical and policy environments sensitive to the needs of older populations to promote their independence, autonomy, physical and mental wellbeing so that older persons’ potential and talents are maximumly utilized in society. Where older persons need long term care and support services, this should also be well developed and available.

HelpAge Healthy Ageing portfolio focuses on the following aspects:

· Profiling the voice and participation of older persons in various healthy ageing and wider public discourses by empowering older persons on their health and care rights, accountability and building community structures to amplify their voice and wellbeing (Older person associations, clubs, and spokespersons etc.)

· Developing and strengthening long-term care and support (LTCS) systems and policies including rehabilitation, paid and unpaid work and case management.

· Promoting age inclusive and health and care equity systems, policies, and legal frameworks to achieve health and care rights for older persons including UHC and NCDs.

· Advocacy, campaigns, and policy influencing actions to promote the awareness and domestication of UN Decade for Health Ageing at all levels (local to international) and mainstreaming ageing in public practices, systems, programmes, policies, and legal frameworks.

· Technical support services to HelpAge network organizations, UN systems, Member states and intergovernmental institutions among others

· Network and partnership relationship building and cooperation.

· Healthy Ageing Research, communications, and knowledge products

HelpAge is working towards building a database for consultants who can support the Healthy Ageing Portfolio on short term-assignments.

Skills and experience required

Essential

· Advanced degree(s) in health and care, social work, social policy, or other education backgrounds relevant to the scope of the Healthy Ageing Portfolio stream of work.

· At least 10 years’ experience in healthy ageing systems, social work systems and case management in low- or middle-income countries.

· Demonstrable experience in designing, management and research and reporting in one or more areas of Healthy Ageing.

· Professional background demonstrating a clear understanding of public policy interventions in Health and care for older persons and intersecting realities.

· Exceptional analytical and summarising skills.

· Appropriate IT/computer skills.

· Access to online academic journals as needed.

· Strong writing skills in English with a clear, simple writing style.

Desirable

· Knowledge and experience related to ageing and older people.

· Understanding of the context of LMICs.

· Experience of healthy ageing in High-Income Countries (HICs).

Our Values

At HelpAge International we work hard to achieve our goals together as a team with a clear shared purpose. Our values inform how we work together:

Inclusive

We respect people, value diversity and are committed to equality.

Impact

We value and recognise the contribution of our staff and network members, as we put older people at the centre of everything we do.

Partners

We work alongside network members and others to increase reach, influence and impact. We are committed to a culture of collaboration and building positive relationships.

Learning

We are passionate about learning, accountable and work together to find creative solutions.

Everyone who works at HelpAge shares our values and is committed to behaviours that demonstrate and support them.

Safeguarding

Everyone has a role in creating and sustaining a safe and respectful working environment, where no one comes to any harm or is maltreated. At HelpAge we take our responsibilities very seriously and will take action against wrongdoing. We will do everything we can to ensure that we do not engage people that pose a safeguarding risk and will undertake criminal record checks as required.

Equal Opportunities

HelpAge International is committed to creating an inclusive working environment, promoting and providing equal opportunities and respecting diversity in employment. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

How to apply

Interested applicants are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered in health ageing short term assignments. In your EOI please provide the following details:

1. Summary of skills and experience relevant to one or more of Healthy Ageing body of work as detailed above.
2. Details on geographical (country and/or regional) relevant experience and consultancy work undertaken in LMICs. Also, indicate experience in HICs.
3. Details of donors you have engaged.
4. Academic qualifications
5. Daily rate/range of fees
6. CV
7. One of two relevant publication or studies previously produced, as attachments.

Once we receive your details, we will review your documentation to verify your capacity and credentials to support the Health Ageing portfolio. If verified, we will then contact you to undertake backgrounds checks. Once we have completed and received satisfactory checks, we will notify you of your inclusion in the database. If HelpAge has an assignment that aligns with your expertise, we will contact you for further discussions and interview. HelpAge will also be reaching out to you every six months to seek your permission to retain you in the database.

Closing date for EOIs

Please contact helpage-hr@helpage.org to submit your Expression of Interest.

We are currently working on an urgent proposal and would welcome applications by Friday, 9 July 2021 at 9am (GMT+1). We will review these as soon as we receive them.

Please apply by Friday, 30 July 2021 if you wish to be considered for future proposals.