Head of Network Development NGO Job HelpAge International

Job description

NGO Jobs, Responsible for leading global network development, strengthening partnerships, supporting localisation and capacity sharing, managing regional advisers, coordinating network members, and delivering the organisation’s network strategy. Requires a relevant degree in international development, public policy, human rights, social sciences, or a related field. The position is based in Nairobi and requires on-site work.

Key Responsibilities

To make an impact and influence, the role holder will shape and deliver the HelpAge network strategy and HelpAge’s transition to locally led ways of working; provide strategic oversight of network member engagement, localisation, and the organisational capacity sharing strategy; lead HelpAge’s support to country transitions, including Ukraine; and build an inclusive, resilient and effective global network of local and national organisations.

Network strategy and impact

• Lead delivery of the HelpAge network strategy, ensuring it supports locally led transitions, strong partnerships and member engagement. Lead the Thriving Network Impact Vehicle (one of six priority areas through which HelpAge delivers its strategy; the other five target external policy change – social pensions, health coverage, humanitarian action, legal rights, climate adaptation – while this one targets the health and sustainability of the network itself) and its results framework, ensuring a clear connection between day-to-day activities and HelpAge’s 2030 network targets, and reporting quarterly to the senior leadership team on progress.
• Lead the preparation and quality assurance of Governance Committee submissions (membership applications, ambassador appointments) and Board papers relating to network development and engagement.

Regional leadership

• Line manage the Regional Advisers. Set annual regional priorities and delivery accountabilities aligned to the network and advocacy strategies, and hold each Regional Adviser accountable for delivery through regular performance management and review. Hold direct responsibility for engagement with Europe-based members, and work with the Head of Advocacy and Evidencing to develop HelpAge’s strategic niche on donor advocacy in Europe.
• Set the strategic frame for network convenings – purpose, frequency, participant profile and hold Regional Advisers accountable for regional and thematic convenings. Chair the strategic reference group INDABA, HelpAge’s consultative forum with network members.

Membership and capacity sharing

• Lead and oversee the network membership lifecycle – recruitment, accreditation, due diligence, segmentation and exit – using segmentation to determine how each member is engaged and what level of capacity sharing support they receive, in line with HelpAge’s governance frameworks and agreed decision-making authorities.
• Lead delivery of the Network Capacity Sharing Strategy, translating it into a coherent network-wide offer, integrated across programmes, in collaboration with Programme Support, Advocacy and Evidencing and other relevant teams. Hold the Humanitarian Capacity Strengthening Manager accountable for delivery in priority humanitarian contexts and the SCORE Programme Manager for delivery against SCORE commitments, with both required to feed learning back into the offer; facilitate alignment across different programme approaches and escalate cross-functional issues where appropriate..
• Hold the Network Platform Manager1accountable for member collaboration platforms that support the network strategy, capacity sharing and member onboarding.

Localisation and country transitions

• Line manage the Network Support Lead. Set the strategic framework for localisation and country transition support and hold them accountable for delivery across relevant country transitions.
• Ensure network and localisation commitments are reflected in country strategies, programme design and partner engagement, working in collaboration with the Advocacy and Evidencing and Programme Support teams.

Qualifications

• Degree in international development, public policy, human rights, social sciences, or a related field (or equivalent professional experience).
• A postgraduate qualification is an asset but not essential where practical experience is strong.

How to Apply

All qualified and experienced candidates are encouraged to review the full job description and submit a cover letter and CV to jobs@helpage.org by 5 October 2026.