HelpAge International is hiring a Consultant to develop its Capacity Sharing Strategy,Apply by 30 April 2026.

As humanitarian and development organizations shift toward more locally driven and participatory models, capacity strengthening is increasingly being redefined as capacity sharing—a more collaborative, network-based approach. A new consultancy from HelpAge International reflects this evolution, focusing on building a global strategy that strengthens older people’s inclusion, organizational learning, and peer-to-peer support across its network.

Reimagining Capacity Strengthening in a Global Network

HelpAge International works through a network of more than 200 member organizations across 99 countries, all focused on improving the dignity, rights, and wellbeing of older people. The proposed strategy aims to move beyond traditional top-down capacity building toward a more decentralized and shared learning model.

Key motivations for this shift include:

• Strengthening locally led organizations and older people’s associations
• Encouraging peer-to-peer learning across the global network
• Embedding lived experience of older people into decision-making
• Enhancing inclusion and equity in program design and delivery
• Supporting more sustainable and resilient organizational systems

This reflects a broader trend in the sector toward localization and shared ownership of knowledge.

Purpose of the Capacity Sharing Strategy

The consultancy will develop a comprehensive strategy to guide HelpAge’s future approach to capacity strengthening. Rather than focusing solely on training or technical support, the strategy will emphasize collaboration, mutual learning, and system-wide engagement.

Core objectives include:

• Defining clear goals, outcomes, and learning objectives for capacity sharing
• Aligning with HelpAge’s Theory of Change and organizational strategy
• Integrating gender, age, and disability inclusion principles
• Strengthening the effectiveness of global network collaboration
• Supporting long-term sustainability of member organizations

The strategy is expected to serve as a guiding framework for how HelpAge engages and strengthens its partners.

A Participatory and Evidence-Based Approach

The consultancy will rely heavily on participatory methods to ensure the strategy reflects real experiences and needs across the network. This includes engaging both HelpAge staff and member organizations.

Planned methodology includes:

• Desk review of existing organizational frameworks and evaluations
• Interviews and surveys with key stakeholders
• Analysis of previous capacity strengthening initiatives
• Collaborative drafting of strategic recommendations

This approach ensures that the final strategy is grounded in both evidence and lived experience.

Key Areas of Focus in the Strategy Development

The consultant will be responsible for shaping a structured and actionable strategy that supports HelpAge’s long-term goals. The scope of work includes both analytical and facilitative responsibilities.

Major areas of focus include:

• Designing a clear capacity sharing framework
• Strengthening network engagement and collaboration models
• Embedding inclusive practices across all learning systems
• Supporting localization commitments such as the Grand Bargain and Charter for Change
• Enhancing organizational learning and performance management systems

The emphasis is on building systems that are both practical and adaptable across diverse country contexts.

Deliverables and Timeline

The consultancy is structured over approximately 30–35 working days, with a series of clearly defined outputs over a multi-month period.

Key deliverables include:

• Inception report and work plan outlining methodology and tools
• Preliminary findings presentation summarizing early analysis
• Draft capacity sharing strategy incorporating stakeholder input
• Final strategy document revised based on feedback

This staged process allows for iterative refinement and ongoing consultation.

Consultant Profile and Required Expertise

HelpAge International is seeking a highly experienced consultant with strong expertise in organizational development and network-based programming. The role requires both technical knowledge and strong facilitation skills.

Essential qualifications include:

• At least 7 years of NGO or development sector experience
• Proven expertise in strategy development and theory of change design
• Experience in capacity strengthening and organizational learning
• Strong stakeholder engagement and participatory research skills
• Familiarity with inclusion frameworks (gender, age, disability)
• Understanding of localization commitments and sector reform initiatives

Additional advantages include experience with multilingual stakeholder environments and network governance systems.

Emphasis on Inclusion and Rights-Based Approaches

A key feature of this consultancy is its strong focus on inclusion. HelpAge’s mission centers on the rights and dignity of older people, and this strategy is expected to reinforce that commitment across all levels of programming.

Important principles include:

• Age, gender, and disability inclusion in all processes
• Respect for lived experience and community knowledge
• Alignment with human rights-based approaches
• Strengthening voice and agency of marginalized groups
• Promoting equitable participation across the network

This ensures that capacity sharing is not only technical, but also socially transformative.

Toward a More Collaborative Global Network

The consultancy reflects a broader transformation in how international NGOs operate. Instead of centralized control, there is a growing emphasis on distributed learning systems, where knowledge flows in multiple directions across networks.

Expected outcomes of this shift include:

• Stronger collaboration between member organizations
• Increased responsiveness to local contexts
• More sustainable capacity development outcomes
• Enhanced organizational learning and adaptation
• Greater alignment with localization agendas

This model positions capacity sharing as an ongoing process rather than a one-time intervention.

Conclusion

HelpAge International’s Capacity Sharing Strategy consultancy represents a significant step toward rethinking how global NGO networks support and learn from one another. By focusing on collaboration, inclusion, and participatory design, the initiative aims to strengthen both organizational systems and the communities they serve.

As the humanitarian sector continues to evolve, such approaches highlight the importance of shifting from traditional capacity building to more equitable, network-driven models of shared learning and impact.

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