HelpAge International
Background
The evolving global food, fuel and finance crisis will have a potentially devastating effect on older people in some of the world’s most vulnerable countries. This crisis is heightened as a result of the Russian war in Ukraine, but builds on the ongoing effects of the global pandemic, pre-existing levels of poverty and the increasingly destructive consequences of climate change, including droughts, floods and resource related conflict.
HelpAge International is collecting data on the implications of this crisis for older people in 10 countries. We are also drawing on our experience of crises since 1983 in countries including South Sudan, Sri Lanka and Yemen which allows an insight into what may happen if an appropriate response that includes the voices of older people and responds to them, is not mounted immediately.
It is therefore critical to sound the alarm now so that key global actors in food, energy and finance systems, address the issues raised by older people, and include older people in their response plans. With that in mind, HelpAge International seeks support to prepare a global level advocacy plan that will assist us to map out relevant and priority stakeholders and processes, develop a timeline of critical events and consolidate key messages and recommendations. This advocacy plan will complement and reinforce national advocacy work being planned by HelpAge network members in the 10 data collection countries. The project is expected to require 4 days of support from a consultant.
Scope of work:
- Call with internal project team to understand background and requirements.
- Map out relevant stakeholders and processes to the global food, fuel and finance crisis highlighting targets and potential partners for coalition. This is expected to include important actors in the food and nutrition space, as well as other relevant stakeholders in humanitarian, development and peacebuilding settings. Where possible, contact details should be included and introductions made to priority stakeholders.
- Identify advocacy entry points and relevant events that HelpAge International could engage with to drive forward our advocacy on this issue.
- Propose 2-3 objectives for HelpAge’s advocacy and an action plan for the next 6-12 months with consideration of the stakeholder mapping and in consultation with HelpAge regarding capacity/resources.
- Review messaging and make proposals for how to target/refine messages and national research in line with prioritised stakeholders and objectives.
Deliverables:
- Background paper mapping out the key stakeholders, processes and possible entry points for HelpAge’s advocacy on this issue including contact details and prioritisation for key stakeholders where possible and a timeline of relevant events.
- Paper proposing 2-3 advocacy objectives and an action plan for 6-12 months and suggestions key messages and any suggestions to ensure national research outputs are relevant to global stakeholders.
- Call to present and discuss findings and recommendations with relevant HelpAge staff.
Skills and experience required
- Primary degree(s) or equivalent professional experience in relevant field(s);
- In-depth familiarity with global food, fuel and finance crisis;
- Existing experience and network of contacts in relevant sectors/spaces and networks e.g. food systems/energy systems;
- Demonstrable experience developing advocacy strategies;
- Strong writing skills in English with a clear, simple writing style.
Start date: ASAP
Duration: 4 days