Ageism Research Consultant

About HelpAge

HelpAge International is a global network of organisations promoting the rights of all older people to lead dignified, healthy and secure lives. We have a strong, value-based position which puts the experience of older women and men at the centre of our work. Our mission is to promote the wellbeing and inclusion of older women and men and reduce poverty and discrimination in later life.

We work with older women and men in low and middle-income countries for better services and policies, and for changes in the behaviours and attitudes of individuals and societies towards old age.

We want every older person, everywhere, to be able to say:

• ‘‘I enjoy wellbeing’’
• ‘‘I am treated with dignity’’
• ‘‘My voice is heard’’

Background

Ageism is defined as the stereotyping of and discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age[i]. Gendered ageism is the intersectionality of age and gender bias. Although both men and women experience gendered ageism, evidence suggestions that older women are more negatively impacted by both their older age and their gender.

Despite some advances in research on ageism, very little of this has been conducted in low- and middle-income countries or gathered lived experience testimonies of gendered ageism. This project aims to fill this gap by producing case studies based on the lived experiences of older women.

We aim to gain a better understanding of the meaning that older women ascribe to gendered ageism, and start to uncover how older women experience it, by conducting a piece of qualitative research in three low and middle-income countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda).

The case studies will be used to develop a gendered ageism advocacy brief, that will be used to support advocacy. Collecting these lived experience case studies will also help to build our organisational understanding of the issue.

The aim of the project is to:

• To understand more about older women’s lived experiences of gendered ageism.
• To understand more about how gendered ageism manifests itself in different countries.
• To increase the visibility and recognition of gendered ageism.
• To promote uptake of older women’s perspectives, voices and rights among other key actors (Member States, UN agencies, donors, gender-focused/women’s rights organisations and other key stakeholders) in platforms advocating for gender equality and women’s empowerment at global, regional and national levels, including during the UN Commission on the Status of Women’s annual two-week session in March 2023 (CSW67).

Objective

To complete a thematic analysis of transcripts from interviews and identify key findings and advocacy messages to support the framing of a gendered ageism advocacy brief.

Specific tasks and deliverables

• Conduct a thematic analysis of transcripts from 18 in-depth individual interviews on experiences of gendered ageism with older women in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
• Produce a six-to-ten-page report detailing the key findings of the thematic analysis and describing the key themes emerging from the transcripts with relevant quotes pulled out.
• Develop the introduction and key messages sections of the gendered ageism advocacy brief and suggest the outline of the remaining sections based on the thematic analysis.

Approach and methodology

This project will take a qualitative approach, gaining understanding of older women’s experiences of gendered ageism. HelpAge Network members in three selected countries will carry out six in-depth individual interviews (18 interviews in total). A discussion guide has been produced by HelpAge and will be shared with the consultant. Interviewers received two online training sessions that went into detail on the questions, prompts and key terms.

The consultant will be required to undertake a thematic analysis of the emerging transcripts. Advocacy messages will need to be tailored to variety of stakeholders (Member States, UN agencies, donors, gender-focused/women’s rights organisations and other key stakeholders) to support influencing at national, regional and global levels.

Qualification and Experience

• A postgraduate qualification (Masters or above) in Social Sciences
• Proven experience of qualitative analysis
• Proven experience in ageism and age discrimination research
• Proven experience of gender sensitive or feminist and rights-based research techniques and analysis
• Familiarity with the use of thematic advocacy briefs as an advocacy tool
• Strong communication skills
• Excellent report writing skills in English

Timeframe

The consultant will be required to analyse transcripts and produce the report between 21 November – 15 December. Budget ceiling: £4,000

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, sex, Marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief.

Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policy

The consultant will be working on behalf of HelpAge and will be required to sign and adhere to the HelpAge Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policy.

The consultant will assure the participants the confidentiality and will assure the data is protected and used for agreed purpose only. As regards the documentation, the title rights, copyrights, and all other rights of whatever nature in any materials used or generated under the provisions of this consultancy will exclusively be vested with HelpAge International.

Diversity and Inclusion

HelpAge International is dedicated to creating a diverse and inclusive environment for all its employees/consultants while extending the culture of inclusion into our work.

We believe that our workforce should reflect the wide diversity of the communities we serve, and that diverse voices should be elevated and intentionally integrated into our work. We embrace difference and diversity of identity, experience, and thought, and actively strive for inclusive behaviors across our organization and work regardless of gender, race, disability, age, nationality, ethnic/national origin, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, marital status, pregnancy, social status, and political beliefs.