Consultancy on scoping options for climate change and population ageing agenda

Overview of the consultancy

HelpAge International is seeking a consultant to scope out climate change actions and influencing options within HelpAge. The consultant will be required to do review of literature on intersections b/w climate change and ageing population trends, design and implement a series of consultative workshops/dialogues with external stakeholders in-addition to interviews with HAI network members, and global team The consultant will be required to produce a report and a presentation with options to help direct HAI climate change work.

Background:

Global warming and population ageing is on a rise and require rapid and comprehensive action. Taken separately, each trend presents its challenges. When seen together, climate change represents a threat to the wellbeing of older people, their livelihoods and capacities. Yet there are opportunities too – older people are positioned well to address the negative impacts of climate change and possess resources and knowledge that can be central to HelpAge work on climate change.

According to data from World Population Prospects – by 2050, one in six people in the world will be over age 65 (16%), up from one in 11 in 2019 (9%). By 2050 virtually every country and region in the world will be experiencing growth in the number and proportion of older persons in their population. In Europe for example, the ratio of working-age persons to those over the age of 65 are projected to halve from 4 to 2, between now and 2050. Currently, the continent of Africa has the fewest older adults – by 2050 there will be 235.1 million older people.

Ample evidence depicts that global warming poses severe threats to today’s as well as tomorrow’s elders. The 1995 Chicago and 2003 Paris heatwaves killed literally thousands of elders in those cities. Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy were economically and psychologically devastating to areas of the country with a high proportion of older residents. More than 70% of the individuals who died as a result of Katrina, for example, were in the category of older people.

Scope and purpose:

This consultancy will support in the development of a climate change strategy for helpage International. Through a collaborative process the consultancy will reach out to key interlocutors within climate justice organizations, movements and experts in the Global South and North, plus private & financial sector to explore climate change priorities, intersections between climate change & population ageing and then help to translate these into options as entry points for HAI. Different stages of consultancy anticipated are.

1. Desk and Literature Review:

This will need to be:

• Informed by linking climate change with demographic transition, rights of older people and opportunities to engage them in climate change narrative.
• Informed by HAI 2030 strategy, interviews with HAI network members and global staff.
• Informed by framing climate change and ageing demographics through a common lens eg consumption patterns and climate change, role of population ageing in affecting climate change pathways, generational perspectives on climate change.

Expected Outputs: Synthesized information on intersection between climate change & ageing population, Questions for seeking inputs from external stakeholders plus workshop design. Work plan for external engagements and with whom.

1. Consultations/workshop to seek input from others:

This will need to be:

• Framed by HelpAge’s intend to lift its convening and thought leadership function, alongside the continued support to partners and network members.
• Collaborative and participatory to involve the voice and agency of old older people.
• Framed on the basis of foresight of two trends of both CC and population ageing.
• Connected to potential international solidarity and collaboration (possible transcending the traditional North-South divide).
• Framed with a potential to generate innovative sources of funding. (Older people, as a growing segment of the population, hold a considerable proportion of disposable income in all countries, in addition to their provident funds and pensions systems. The potential reorientation of financial investments towards climate-friendly initiatives is a powerful tool)
• Outlined by looking at older people’s political power. Older people vote in high numbers, their attitudes towards climate change matter.
• Seeking what factors could promote legacy thinking ie older people want to do better for their grandchildren.

Expected Outputs: Minutes of discussion with stakeholders, workshop proceedings. Framework/key themes for capturing consultations.

1. Generate a report with a set of options/entry points for HAI on climate action and influencing.

This will need to be:

• Driven by key themes emerging from consultations.
• Be anchored in the global context and HAI 2030 strategy.

Expected Outputs: A full report with a brief on intersections between climate change and ageing population, options for HAI to engage on climate change.

HelpAge International is a registered charity in the UK, leading an international network focused on ageing issues and supporting older people globally. HelpAge works with 158 partners in 86 countries to help older people claim their rights and challenge discrimination and poverty, so that they can lead dignified, secure, active and healthy lives. HelpAge operates through a Global Team with staff based across the world. Through this structure HelpAge delivers its Strategy 2030.

At HelpAge International we work hard to achieve our goals together as a team with da 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 recognize 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.

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.

Criteria:

The candidate must demonstrate:

• Understanding of climate change policy, influencing within the civil society space plus an understanding of involving financial and private sector where feasible.
• Established network to set up conversation with sufficient diversity.
• Understanding of global demography and role of older people in a society.
• Strong experience of facilitating, co-designing participant centered workshops.
• Strong on synthesizing literature, steering the discussion and consultations

Deliverables and Inputs:

The consultancy is expected to begin in October 2022, with outcome report due end of November. The assignment is expected to require approx. 20 days. Find details on the website (www.helpage.org )