ABOUT OXFAM

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. We are shop volunteers, women's rights activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won't stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

DEPARTMENT & TEAM PURPOSE

Department Purpose: To lead and enable the delivery of Oxfam's Global Strategy in Southern Africa by operating as a unified, regionally integrated team that drives systems change through partner-centred programming, strategic influencing, and knowledge-led practice. The department ensures an agile, digitally enabled and cost-efficient operating model that maximises impact, strengthens regional coherence, and positions Oxfam as a catalyst, convenor and trusted partner across the region.

Team Purpose: We are part of a broader movement for justice in Southern Africa and work in solidarity with partners, allies, and the communities we serve. Our role is to enable locally led change by strengthening the capacity, voice and influence of local actors to shape the systems and institutions that govern power and resources. Through partnerships, convening spaces, and evidence-based influencing, we contribute to thought leadership and collective action on gender and social justice, accountable governance, and alternative economic systems.

JOB PURPOSE

The Programme and Influencing Lead provides senior strategic leadership, systems integration, and direct people management for Oxfam's full Programme and Influencing architecture across the Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster.

The role is responsible for translating Oxfam's 2026–2030 SAF Strategy into a coherent, regionally integrated programme and influencing ecosystem that aligns thematic programming, research, evidence generation, policy engagement, advocacy, communications, and SADC-level regional engagement into one unified system. It ensures that Oxfam's work across Climate & Economic Justice, Gender Justice, and Humanitarian Action is strategically coherent, mutually reinforcing, partner-led, and designed to address the structural drivers of inequality through systems change.

Operating under the Cluster Director, the role serves as the primary integrator of programme delivery, programme quality, knowledge systems, advocacy, communications, and regional policy engagement. It ensures that evidence generated through programming is systematically translated into policy influence, regional advocacy, strategic communications, and broader systems transformation.

A core function of the role is direct leadership and management of a multi-disciplinary senior team, including Programme Managers and Advocacy leadership, while strategically aligning the SADC Civil Society Liaison function to ensure full coherence across programme implementation, influencing architecture, and regional civil society engagement.

As a member of the Cluster Leadership Team, contribute to the collective strategic leadership, governance, and management of the SAF Cluster, sharing responsibility for organisational performance, risk management, and delivery of the Cluster Strategy.

CONTEXT

Southern Africa is experiencing a convergence of complex and interlinked crises. Persistent poverty and extreme inequality, among the highest globally, continue to shape the lives of millions, compounded by climate shocks, economic instability, shrinking civic space, and entrenched gender inequalities.

At the same time, the region is undergoing rapid transformation. Climate-induced disasters such as droughts, floods, and cyclones are intensifying, humanitarian needs are rising, and urbanisation is reshaping patterns of poverty and exclusion. Youth populations are expanding rapidly, presenting both opportunities for change and risks of deepening inequality if economic inclusion is not achieved.

In response, Oxfam in Southern Africa has undergone a significant organisational transformation; shifting from country-based programming to a unified regional model designed to increase impact, efficiency, and influence across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The 2026–2030 Strategy marks a decisive shift toward locally led, partner-driven approaches, with Oxfam acting as a convenor, catalyst, and influencer rather than a direct implementer.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Programme & Influencing Leadership (16%)

• Translate the SAF Strategy (2026–2030) into a coherent regional programme and influencing architecture.
• Ensure all thematic portfolios are aligned to systems change and regional priorities.
• Guide strategic prioritisation of programme investments across the Cluster.
• Support the SADC CSO Liaison Office Oversight Group and Cluster Director in positioning Oxfam as a regional leader in influencing and systems change within the region.
• Ensure clarity of roles and alignment across Programme Managers, Advocacy, and SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead.

2. Integration of Programme, Evidence & Influencing (16%)

• Establish and oversee structured feedback loops between: Programme Managers (delivery), PQK (evidence & learning), Advocacy & Communications (narratives & campaigns), and SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead (regional policy interface).
• Ensure programme evidence is translated into: Advocacy strategies and Regional policy engagement.
• Align research, MEAL, and knowledge systems with influencing priorities.
• Drive integrated programme–influencing planning processes across all functions.

3. Thematic Coherence & Nexus Programming Leadership (14%)

• Lead coordination across: Gender Justice Manager, Climate & Economic Justice Manager, and Humanitarian Action Manager.
• Ensure programmes are mutually reinforcing and not siloed.
• Operationalise humanitarian–development–peace (HDP) nexus approaches.
• Ensure gender justice is embedded across all thematic areas.
• Guide development of multi-country and cross-thematic programme frameworks.

4. Regional Influencing Architecture & SADC Engagement (12%)

• Support the Cluster Director and the SADC Oversight Group in providing strategic oversight of Oxfam's regional influencing ecosystem, working in close partnership with the SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead.
• Support defining of regional influencing priorities and strategies.
• Ensure alignment between programme evidence, advocacy strategies, and SADC-level policy engagement and civil society processes.
• Work closely with the SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead to: Translate programme evidence into policy positions and advocacy asks, and Strengthen engagement with SADC Parliamentary Forum, Regional civil society platforms, and Policy and governance structures.
• Ensure influencing efforts are strategically targeted, coordinated, and impactful.

5. Partnership-Led Programming & Localisation (10%)

• Ensure programmes are delivered through strong and equitable partnerships.
• Align Programme Managers and Coordinators around partner accompaniment approaches.
• Strengthen integration between partner delivery, evidence generation, and influencing engagement (including regional platforms).
• Ensure accountability for programme quality, safeguarding, and compliance.

6. Programme Quality, Learning & Knowledge Integration (8%)

• In close collaboration with the PQK Lead, support the operationalisation and functionality of Programme Quality & Knowledge (PQK) systems and PEEP platform.
• Harmonisation of standards across programme design, MEAL, and knowledge management.
• Support processes that ensure learning informs programme refinement, influencing strategies, and regional policy engagement.

7. Leadership & Management of Programme & Influencing Functions (12%)

• Line manage Programme Managers, and the Advocacy & Communications Manager.
• Provide strategic alignment (not line management) to the SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead.
• Ensure clarity of roles, accountability, and collaboration across teams.
• Build a cohesive "One Programme & Influencing system".
• Promote a culture of feminist leadership, inclusion and equity, and accountability and continuous learning.

8. Alignment with Business Development & Resource Mobilisation (6%)

• Work closely with the Business Development Lead to align programme priorities with funding opportunities, and strengthen the fundability of programme designs.
• Support development of multi-country and cross-thematic funding proposals.
• Ensure programme strategies are realistic and resource-aligned.

9. Risk Management, Safeguarding & Compliance Oversight (4%)

• Oversee identification and mitigation of programme and partner risks.
• Ensure safeguarding and safe programming standards are embedded.
• Work with Operations and Security functions to ensure risk-informed programming.

10. Cluster Leadership & System Integration (2%)

• Contribute to overall Cluster strategy and decision-making.
• Ensure alignment across Programme & Influencing, Business Development, and Operations.
• Champion the Cluster's transition to a fully integrated regional model.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Master's degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Human Rights and Governance, or equivalent qualification. A Bachelor's degree combined with relevant postgraduate or professional qualifications may also be considered.
• Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, geographically remote teams and operations across a number of locations and Partnership-led programming within a regional context.
• Minimum of 8 years of progressive senior leadership experience in Programme leadership, Policy, Influencing, Multi-country systems, and Strategic transformation.
• Experience of managing complex change processes and relationships involving a wide range of both internal and external multi-cultural stakeholders across a variety of disciplines and geographical areas.
• Demonstrated feminist and gender justice leadership.

Desirable

• A high degree of self-awareness and an understanding of how to drive and support excellent team performance and individual development in line with Oxfam's values and policies.
• Experience in Southern Africa region.
• Knowledge of SADC and regional policy processes.
• Experience in feminist and decolonial approaches.

Representation and Communication

• Proven track record of success in representing an organization with partners, government agencies, private sector organizations, media and donors at senior level: nationally and globally.
• Demonstrable ability to convey complex messages in an appropriate manner to broad and diverse audiences.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills to motivate, influence and negotiate.
• Proven track record of success in advocacy and influencing (desirable).
• Demonstrable experience of working with the media and an ability to represent the organisation in the media if required (desirable).

Finance and Funding

• Ability to maximise fundraising from diverse institutions, both local and international.
• High level financial and asset management skills to steer and efficiently manage the operational budget across a number of locations.

Risk and Duty of Care

• Experience of managing security, risk and legal compliance within an INGO context.
• Proven track record of making sound judgements in uncertain and pressurised situations.
• Able to anticipate and manage risks that could threaten the organisation's reputation, operational viability and security.

Strategic Analytics

• Ability to manage the development of, and contribute to, the high-level analysis of factors driving poverty, marginalisation and vulnerability in developing country contexts.
• Ability to 'think politically' understanding motivations, pressures, power dynamics and challenges faced by colleagues, partners, decision makers and other actors; and the ability to generate effective strategies to influence them.

Key Attributes

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women's rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam's safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Organisational Values

• Accountability: Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment: Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness: We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Languages

• Fluent in written and spoken English and ideally Portuguese.

SAFER RECRUITMENT

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

HOW TO APPLY

Apply online through the link:

https://jobs.oxfam.org.uk/jobs/vacancy/programme-and-influencing-lead-int11692/24858/description/

As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and Cover Letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.

Closing Date: 6th August 2026