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 Business Development and Resource Mobilisation Lead provides strategic leadership, functional oversight, and team management for resource mobilisation, partnership development, compliance, and funding diversification across the Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster.

This role is responsible for shaping and delivering a coherent cluster-wide business development strategy that integrates institutional funding, private sector engagement, trusts and foundations, social enterprises, and innovative financing mechanisms into a unified and strategically aligned funding architecture. It ensures that resource mobilisation efforts are directly responsive to programme priorities, financial sustainability goals, and Oxfam's broader regional strategy.

Working closely with the Programme and Influencing Lead, the role ensures that programme ambitions are translated into fundable opportunities while maintaining clear boundaries between programme design and resource mobilisation. The Business Development and Resource Mobilisation Lead strengthens Oxfam's competitiveness through strategic positioning, donor diversification, early opportunity engagement, and robust pipeline management.

The role also directly leads and manages the Business Development function, including Coordinators and Compliance personnel, ensuring strong performance systems, quality assurance, cross-functional integration, and sustained delivery across a complex multi-country structure.

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. Strategic Business Development Leadership & Cluster Positioning (20%)

• Develop and drive a multi-year cluster-wide business development strategy aligned to SAF Strategy (2026–2030).
• Position the SAF Cluster strategically within institutional, private sector, philanthropic, and innovative financing landscapes.
• Strengthen diversified income generation across multiple funding streams, reducing overreliance on traditional donor sources.
• Provide strategic analysis on funding trends, geopolitical shifts, donor priorities, and partnership risks to inform leadership decision-making.
• Strengthen Oxfam's visibility, competitiveness, and strategic positioning across regional and global donor ecosystems.
• Ensure business development architecture supports long-term financial sustainability and organisational resilience.

2. Pipeline Oversight, Integration & Opportunity Management (15%)

• Lead oversight of a robust regional pipeline covering: Institutional donors, Private sector, Trusts and foundations, Social enterprises, and Innovative financing.
• Ensure strong coordination and complementarity across all funding streams.
• Establish effective pipeline management systems, accountability frameworks, and forecasting tools.
• Support strategic prioritisation of opportunities based on: Programme fit, Financial value, Resource capacity, and Strategic impact.
• Strengthen early positioning and proactive pursuit of high-value opportunities.
• Reduce fragmentation and duplication across countries and thematic teams.

3. Alignment with Programme Strategy, Nexus Priorities & Funding Architecture (15%)

• Work closely with the Programme and Influencing Lead to align funding opportunities with programme priorities and nexus programming.
• Translate strategic programme frameworks into compelling, fundable opportunities.
• Ensure business development supports integrated programming across: Climate & Economic Justice, Gender Justice, and Humanitarian Action.
• Strengthen coherence between programme evidence, donor requirements, and business development systems.
• Support positioning of multi-country, cross-thematic, and regional initiatives.
• Ensure funding supports systems-change priorities rather than fragmented projectisation.

4. Donor Engagement, Partnership Development & External Representation (10%)

• Lead strategic donor cultivation and stewardship across institutional, philanthropic, and private sector actors.
• Build and maintain high-level relationships with key funding stakeholders.
• Represent the SAF Cluster in donor forums, strategic partnerships, and external financing spaces.
• Ensure all partnerships align with Oxfam's: Safeguarding standards, Ethical principles, Feminist values, and Localisation commitments.
• Strengthen co-financing, long-term partnership models, and strategic alliances.

5. Proposal Development, Quality Assurance & Compliance Oversight (10%)

• Oversee the development of high-quality concept notes, proposals, donor submissions, and partnership agreements.
• Strengthen quality assurance systems for all resource mobilisation products.
• Ensure compliance with donor regulations, Oxfam policies, safeguarding frameworks, and internal controls.
• Lead integration of programme, finance, operational, and compliance inputs into proposal design.
• Support strong grant acquisition outcomes through disciplined proposal systems.
• Oversee Compliance Coordinators to ensure post-award integrity and risk management.

6. Leadership and Management of Business Development Function (20%)

• Directly line manage Business Development Coordinators and Compliance Coordinators.
• Establish strong systems for: Performance management, Objective setting, Staff development, Coaching, and Accountability.
• Build team capability in: Pipeline development, Strategic partnerships, Donor engagement, Proposal design, and Compliance.
• Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture grounded in Oxfam values.
• Support succession planning, leadership development, and staff wellbeing.
• Work closely with People, Culture and Organisational Development leadership to strengthen people systems.

7. Internal Coordination, Systems Integration & Organisational Alignment (5%)

• Strengthen collaboration between: Programme teams, Operations, Finance, Compliance, and Country teams.
• Improve communication and coordination across regional and country structures.
• Address bottlenecks affecting funding readiness, proposal progression, or strategic positioning.
• Ensure organisational systems can effectively support growth opportunities.
• Promote coherent business development governance across the Cluster.

8. Capacity Strengthening, Country Support & Institutional Development (5%)

• Support country teams in donor engagement, proposal quality, and strategic fundraising.
• Develop practical tools, templates, and systems that improve consistency and competitiveness.
• Build internal capacity in: Donor diversification, Funding strategy, Partnership management, and Compliance.
• Strengthen institutional readiness for diversified funding environments.
• Promote learning, innovation, and adaptive business development systems.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Master's degree in Development Studies, Business Administration, International Relations, Agricultural Economics, Economics, Public Policy or equivalent qualifications.
• Minimum of 6 years' progressive senior experience in leadership and team management, business development, resource mobilisation, donor engagement, strategic partnerships and grant acquisition.
• Strong communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to build strong, credible relationships with internal and external individuals and organisations.
• Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English, with strong influencing and persuasive skills.
• A high level of self-awareness, personal energy, stamina and flexibility. Ability to work creatively, effectively and in an innovative manner, adjusting to constantly changing situations while maintaining focus on delivery and follow-through.
• Proven experience as a team worker and demonstrably cooperative with members of other teams.
• Commitment to Oxfam's safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Desirable

• Portuguese language capability.
• Experience in innovative financing and blending funding.
• Strong institutional donor exposure.
• Commitment to Oxfam's overall aims and policies and experience of promoting gender equity and diversity and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of Oxfam's work.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, at times at short notice, locally and regionally.

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/business-development--resource-mobilization-lead-int11691/24857/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