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 Operations Lead provides senior strategic leadership, systems oversight, and people management for all business operations functions across the Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster, ensuring that finance, logistics, procurement, ICT, compliance, internal controls, and risk management systems operate as an integrated, efficient, and resilient regional platform.

The role is responsible for building and maintaining the operational backbone of the SAF Cluster, ensuring that all business services systems are coherent, fit-for-purpose, and capable of supporting a highly complex, multi-country, partner-led, and increasingly decentralised programme model. It ensures that operational architecture is not fragmented across countries or affiliates, but functions as a unified strategic enabler of Oxfam's 2026–2030 regional strategy.

Operating under the direct leadership of the Cluster Director, the role has dual accountability: first, for ensuring that operational systems across finance, logistics, procurement, ICT, grants compliance, and organisational controls are strategically aligned and continuously strengthened; and second, for directly leading and managing a multi-disciplinary regional operations team to ensure high performance, strong accountability, and service excellence.

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 Operations Leadership & System Integration (20%)

• Lead the development and implementation of an integrated regional business operations strategy.
• Align operational systems across finance, logistics, procurement, ICT, compliance, risk, and internal controls.
• Ensure systems operate as a coherent regional platform rather than fragmented country-based processes.
• Advise Cluster Leadership Team on operational efficiency, strategic risks, systems gaps, and improvement priorities.
• Drive harmonisation of policies, systems, and business processes across countries and affiliates.
• Strengthen organisational agility, resilience, and operational sustainability.
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement across all operational functions.

2. People Management & Leadership of Operations Function (20%)

• Directly line manage Operations and Finance Coordinators and Logistics leadership.
• Establish strong systems for performance management, objective setting, accountability, professional development, and leadership growth.
• Build technical and strategic capability across finance, logistics, and operational teams.
• Foster a collaborative, service-oriented, feminist, and high-performing team culture.
• Strengthen coordination across dispersed teams and operational hubs.
• Support staff wellbeing, safeguarding, and duty of care.
• Work closely with People, Culture & Organisational Development leadership to ensure effective HR alignment.
• Strengthen succession planning and long-term institutional capability.

3. Financial Management, Strategic Oversight & Resource Stewardship (15%)

• Oversee budgeting, financial planning, forecasting, reporting, and resource allocation.
• Strengthen financial governance and internal accountability.
• Ensure compliance with donor requirements, Oxfam policies, and regulatory standards.
• Support strategic financial decision-making and cost efficiency.
• Strengthen financial controls and fiduciary oversight.
• Ensure resources are strategically deployed to maximise programme effectiveness.
• Support long-term financial sustainability.

4. Compliance, Internal Controls & Enterprise Risk Management (15%)

• Establish and maintain robust internal controls, compliance systems, audit readiness, and risk management frameworks.
• Ensure compliance with legal requirements, donor regulations, Oxfam standards, and safeguarding policies.
• Lead internal and external audit coordination.
• Ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate financial risks, operational risks, reputational risks, and partner-related risks.
• Strengthen enterprise-wide accountability and governance.

5. Procurement, Logistics & Supply Chain Leadership (10%)

• Strengthen procurement systems to ensure value for money, compliance, efficiency, and ethical standards.
• Oversee logistics, supply chain, and asset management systems.
• Ensure operational readiness for both development and humanitarian contexts.
• Strengthen systems for remote and complex operating environments.
• Promote strategic procurement planning and cost optimisation.
• Support humanitarian surge logistics and operational responsiveness.

6. Grants Management, Donor Compliance & Operational Delivery Support (10%)

• Oversee grants financial compliance, budget management, and donor operational requirements.
• Strengthen coordination between Programme teams, Finance, Compliance, and Business Development.
• Ensure operational systems support effective donor delivery.
• Strengthen grant lifecycle controls and accountability.
• Support donor confidence through operational excellence.
• Reduce delivery bottlenecks affecting grant performance.

7. Operational Support to Partner-Led Delivery Model (5%)

• Strengthen systems for partner contracting, financial transfers, compliance, risk management, and operational due diligence.
• Ensure partner operational systems are accountable and proportionate.
• Support localisation through practical, enabling systems.
• Strengthen responsible risk management within partner-led models.
• Promote efficient and equitable operational support to partners.

8. ICT, Digital Systems & Organisational Infrastructure (5%)

• Maintain secure, reliable, and fit-for-purpose ICT infrastructure.
• Promote effective use of digital tools across the Cluster.
• Strengthen data systems, integration, and operational coordination.
• Support digital transformation and business process modernisation.
• Ensure ICT systems support both strategic management and operational delivery.
• Strengthen cyber and operational resilience.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Master's degree in Business Management/Administration, Financial Management or equivalent professional qualification. Alternatively, a Bachelor's degree combined with a full professional qualification in accountancy (e.g. CA/ACCA/ACA/CIMA) will be considered.
• Knowledge/experience of banking regulations and systems across all four countries in the region.
• A minimum of 6 years' of progressive experience in finance, operations, logistics, compliance, and business services leadership with at least two years in the development sector.
• Proven experience managing multi-country operational systems.
• Excellent leadership and people management abilities, with motivational, talent development and change management skills. Able to manage and develop other people's professional standards and potential.
• Good knowledge of logistics management, including the provision of services in remote locations.
• Good knowledge of general administrative management, with expertise in providing a superior, proactive, business-focused service.
• Strong project management and organisational skills, with experience using formal project management techniques.
• Ability to build strong, credible relationships with internal and external individuals and organisations.
• 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.
• Southern Africa regional experience.
• Humanitarian operational systems exposure.
• Knowledge of banking and regulatory systems across multiple SAF countries.
• 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/operations-team-lead-int11690/24856/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