Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty.

Do you have a Master’s degree in business management /administration/ financial management or equivalent professional qualification or alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree combined with a full professional qualification in accountancy (e.g. CA/ACCA/ACA/CIMA) with Knowledge/ experience of banking regulations and systems across all four countries in the region?

Do you have 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?

Do you have experience Proven experience managing multi-country operational systems?

If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you.

The Role:

Oxfam is looking for  Operations Team Lead

To provide 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.

Strategic Operations Leadership & System Integration (20%)

The role provides overall strategic leadership for the design, harmonisation, and continuous strengthening of the SAF Cluster’s operational model.

• 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

People Management & Leadership of Operations Function (20%)

A central responsibility of the role is leading and developing Oxfam’s regional operations function.

• 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.

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

The role ensures robust financial systems that support strong governance and programme delivery.

• 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

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

The role safeguards organisational integrity through strong compliance and control systems.

• 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.

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

The role strengthens grant and donor compliance systems.

• 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.

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

The role ensures operational systems effectively support Oxfam’s partner-centred strategy.

• 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.

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

The role ensures digital and ICT systems effectively support regional coordination and operational performance.

• 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.

What we are looking for:

We’re looking for a candidate who cares about Oxfam's mission to end poverty and is personally aligned to our feminist principles and values of empowerment, accountability and inclusion in all you do.

An ideal candidate for the role will also be / have:

• 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 focussed 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.

We offer:

We offer a competitive salary and a range of additional benefits to staff including flexible working options, generous pension scheme, annual leave, additional leave allowances, company sick pay, life assurance and a range of other benefits. 

From the day you join Oxfam we invite you to stretch and learn in your role. Our wide range of Learning & Development opportunities includes in-house courses, e-learning modules, on-the job learning opportunities, coaching and mentoring, and much more. 

You can read more about all Oxfam has to offer here.

How to apply:

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.  

Our values and commitment to safeguarding

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 committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. 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.

The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organisation.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam GB also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme.  In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms his/her understanding of these recruitment procedures.

We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

About us

Oxfam is a global community who believe poverty isn’t inevitable. It’s an injustice that can be overcome. We are shop volunteers, women’s right 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 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. 

A thriving diverse Oxfam:

It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that:

• We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors.
• We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring.
• We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.