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

Do you have a Master’s degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, or a related field?

Do you have 6 years senior leadership and management in programme quality, MEAL, research, or knowledge management within development and/or humanitarian contexts?

Do you have Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, geographically remote teams and operations across a number of locations?

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

The Role:

Oxfam is looking for Programme Quality and Knowledge Lead;

The Programme Quality and Knowledge (PQK) Lead provides strategic leadership for programme quality, MEAL, learning, evidence generation, and accountability systems across the SAF Cluster. The role ensures that programme implementation is underpinned by robust evidence, consistent quality standards, and effective learning systems, enabling adaptive programming and impactful influencing.

Programme Quality Leadership & Standards (18%)

Provides strategic leadership to ensure consistent programme quality across the Cluster.

• Establish and maintain harmonised programme quality standards and frameworks
• Ensure consistency in programme design, implementation, and reporting across countries
• Guide Programme Managers and Coordinators on quality assurance approaches

MEAL Systems Strengthening & Integration (18%)

Leads the development and integration of robust MEAL systems across the Cluster.

• Design and oversee cluster-wide MEAL frameworks and tools
• Ensure effective monitoring, evaluation, and results tracking across programmes
• Strengthen integration of MEAL into programme design and implementation

Evidence Generation, Research & Knowledge Management (14%)

Strengthens the generation and use of credible evidence to inform programming and influencing.

• Lead development of evidence generation and research agendas
• Ensure programme data is translated into insights, analysis, and knowledge products
• Strengthen knowledge management systems and processes across the Cluster

Learning, Adaptive Programming & Decision Support (10%)

Drives a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management.

• Establish structured learning loops across programmes and teams
• Facilitate reflection, review, and adaptive planning processes
• Ensure programme insights inform strategic decision-making

Integration with Influencing & Regional Policy Engagement (10%)

Ensures strong linkage between evidence, influencing, and policy engagement.

• Work closely with: Programme & Influencing Lead, Advocacy & Communications Manager, and SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead
• Ensure evidence informs: Advocacy strategies, Policy engagement, and Regional positioning

Support development of evidence-based policy briefs and advocacy materials

Partner MEAL Capacity Strengthening & Accountability (10%)

Strengthens partner capacity in MEAL, accountability, and evidence generation.

• Support partners to develop and implement effective MEAL systems
• Strengthen partner capacity in: Data collection and analysis, Learning and reflection, and Accountability to communities

Results Reporting & Donor Accountability (8%)

Ensures high-quality results reporting and accountability to donors and stakeholders.

• Oversee development of programme reports and results frameworks
• Ensure reporting is: Accurate, Evidence-based, and Aligned with donor requirements

Leadership & Management of PQK Function (8%)

Leads and manages the PQK team and function across the Cluster.

• Line manage MEAL and knowledge staff where applicable
• Build team capacity in: Evidence generation, Data analysis, and Learning facilitation

Systems Strengthening & Cross-Functional Coordination (4%)

Ensures PQK systems are integrated across all functions.

• Work closely with: Programme teams, Business Development, and Operations
• Strengthen alignment between: Programme delivery, Evidence systems, and Funding and reporting requirements

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 Monitoring & Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Public Policy, Statistics, or a related field
• Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, geographically remote teams and operations across a number of locations

• 6 years senior leadership and management in programme quality, MEAL, research, or knowledge management within development and/or humanitarian contexts
• Demonstrated experience in designing and leading MEAL systems across multi-country or complex programme portfolios
• Strong technical expertise in research methods, data analysis, and evidence generation (qualitative and quantitative)
• Proven experience in integrating evidence and learning into programme design, adaptive management, and influencing
• Experience working in partner-led programming models, including strengthening partner MEAL and accountability systems
• Demonstrated experience in results reporting, donor compliance, and accountability frameworks
• Experience operating in multi-country, matrixed organisational structures, with the ability to influence across teams without direct authority.
• 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 experience in being a leader in promoting women’s rights and gender equity

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.