Oxfam Seeks Programme and Influencing Lead for Southern Africa Cluster | Apply by August 6, 2026

Oxfam is inviting experienced development professionals to apply for the Programme and Influencing Lead position within its Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster. This senior leadership opportunity is open to candidates who already have the legal right to work in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, or Mozambique.

The successful candidate will lead Oxfam’s regional programme and influencing strategy, overseeing integrated work across climate justice, gender justice, humanitarian action, policy advocacy, research, and regional partnerships. Applications close on August 6, 2026.

Position Overview

• Position: Programme and Influencing Lead
• Organization: Oxfam
• Location: Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, or Mozambique (Applicants must have the right to work)
• Workplace Type: On-site
• Employment Type: Fixed-Term
• Working Hours: 40 hours per week
• Salary: As per Oxfam Pay Scale
• Application Deadline: August 6, 2026

About the Role

The Programme and Influencing Lead serves as a senior strategic leader responsible for delivering Oxfam’s 2026–2030 Southern Africa Strategy. The role ensures that programmes across multiple countries are aligned to achieve systems change while strengthening partnerships, policy influence, research, communications, and advocacy.

The successful candidate will work closely with country teams and regional stakeholders to build an integrated programme architecture that addresses poverty, inequality, climate justice, humanitarian action, and gender equality across Southern Africa.

Key Responsibilities

The Programme and Influencing Lead will:

Lead Regional Programme Strategy

• Translate Oxfam’s Southern Africa Strategy into regional programmes
• Align thematic portfolios with long-term systems change goals
• Guide programme investment priorities across the cluster
• Position Oxfam as a regional leader in advocacy and influencing

Strengthen Programme Integration

The role will ensure strong collaboration between:

• Programme delivery teams
• Programme Quality and Knowledge (PQK)
• Advocacy and Communications teams
• Regional policy engagement and SADC initiatives

Coordinate Thematic Programmes

The successful candidate will oversee integrated leadership across:

• Climate and Economic Justice
• Gender Justice
• Humanitarian Action

This includes implementing humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus programming to improve regional impact.

Support Regional Policy and Advocacy

Working alongside the SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead, the Programme and Influencing Lead will:

• Develop regional advocacy strategies
• Translate programme evidence into policy recommendations
• Engage with regional civil society platforms and SADC institutions
• Strengthen Oxfam’s influence across Southern Africa

Build Strong Partnerships

Responsibilities include:

• Promoting equitable partner-led programming
• Supporting localization initiatives
• Strengthening collaboration with local organizations
• Integrating partner learning into programme delivery

Lead High-Performing Teams

The role includes management of multidisciplinary teams across multiple countries by:

• Supervising Programme Managers
• Managing the Advocacy and Communications Manager
• Providing strategic coordination across regional teams
• Supporting staff development and organizational learning

Required Qualifications

Applicants should possess:

• A Master’s degree in International Relations, Development Studies, Human Rights, Governance, or a related discipline
• Alternatively, a Bachelor’s degree combined with relevant postgraduate or professional qualifications may be considered
• At least 8 years of progressive senior leadership experience
• Extensive experience leading multi-country development programmes
• Strong background in programme leadership, policy, advocacy, and influencing
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams
• Demonstrated leadership in feminist and gender justice approaches

Preferred Experience

Candidates with the following will have an added advantage:

• Experience working within Southern Africa
• Knowledge of SADC institutions and regional policy processes
• Experience applying feminist and decolonial approaches in development programming
• Strong relationship management skills across multicultural environments

Why Join Oxfam?

Working with Oxfam offers an opportunity to contribute to meaningful social change while advancing your professional career.

Employee benefits include:

• Competitive salary based on Oxfam’s pay scale
• Flexible working options
• Generous annual leave
• Pension scheme
• Company sick pay
• Life assurance
• Continuous learning and professional development
• Coaching and mentoring opportunities
• Access to internal and online training programmes

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is ideal for experienced professionals working in:

• International Development
• Human Rights
• Programme Management
• Humanitarian Response
• Climate Justice
• Gender Equality
• Policy and Advocacy
• NGO Leadership
• Regional Development
• Governance

Applicants must already have legal authorization to work in Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi, or Mozambique, as visa sponsorship is not indicated.

Application Process

Interested candidates should prepare:

• An updated Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A tailored cover letter demonstrating how they meet the essential requirements outlined in the job description

Applications must be submitted before August 6, 2026.

Final Thoughts

The Programme and Influencing Lead role offers an exceptional opportunity for experienced development leaders to shape Oxfam’s work across Southern Africa. With responsibility for regional strategy, programme integration, advocacy, partnerships, and systems change, this position is suited to professionals ready to lead complex, multi-country initiatives that tackle poverty and inequality.

If you have a strong background in international development leadership, policy influence, and partnership-driven programming—and already have the right to work in one of the eligible Southern African countries—this could be an outstanding next step in your career.

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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of  emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.