OXFAM is looking for an Interim Head of Governance

Employer: Oxfam International Secretariat

Closing date: 17 November 2026 23:59

JOB DETAILS

• LOCATION: Open to remote working from any location in which the candidate has the right to work, and Oxfam is has an office and able to establish a contract of employment.
• CONTRACT TYPE: Fixed-term, 10 months (interim)
• INTERNAL JOB GRADE: B1
• HUB and TEAM: Decolonial Feminist Transformation Hub - Governance Team
• SALARY: In line with Oxfam values & according to location.
• HOURS (FTE): Full-time (1 FTE)

FLEXIBLE WORKING: We believe that flexible working is key to building the Secretariat of the future, so we're open to talking through the type of flexible arrangements which might work for you. This role would work well as a fully or partially home-based arrangement.

This role will require availability within working hours aligned or majority overlapping with core working hours East African Time (UTC+3). Additionally, the role will require flexibility to occasionally work at unsociable hours.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION: We are committed to ensuring diversity, equity, inclusion and representation within our organization. We believe in equality of opportunity regardless of race or racial group [including colour, nationality, ethnicity, national origins], religion or belief, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, and pregnancy, maternity and paternity.

HUB PURPOSE: The Oxfam International (OI) Decolonial Feminist Transformation Hub is responsible for the integrity and coherence of Oxfam's global strategic objectives, approaches and transformative choices into the future. The Hub works to ensure that gender justice and a decolonial feminist lens are central to driving Oxfam's vision, values and identity, both internally and externally. The Hub positions the confederation as an inter-dependent and locally rooted network that is grounded in a decolonial feminist approach; and contributes thematic expertise, global outlook and feminist thought leadership with a focus on creating synergies between global and organizational strategy, governance, and confederation development.

TEAM PURPOSE: The OIS Governance Team is responsible for creating a business environment that enables transparent and accountable governance leadership and practice so that OI can effectively oversee and steer the confederation's activities to achieve its mission for the communities it serves.

The Governance Team enables effective global governance as a strategic function, driving diversity and feminist perspectives, inclusive decision-making, and power sharing in the consolidation of Oxfam's global governance architecture. Working closely with the OI Executive Director, Leadership Teams and OI Board Chair, the Team supports the different components of OI's global governance architecture and their relationship with other parts of the confederation; and provides advice on confederation-wide governance practice in support of organizational resilience.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Head of Governance provides leadership and expert governance advice to ensure the effective functioning of Oxfam International's global governance arrangements and the continued delivery of the OIS Governance Team's mandate during a 10-month fixed-term cover period.

Working closely with the OI Executive Director, Leadership Teams, OI Board Chair, and other governance stakeholders, the role supports effective governance leadership, oversight, accountability, and decision-making, ensuring that OI's governance components are supported to fulfil their responsibilities.

The Head of Governance leads and manages the Governance Team, overseeing the delivery of governance processes, systems, and services, and ensuring compliance with applicable constitutional, legal, and regulatory requirements.

The role also contributes to the continuous improvement of Oxfam's governance practices, promoting transparency, accountability, feminist principles, inclusive decision-making, and equitable power sharing, while supporting agreed governance development priorities in collaboration with relevant senior leadership.

• ROLE REPORTS TO: OI Director, Decolonial Feminist Transformation
• ROLES REPORTING TO THIS POST: Governance Coordinator
• BUDGET RESPONSIBILITY: Governance Team budget

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Governance Leadership and Advisory

• Provide expert governance advice to the OI Board Chair, Executive Director, Leadership Teams, and relevant governance bodies, supporting effective oversight, accountability, and decision-making.
• Support the OI Board, its committees, and other global governance bodies in fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities, including advising on governance policies, procedures, and complex or sensitive matters.
• Maintain effective working relationships with key governance stakeholders, facilitating coordination between governance bodies, executive leadership, and other parts of the confederation.

2. Governance Operations and Effectiveness

• Oversee the effective planning and delivery of OI's global governance cycle, including Board, committee, Assembly, and Affiliate Business Meetings, ensuring timely and high-quality governance support.
• Ensure effective governance processes, including the preparation of governance papers, recording and follow-up of decisions, and coordination of governance business flows.
• Oversee Board and governance body appointments, nominations, inductions, and related processes, ensuring compliance with applicable requirements.
• Support the implementation of agreed Board work plans and governance priorities, including actions to strengthen governance effectiveness.

3. Governance Accountability and Compliance

• Ensure that OI's governance arrangements, policies, and procedures comply with applicable constitutional, legal, and regulatory requirements, working closely with Legal and other relevant functions.
• Maintain effective governance standards, systems, and documentation, ensuring transparency, accountability, and appropriate management of governance-related risks.
• Contribute to agreed governance improvements and provide advice on confederation-wide governance practice, promoting feminist principles, diversity, inclusive decision-making, and equitable power sharing.

4. Team Leadership and Management

• Lead and manage the Governance Coordinator, ensuring clear priorities, effective delegation, and timely delivery of governance services.
• Oversee the Governance Team's work plans and resources, ensuring continuity of essential governance functions and effective collaboration with relevant Secretariat teams.
• Ensure appropriate documentation, knowledge management, and handover of ongoing governance matters at the end of the cover period.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Most importantly, every individual at Oxfam International Secretariat needs to be able to:

• Live our values of INCLUSION, ACCOUNTABILITY, EMPOWERMENT, COURAGE, SOLIDARITY and EQUALITY (read more about these here)
• Ensure you commit to our ORGANIZATIONAL ATTRIBUTES (including adhering to the Code of Conduct)

1. Be committed to our feminist principles, and to applying them in your day-to-day behaviour and your work. Be ready to keep learning, with accountability to those who experience oppression as a result of their identities, such as their gender, race/ethnicity, disability, class, or LGBTQIA identity.
2. Be committed to undertaking Oxfam's safeguarding training and adhering to relevant policies, to ensure all people who come into Oxfam are as safe as possible.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES

Leadership and Management

• Demonstrated ability to engage and influence diverse stakeholders, including senior leaders and governance bodies, with political awareness, tact, and diplomacy in a complex, multicultural environment.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to guide, support, and motivate colleagues, including in a virtual working environment.
• Ability to work independently, exercise sound judgment, and quickly establish priorities in a complex and evolving organizational environment.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to deadlines.

Technical Expertise

• Substantial experience providing governance advice and support to Boards and senior leadership in complex organizations, preferably within an international or federated environment.
• Strong knowledge of corporate governance principles, constitutional and regulatory requirements, and governance good practices.
• Practical experience overseeing Board and committee governance processes, including meetings, governance documentation, decision-making, and follow-up.
• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, or maintaining governance policies, procedures, and systems that support organizational effectiveness and accountability.
• Ability to combine strategic governance advice with practical, hands-on delivery of governance responsibilities.
• Experience in company secretarial functions and/or a relevant professional governance qualification or professional development in corporate governance is desirable.

Communication Skills

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and influence stakeholders at different levels.
• Strong drafting and presentation skills, including experience preparing governance papers and communicating complex matters clearly to Boards and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, integrity, and sound judgment.
• Fluency in spoken and written English (essential); knowledge of French and/or Spanish (desirable).

About Oxfam

At Oxfam we respond to emergencies and advocate for people in crisis, partnering with local organizations to deliver essentials and help rebuild communities. We work with activists and partners to fight poverty and injustice. We campaign for economic, gender, climate justice and accountable governance, striving for sustainable growth and transformation.

We fight for a future that is equal, just and fair – one in which people have more equal opportunities and rights, and one in which we can all flourish, not just survive.

Click here to view Our Strategy and What We Believe.

Benefits

• Flexible working
• Pension contributions
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Employee wellbeing
• State of the art IT equipment
• Volunteer days

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.

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