Programme and Influencing Lead
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
Job Description
Do you have Master’s degree in international relations, Development Studies, Human Rights and Governance, or equivalent qualification. A Bachelor’s degree combined with relevant post graduate or professional qualifications may also be considered?
Do you have Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, geographically remote teams and operations across a number of locations and Partnership-led programming within a regional context?
Do you have a Minimum of 8 years of progressive senior leadership experience in Programme leadership, Policy, Influencing, Multi-country systems, and Strategic transformation?
If the answer is yes, then we would like to hear from you.
Oxfam is looking for Programme and Influencing Lead,
The Programme and Influencing Lead provides senior strategic leadership, systems integration, and direct people management for Oxfam’s full Programme and Influencing architecture across the Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster.
The role is responsible for translating Oxfam’s 2026–2030 SAF Strategy into a coherent, regionally integrated programme and influencing ecosystem that aligns thematic programming, research, evidence generation, policy engagement, advocacy, communications, and SADC-level regional engagement into one unified system. It ensures that Oxfam’s work across Climate & Economic Justice, Gender Justice, and Humanitarian Action is strategically coherent, mutually reinforcing, partner-led, and designed to address the structural drivers of inequality through systems change.
Duties and Responsibilities
Programme & Influencing Leadership (16%)
Provides leadership of programme and influencing work across the SAF Cluster.
Translate the SAF Strategy (2026–2030) into a coherent regional programme and influencing architecture
Ensure all thematic portfolios are aligned to systems change and regional priorities
Guide strategic prioritisation of programme investments across the Cluster
Support the SADC CSO Liaison Office Oversight Group and Cluster Director in positioning Oxfam as a regional leader in influencing and systems change within the region
Integration of Programme, Evidence & Influencing (16%)
Leads the integration of programme delivery, PQK systems, advocacy, and regional policy engagement into a single system.
Establish and oversee structured feedback loops between:
Programme Managers (delivery)
PQK (evidence & learning)
Advocacy & Communications (narratives & campaigns)
SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead (regional policy interface)
Thematic Coherence & Nexus Programming Leadership (14%)
Ensures alignment and integration across thematic areas, with full ownership of nexus programming.
Lead coordination across:
Gender Justice Manager
Climate & Economic Justice Manager
Humanitarian Action Manager
Ensure programmes are mutually reinforcing and not siloed
Operationalise humanitarian–development–peace (HDP) nexus approaches
Regional Influencing Architecture & SADC Engagement (12%)
Support the Cluster Director and the SADC Oversight Group in providing strategic oversight of Oxfam’s regional influencing ecosystem, working in close partnership with the SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead.
Supporting defining of regional influencing priorities and strategies
Ensure alignment between programme evidence, advocacy strategies, and SADC-level policy engagement and civil society processes
Work closely with the SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead to:
Translate programme evidence into policy positions and advocacy asks
Strengthen engagement with SADC Parliamentary Forum, Regional civil society platforms, and Policy and governance structures
Partnership-Led Programming & Localisation (10%)
Drives the transition to transformative, partner-led programme delivery.
Ensure programmes are delivered through strong and equitable partnerships
Align Programme Managers and Coordinators around partner accompaniment approaches
Strengthen integration between partner delivery, evidence generation, and influencing engagement (including regional platforms)
Programme Quality, Learning & Knowledge Integration (8%)
In close collaboration with the PQK Lead ensure programme systems support adaptive programming and influencing impact.
Supporting the operationalisation and functionality of Programme Quality & Knowledge (PQK) systems and PEEP platform
Harmonisation of standards across programme design, MEAL, and knowledge management
Leadership & Management of Programme & Influencing Functions (12%)
Leads a multi-disciplinary, multi-country team across programme and influencing functions.
Line manage Programme Managers, and the Advocacy & Communications Manager
Provide strategic alignment (not line management) to the SADC Civil Society Liaison Lead
Alignment with Business Development & Resource Mobilisation (6%)
Ensures programme priorities are aligned with funding strategy and pipeline development.
Work closely with the Business Development Lead to align programme priorities with funding opportunities, and strengthen the fundability of programme designs
Support development of multi-country and cross-thematic funding proposals
Risk Management, Safeguarding & Compliance Oversight (4%)
Ensures programme delivery meets required risk, safeguarding, and compliance standards.
Oversee identification and mitigation of programme and partner risks
Ensure safeguarding and safe programming standards are embedded
Cluster Leadership & System Integration (2%)
Acts as a core member of the Cluster Leadership Team (CLT).
Contribute to overall Cluster strategy and decision-making
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.
Qualifications and Experience
An ideal candidate for the role will also be / have:
Master’s degree in international relations, Development Studies, Human Rights and Governance, or equivalent qualification. A Bachelor’s degree combined with relevant post graduate or professional qualifications may also be considered.
Proven track record of leading and motivating multi-disciplinary, geographically remote teams and operations across a number of locations and Partnership-led programming within a regional context.
Minimum of 8 years of progressive senior leadership experience in Programme leadership, Policy, Influencing, Multi-country systems, and Strategic transformation
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 feminist and gender justice leadership.
Desirable
A high degree of self-awareness and an understanding of how to drive and support excellent team performance and individual development in line with Oxfam’s values and policies.
Experience in Southern Africa region
Knowledge of SADC and regional policy processes
Experience in feminist and decolonial approaches
How to Apply
