Head of Humanitarian, Oxfam in Africa

Location: Any country with an Oxfam office/presence subject to being able to establish a contract of employment directly or via hosting affiliate

Contract: Fixed term – 2 Years

Internal Job Grade: B1, International

Salary: In line with Oxfam International’s pay range Includes core benefits and global entitlements for internationally relocated staff

We believe flexible working is key to building the Secretariat of the future, so we’re open to talking through the type of working arrangements that might work for you.

The Role

Oxfam in Africa is seeking an exceptional Head of Humanitarian to provide strategic leadership and oversight of humanitarian preparedness and response across Sub-Saharan Africa.

As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will shape and drive Oxfam’s humanitarian strategy, ensuring that responses to crises are timely, high-quality, and aligned with global standards. You will lead a team of humanitarian advisors, drive regional preparedness efforts, oversee emergency responses, and strengthen collaboration across country offices, affiliates, and Oxfam’s Global Humanitarian Team, while contributing to humanitarian policy and influencing, and advancing the LHL agenda and Oxfam’s global commitments.

This is a highly influential role that combines strategic leadership, operational oversight, and external representation, ensuring Oxfam remains a leading humanitarian actor across the continent.

This role reports to the Programmes and Influencing Director for Oxfam in Africa, with matrix management by the GHT Deputy Humanitarian Director.

What we’re looking for

We are seeking a strategic and experienced humanitarian leader with strong proven experience of managing complex emergency responses across diverse contexts. You will bring deep expertise in humanitarian preparedness, response coordination, and policy development, combined with a solid understanding of gender, protection, and internationally recognized humanitarian standards.

You will be an analytical and decisive thinker, able to navigate complexity, lead high-performing teams, and influence a wide range of stakeholders, including governments, UN agencies, and partners. Strong communication skills in both English and French are essential, along with the ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, high-pressure environments and to travel frequently at short notice, including for extended periods.

Above all, you will be values-driven, committed to feminist principles, and passionate about advancing equality, resilience, and social justice across Africa.

Why join us.

Join a vibrant, Africa platform committed to decolonizing humanitarian action and championing feminist, locally-led-leadership. This is a rare opportunity to shape how Oxfam responds to Africa’s most pressing crises, and to help build more resilient, equitable and community-led systems for the future.

What we offer

At Oxfam, we believe that every aspect of our work can lead to a positive outcome. If you share this view, along with the ability to meet the challenges involved, this role offers scope for immense personal fulfilment – as well as outstanding opportunities to develop your career. Oxfam is committed to providing a fair compensation package based on a 36-hour work week.

About us

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

That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty.

We are an international confederation of 22 organizations (affiliates) plus the Oxfam International Secretariat, working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 76 countries.

Oxfam in Africa (OiA) is a continental platform overseeing country offices in Africa and working with civil society organizations, academics, governments, and private sector, to create a more equal Africa by challenging power structures that perpetuate inequality and injustice. In doing so, Oxfam in Africa provides dynamic thought leadership and a space to collaborate with its partners. Oxfam in Africa plays a leading role in supporting and empowering local communities, promoting gender equality, advocating for policy changes, and building the capacity of local civil society organisations.

All our work is led by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.

Our commitment to safeguarding

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behavior at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to 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.

Note: All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. Oxfam International Secretariat also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, if a job applicant has been employed by another member of the scheme, we will request information from that organization 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 this recruitment procedure.