Humanitarian Action Programme Manager

Humanitarian Action Programme Manager (INT11740)

One person in three in the world lives in poverty. Oxfam is determined to change that world by mobilizing the power of people against poverty. Around the world, Oxfam works to find practical, innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty and thrive. We save lives and help rebuild livelihoods when crisis strikes. And we campaign so that the voices of the poor influence the local and global decisions that affect them. In all we do, Oxfam works with partner organizations and alongside vulnerable women and men to end the injustices that cause poverty. As a confederation, our values are Accountability, Empowerment, and Inclusiveness. Empowerment: Everyone, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can be a catalyst for change. 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 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.

Background of Oxfam: Oxfam started working in Southern Africa in the 1980s. Since then, we have implemented both development and humanitarian programmes to support practical and innovative ways for people to lift themselves out of poverty. We work with local stakeholders to find lasting solutions to the root causes which keep people in poverty. Oxfam is currently collaborating with the Government, international and local CSOs, UN Agencies and other stakeholders. Oxfam envisions Southern African countries to be free of extreme inequality and injustice; a society where citizens and particularly women across all age groups claim and exercise their rights and responsibilities and can influence decisions that affect their lives. Our regional program aims to promote women’s rights, good governance and accountability, resilient livelihoods, as well as enhance preparedness, reduce vulnerability to disaster and ensure an effective response to humanitarian crises.

Job Summary: The Humanitarian Action Programme Manager provides strategic, technical, operational, and people leadership for Oxfam’s humanitarian portfolio across the Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster, ensuring that emergency preparedness, anticipatory action, response, recovery, and resilience programming are effectively designed, coordinated, and delivered. The role is responsible for ensuring that humanitarian interventions are timely, principled, partner-led, and fully aligned with humanitarian standards, Oxfam’s safeguarding and localisation commitments, and the broader SAF Strategy (2026–2030). It ensures that humanitarian programming not only addresses immediate crisis needs but also contributes to broader nexus programming by linking emergency response with long-term resilience, development, climate adaptation, and systems-change objectives. Working under the strategic leadership of the Programme and Influencing Lead, the role serves as the principal thematic leader for humanitarian action across the Cluster, ensuring coherence between operational delivery, technical quality, partner systems, evidence generation, policy engagement, and strategic positioning. It also strengthens Oxfam’s ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to increasingly complex humanitarian crises across the region. The role directly leads and manages a distributed multi-country humanitarian team, including technical coordinators and emergency specialists, ensuring strong leadership, technical excellence, operational readiness, staff wellbeing, and coordinated delivery across all humanitarian portfolios. Through strategic leadership, operational excellence, strong humanitarian systems, and regional coordination, the Humanitarian Action Programme Manager significantly strengthens Oxfam’s capacity to act as a credible, partner-led, regionally integrated humanitarian actor while advancing localisation, feminist leadership, and long-term resilience across Southern Africa.

Experience, Knowledge & Competencies

Essential: Master’s degree in Humanitarian Studies, Public Health, Development Studies, Environmental Studies or equivalent qualification. A bachelor’s degree combined with relevant postgraduate or professional qualifications and significant experience of at least 10 years may be considered. 6 years of relevant experience in humanitarian programming, including emergency response, preparedness, and coordination. Strong technical knowledge of humanitarian standards and principles, including at least 3 years in a team leadership or management role. Proven experience in multi-country humanitarian systems, team management, strategic programme design, partner-led programming, and policy integration. Strong communication, analytical, and decision-making skills. Ability to build strong, credible relationships with internal and external individuals and organisations. A high level of self-awareness, personal energy, stamina and flexibility. Proven experience as a team worker and demonstrably cooperative with members of other teams. Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into

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