Chief Operating Officer (COO)

About The Role

Oxfam International (OI) is looking for an experienced Chief Operating Officer (COO) to lead and manage the strategic and day-to-day operations of the OI Secretariat and support countries and regions (in partnership with the OI leadership) in alignment with the OIS vision and overall Oxfam strategy. The COO also provides leadership to shape Confederation-wide business support functions and systems that enhance effectiveness and efficiency. Working closely with and through affiliates, confederation leaders, and staff, the COO will play a key role in translating Oxfam’s agreed transformation direction into practical operating arrangements, helping to simplify systems and strengthen shared discipline.

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking a collaborative, Value-driven, and Strategic leader with significant senior leadership experience in complex international organisations.

The successful candidate will need to operate with credibility in a confederated system, where delivery depends not only on formal authority but on alignment, trust, disciplined follow-through, and the ability to work through others. The role will have close collaboration with affiliate COOs and other confederation leaders to coordinate operational priorities, support shared business systems and services, and strengthen alignment across affiliates, regions and country platforms

• Significant Senior Leadership experience overseeing operational and business support functions within a complex global or confederated organisation.
• Proven experience leading organisational transformation, operational excellence, and change management initiatives.
• Strong experience in financial oversight, governance, risk management, and organisational sustainability.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong strategic relationships across diverse stakeholders, including boards, executive leadership, affiliates, and regional teams.
• Experience leading and developing multidisciplinary and geographically dispersed teams.
• Excellent Strategic thinking, Decision-making, and Problem-solving skills.
• Outstanding communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.
• Commitment to feminist, decolonial, and inclusive leadership approaches.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English

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.