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 Advocacy and Communications Manager provides strategic leadership and management for Oxfam’s advocacy, campaigns, communications, and public positioning across the Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster. The role ensures that programme evidence, policy priorities, and partner voices are effectively translated into coherent narratives, strategic influencing initiatives, and impactful public engagement.

Working under the strategic direction of the Programme and Influencing Lead, the role is responsible for shaping Oxfam’s regional external identity, strengthening its visibility and credibility, and ensuring advocacy and communications functions are fully aligned with the SAF Strategy (2026–2030). The position plays a critical role in advancing Oxfam’s systems-change ambitions by integrating thematic priorities, partner-led approaches, and evidence-based messaging into coordinated advocacy and communications strategies.

The role also directly manages the regional advocacy and communications function, ensuring that distributed teams operate effectively, innovate continuously, and deliver high-quality outcomes that strengthen Oxfam’s influence at national, regional, and global levels.

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES:

Essential

• Master’s degree in public policy, Strategic Communication, Media Studies, International Human Rights, International Affairs or related field.
• Minimum 6–8 years of relevant experience in advocacy, communications, campaigns, or influencing roles.
• Strong ability to develop and deliver strategic communications and influencing initiatives, including at least 3 years in a team leadership or management role.
• Strong technical expertise and ability to integrate programme design with influencing and policy work.
• Proven experience in managing teams and working across multi-country or multi-stakeholder environments.
• Strong communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to build strong, credible relationships with internal and external individuals and organisations.
• Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English, with strong influencing and persuasive skills.
• 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 contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Desirable

Commitment to Oxfam’s overall aims and policies and experience of promoting gender equity and diversity and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of Oxfam’s work.

Ability and willingness to travel regularly, at times at short notice, locally and regionally.

Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English and ideally Portuguese.

• Master’s degree in public policy, Strategic Communication, Media Studies, International Human Rights, International Affairs or related field.
• Strong ability to develop and deliver strategic communications and influencing initiatives.
• Strong technical expertise and ability to integrate programme design with influencing and policy work.
• Strong communication, analytical, and decision-making skills.
• Ability to build strong, credible relationships with internal and external individuals and organisations.
• Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English, with strong influencing and persuasive skills.
• 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 contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s overall aims and policies and experience of promoting gender equity and diversity and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of Oxfam’s work.
• Ability and willingness to travel regularly, at times at short notice, locally and regionally.
• Excellent personal communication skills, in written and verbal English and ideally Portuguese.