Visionary International Programme Director, Oxfam Denmark

Oxfam Denmark is looking for a visionary International Programme Director to lead the implementation of our international programmes with partners, Oxfam affiliates, and Oxfam country offices in more than 12 countries in Africa, Latin America and the Middle East – with a turnover at approximately €50 million annually.

Oxfam Denmark is part of the Oxfam Confederation, a world-wide influencing network, working for a just and equal future with a total turnover of €1 billion. Oxfam Denmark is a multi-mandated organization with a portfolio of long-term development programmes and humanitarian interventions implemented with local partners and through the Oxfam system. 

How do we work?

We focus on specific needs and rights of people, and importantly: address and change the root and systemic causes of injustice and poverty through advocacy and influencing activities from the local to the global levels. 

Oxfam Denmark and the Oxfam Confederation are strongly engaged in a decolonization process undoing unequal systems and practices, and shifting power to partners and allies in the global south. As International Programme Director, you will lead this change process, rethinking the roles, ways of working, and opportunities of Oxfam Denmark to best add value, in close coordination with other departments in Oxfam Denmark, strategic partners, other Oxfam affiliates, and Oxfam country offices. 

Your role

You will engage with the Oxfam Confederation to ensure an effective implementation of programmes and to rethink responsibilities for designing, implementing, and reporting and learning from programmes.

You will play a leading role in further developing Oxfam Denmark's programme strategy and portfolio to strengthen impact and innovation including effective influencing, both in Denmark and as part of the Oxfam world-wide influencing network. You will be expected to contribute to the strategic direction of the organization, whilst acknowledging opportunities set by local context and by donors. 

In 2025, the organization will prepare the third Strategic Partnership with Danida. In this preparation, you will, in co-operation with senior management and the Secretary General and staff, be expected to deliver on Oxfam Denmark’s strategic direction informed by evidence from existing programming and based on international trends and opportunities.

As International Programme Director, you will lead an experienced group of team leaders and staff with different thematic backgrounds and capacities. Management is based on Feminist Principles and with respect for and acknowledgement of existing knowledge and self-governance, while setting priorities across the department to implement strategic decisions. A key objective is to strengthen synergies between the thematic components in the strategy and hence synergies and cooperation between the thematic teams, and to maintain close cooperation with other departments.

Your success criteria

• With and through the Oxfam Confederation and partners ensure an effective implementation of a strong and impactful international program portfolio with a focus on influencing programmes. 
• Maintain and potentially increase the current turnover and diversify the income.
• Innovate ways of working to a changing donor context and towards a shift of power and resources to the Global South.
• Through strategic leadership unleash the high potential in the department, Oxfam Denmark and Oxfam to strengthen cooperation and coordination towards an agreed strategic direction for maximum impact.

Organizational structure

You will lead the International Programme Department with five team leaders and more than 25 staff members. You will be part of peer networks in Denmark and in the Oxfam Confederation, and you will have a crucial role in effectively implementing programmes through the Oxfam system, including sharing services, capacities, and support to influencing activities. You will report directly to the Secretary General and be part of Oxfam Denmark’s senior management group of five people.

Your responsibilities

• Lead the International Programme Department, team leaders and staff trough an organizational transition, and proactively take part in the overall leadership of Oxfam Denmark. 
• Ensure proficiency in the implementation of Oxfam Denmark’s strategy, not only within the department but also in close cooperation with the other departments. 
• Reshape the role of programme staff, tasks, and deliverables from Oxfam Denmark to adapt to a changing donor context and a decolonization within the Oxfam Confederation.
• Secure an effective implementation of the programme portfolio and execution of the programme budgets, including engaging with the Oxfam countries and system to strengthen effectiveness. 
• Translate Oxfam Denmark’s strategy into programmatic practice, including through the development of a new Strategic Partnership with Danida, and enable the design of influencing programmes and interventions in countries, regionally and globally.
• Build trust and networks within Oxfam, with countries and regions to nurture change and build the foundation for further strategic development and an effective implementation of programmes.
• Overall responsibility for and quality assurance of compliance with systems, procedures and standards, including compliance with donor guidelines and follow-up on misconduct cases.
• Innovate and network to maintain, diversify and potentially grow turnover from institutional and philanthropic funds. 
• Overall responsibility for programme quality, as well as monitoring, evaluation and learning from programmes.
• Nurture stakeholder relations with donors, peer organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Apply Feminist Principles in management and ways of working.

Your qualifications

• You share Oxfam Denmark’s vision and strategy, and you have a strong commitment to work in a multi-mandated organization and invest in building a more just and equal future. 
• Documented leadership and management experience, leading leaders at strategic level with commitment to feminist principles and an inclusive leadership approach, having the courage to set and follow a strategic direction.
• Visionary and strategic, with extensive knowledge about relevant development issues and proven ability to rethink ways of working and adapt to a fast-changing context. 
• Experience from translating strategy into programmatic practice.
• Experience from managing and implementing international humanitarian and development programmes, including working in the Global South, with a thorough understanding of the role of civil society in change processes. 
• Experience from working in an international organization, developing shared services and fostering mutual beneficial cooperation with entities in other countries and internationally. Experience from an international NGO-family or similar organization is an advantage.
• Strong networking and relationship-building competencies, good intercultural understanding and ability to effectively manage, communicate, co-create, and work with different stakeholders and people from diverse backgrounds.
• A deep understanding and proven successful experience from engaging with institutional and philanthropic donors.
• A master's degree in a relevant field.
• Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential. Proficiency in Danish and good knowledge of French and/or Spanish is an advantage.

Further information and application process

The position is based in Denmark with an expectation to work from Oxfam Denmark’s office in Copenhagen at least four days a week. For more information about the position, please contact Lars Koch, Secretary General:  lko@oxfam.dk,  +45-60605831.

You apply for the job by clicking on the ‘Apply’ button. Submit your application, CV and two references as soon as possible and no later than November 27, 2024, at 23:59am. We plan to have the first round of interviews on 5th (or 6th) December, followed by a personality test for qualified candidates, and a second round of interviews with test feedback taking place on 10th (or 11th) December.

Oxfam Denmark is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of all ages and with diverse backgrounds. You must be eligible for a Danish/Schengen work permit. The position is full time and permanent with a three month’s trial period. The preferred starting date is January 1st, 2025. 

About Oxfam Denmark

Oxfam Denmark is an independent non-governmental organization that works in collaboration with other Oxfam affiliates to combat poverty, inequality and injustice worldwide. We focus on providing sustainable development solutions, promoting human rights, and advocating for change and equality. Learn more at www.oxfam.dk.