Head of Geneva Office

The Role

Oxfam International Secretariat is looking for an outstanding candidate to effectively influence the policy of governments, UN bodies, and other humanitarian agencies in Geneva, in line with the objectives of Oxfam's humanitarian advocacy and campaigns and broader organization, helping make Oxfam a recognized authority on humanitarian issues.

Their work complements the work done in capitals and Oxfam’s influencing offices in New York, Brussels and Addis Ababa. The post also contributes to Oxfam’s advocacy and campaigns globally.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic influencing: Provide strategic direction to have a measurable influence on the policies and practice of the UN institutions and member states based in Geneva.
• Representation and advocacy: Maintain a high profile, build relationships and engage with UN and member state targets in Geneva, as well as coalitions and civil society groups, to ensure access and influence for Oxfam and partners’ messages and objectives. Develop, lead and implement advocacy strategies towards UN institutions and member states, relationship building at a senior level.
• Target manager: Act as target manager for the UN institutions based in Geneva on all public and private engagement of Oxfam towards these institutions, with sign off responsibilities for advocacy and media products related to this target. Manage relationships in Geneva for OI Humanitarian Director, relevant Executive Directors, and other Oxfam staff.
• Policy development: Contribute to briefing papers, media briefs, strategies, articles for publications, speeches, advocacy letters, blogs and other written materials related to the UN institutions in Geneva, in collaboration with advocacy and policy colleagues across countries, regions, GHT, Oxfam affiliates and Oxfam International.
• Coordination, management and fundraising: Facilitate high level of collaboration between Oxfam affiliates, countries, regions and ACE department on Geneva targeted advocacy to contribute to the overall campaigns priorities. Manage the team in Geneva, and explore and deliver effective fundraising to expand the team. Provide support to Oxfam EDs and OI humanitarian director in their engagement with Geneva based institutions and events.
• Alliances and partnerships: Actively participate in NGO networks and advocacy alliances and serve as a point-person in coalitions as relevant. Support engagement and advocacy of partner and civil society activists in Geneva. Develop sustainable partnerships with local and national NGO initiatives and create opportunities for influencing in global policy processes.
• Spokesperson: Act as a spokesperson for Oxfam in Geneva, speaking publicly at events and in media.

Who we’re looking for

Essential criteria:

• Self-Awareness
• Influencing
• Strategic Thinking and Judgment
• Enabling
• Relationship building

In addition:

• Exceptional influencing skills and demonstrable experience effectively, persuasively and diplomatically representing issues and institutions before high level decision-makers.
• Ability to negotiate effectively and excel in informal leadership skills in a multi-stakeholder, network environment and alliances.
• Demonstrable understanding of an integrated approach to political advocacy that includes research, policy, lobbying, media work, alliance-building, and public campaigning.
• Experience managing a team, including recruitment, performance management, and budget oversight.
• Experience working with partners and civil society actors and supporting their advocacy efforts and initiatives.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with outstanding ability to liaise and build relationships with a wide range of diverse people, both internally and externally and at many levels, with credibility, tact and diplomacy.
• Excellent public speaking and media skills
• Demonstrable commitment to social and economic justice, anti-racism, gender equity, women’s rights, and LGBTQIA rights.
• High level of verbal and written English and French communication skills.

What we offer

This role will give you an opportunity to contribute to systemic change and impact using Oxfam’s presence at every level from local, to regional, to global, aligned with the vision of the global strategic framework: influencing and engaging audiences around the world – through action and by generating financial support - to fight inequality to end poverty and injustice.

At Oxfam, we believe that every aspect of our work can lead to a positive outcome. If you have the same opinion, together 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 and to providing a flexible, supportive, working environment