Job Opportunities at Oxfam

Oxfam is an international confederation of 17 organizations (affiliates) committed to creating a just world without poverty. In Nigeria Oxfam works in the areas of Economic Justice/Sustainable Livelihoods, Humanitarian Programming to save lives, Advancing Gender Justice and Good Governance, adopting a right based approach.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Village Savings and Loan Officer

Requisition ID 8061
Location: Abuja
Internal Job Grade: D1 (Village Savings and Loan Officer)
Contract type: 1 year
Reporting to: Resilience and Private Sector Engagement Program Manager
Staff reporting directly to this post: None

Roles and Responsibilities
Oxfam Nigeria is the leading international practitioner organisation working with Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) mainly in the north of the country, with over 200,000 individuals organized into more than 10,000 groups. Most of Oxfam Nigeria’s entire livelihoods and rural development strategy is built on the VSLA foundation, as an entry-level financial service that becomes a platform for a range of other development interventions. VSLAs are particularly well-suited to take on this role because, more than almost any other development intervention, they have proven to be enthusiastically embraced by host communities and have proven highly successful in terms of sustainability and self-management.

Oxfam has experienced very rapid programme growth in the last 5 years.  This growth is based not only on VSLAs, but federations of VSLAs, that are a second-tier institutions, comprised of 5-10 VSLAs that federate in order to maximise their commercial and negotiating power, while offering savings and loan services to constituent VSLAs that are seeking additional capital to expand. Oxfam Nigeria’s programme is highly successful and has attracted the attention of donors and government, but this growth now needs to be consolidated, and, while there will remain a strong focus on programme expansion, Oxfam feels the need to ensure that the very highest possible standards of field operations, reporting and supervision, to consolidate its gains.

Oxfam is therefore seeking to recruit a full-time VSLA Officer whose principal duties fall into three areas:

• Formalisation of programme quality support to partner agencies that work with Oxfam to create VSLAs and VSLFs.  This will involve:
• Setting up formal planning and supervision protocols with partner agencies on a state-by-state basis
• Ensuring that partners work to an operational and quality plan, through the strengthening of internal supervisory structures and systems
• Ensuring that partner reporting through the SAVIX MIS in which:
  • Reports are substantially based on project logical framework indicators
  • Reporting is done monthly
  • Reports are internally audited for accuracy
  • Reports are the foundation for regular partner planning
• Facilitation of partner-agency introduction of other sectoral initiatives.  This will involve
• Development of operational plans
• Specification of methodologies and sources of technical support
• Development of the necessary administrative, budgeting, and reporting systems
• Facilitating the design of new projects, as Oxfam’s VSLA-based programme expands.  This will be done in concert with partners and the detailed development of funding proposals.
• Development of a linkage strategy that focuses on:
• Research into linkage interventions (both internal and external to Oxfam to identify risks and benefits of potential linkages between VSLAs, VSLFs, and external financial service providers
• Development of a strategy for the potential integration of VSLFs with the formal financial sector, through identification of investments, the safe storage of excess liquidity, and the cautious mobilising of additional credit to both VSLFs and VSLAs of additional capital for which there is a proven demand
• Maximising cooperative relationships with appropriate government agencies on a state-by-state basis

Job Requirements
Essential:

Education:

• Minimum of Bachelor's degree in any relevant field
• Master's will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive working experience in designing and facilitating linking and learning activities
• A strong track record of working with VSLAs, with a deep understanding of how they work and whom they benefit.  This experience should be at both the field operations level and in a managerial role
• A strong experience of community development and clear evidence of cultural sensitivity
• A good track record of creating good working relationships with partner agencies
• A good track record of managing operational staff, both in terms of strong planning skills, maintenance of productive relationships and data-based performance analysis
• A bachelor’s degree, preferably in a technical area that requires analytical and data-driven decision-making
• Computer literacy in standard Office programs and familiarity with the SAVIX MIS, preferably in the role of Project administrator or MIS administrator
• Physically fit and willing to spend at least 50% of their time in the field, often in physically challenging circumstances

Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Decisiveness: We are comfortable to make transparent decisions and to adapt decision making modes to the context and needs.
• Influencing: We have the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in a way that leads to increased impact for the organization We spot opportunities to influence effectively and where there are no opportunities we have the ability to create them in a respectful and impactful manner.
• Humility: We put ‘we’ before ‘me’ and place an emphasis on the power of the collective, nurture the team, and play to the strengths of each individual. We are not concerned with hierarchical power, and we engage with, trust and value the knowledge and expertise of others across all levels of the organization.
• Relationship Building: We understand the importance of building a relationship, within and outside the organization. We have the ability to engage with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in ways that lead to increased impact for the organization.
• Listening: We are good listeners who can see where deeper levels of thoughts and tacit assumptions differ. Our messages to others are clear and consider different preferences.
• Mutual Accountability: We can explain our decisions and how we have taken them based on our organizational values.  We are ready to be held to account for what we do and how we behave, as we are also holding others to account in a consistent manner.
• Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity: We scan the environment, anticipate changes, are comfortable with a lack of clarity, and deal with a large number of elements interacting in diverse and unpredictable ways.
• Systems Thinking: We view problems as parts of an overall system and in their relation to the whole system, rather than reacting to a specific part, outcome, or event in isolation. We focus on cyclical rather than linear cause and effect. By consistently practicing systems thinking we are aware of and manage well-unintended consequences of organizational decisions and actions.
• Strategic Thinking and Judgment: We use judgment, weighing risk against the imperative to act. We make decisions consistent with organizational strategies and values.
• Vision Setting: We have the ability to identify and lead visionary initiatives that are beneficial for our organization and we set high-level direction through a visioning process that engages the organization and diverse external stakeholders.
• Self-Awareness: We are able to develop a high degree of self-awareness around our own strengths and weaknesses and our impact on others. Our self-awareness enables us to moderate and self-regulate our behaviors to control and channel our impulses for good purposes.
• Enabling: We all work to effectively empower and enable others to deliver the organization's goals through creating conditions of success. We passionately invest in others by developing their careers, not only their skills for the job.  We provide freedom; demonstrate belief and trust provide appropriate support

Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply

Application Deadline 21st January, 2021.

Job Title: Linking, Learning and Amplifier Officer

Requisition ID 8062
Location: Abuja
Internal Job Grade: D1
Contract type: 1 year
Reporting to: Voice Programme Coordinator
Staff reporting directly to this post: None

Job Descriptions
The expected results for the position are:

• Linking and Learning between and among grantees and other programmes within Hivos and / or Oxfam.
• Well-coordinated and high quality Linking and Learning facilitation by the Linking and Learning facilitation grantee.
• Inclusive and participatory practices.
• Amplification of stories of grantees and Linking and Learning highlights a stronger Oxfam for people living in poverty

Roles and Responsibilities

• Promote Linking and Learning in all we do; motivate grantees to develop their own linking and learning.
• Support the Voice Programme Coordinator  in the assessment and analyses of grantees ’own linking and learning as well as capacity development interests ;
• Facilitate selecting, contracting, and post-contract grant management of Linking and Learning and capacity development facilitators;
• Support the Voice Programme Coordinator  in the assessment and analysis of the Innovate and Learn grant applications, with particular focus on the learning questions and the nature of the innovation;

Managing the Linking and Learning component effectively by:

• Facilitating documentation and communication of lessons learned and good practices of inclusion, empowerment processes, capacity development support, and influencing;
• Facilitating mapping of knowledge gaps and documentation of learning agenda’s among the rightsholders group(s) and grantees;
• Furthering the development of a common national approach of linking and learning together with the Linking and Learning facilitator and key stakeholders and align the Monitoring & Evaluation framework;
• Collaborating closely with the roving Monitoring and Evaluation officer around the identification, documentation, and amplification of grantee project results and changes, in particular related to Outcome Harvesting and Voices of Change.
• Coordinating implementation of Linking & Learning and innovative interventions with the Linking and Learning facilitator (e.g. organising learning events, facilitate constitution of Communities of Practice, support realisation of innovation labs) at country level;
• Supporting the analyses, validation and aggregation of learning;
• Leading the reassessment of the Voice country context analysis;
• Promoting and overseeing the use of Linking and Learning infrastructure for full documentation of the linking and learning processes and sharing lessons learnt;
• Participating and contributing actively to the Voice Linking and Learning Community of Practice.

In close collaboration with the Communications Hub, managing the amplification / communication component effectively by:

• Identifying and proposing opportunities to amplify the voices of grantees (like (inter)national commemoration days, existing campaigns, use of networks). At national level you will take initiative while at global level it will be in collaboration with the Communications Hub;
• Promoting and applying a hope-based and inclusive narrative
• Promoting and supporting the elaboration of audio-visual materials, blogs, vlogs, and other products;
• Sharing the communication products including Lessons learnt, stories, blogs, research findings) at different and relevant fora / media;
• Managing and advising on the use of Voice branding and communications.

Job Requirements
Essential:

Education:

• Minimum of Bachelor's degree in Education, Social Science or Other Relevant Subject
• Master's will be an added advantage.
• Minimum of  5 years of progressive working experience in designing and facilitating linking and learning activities

The table below lists key tasks for the Linking and Learning Officer part of this position, its frequency and priority:

What - Priority:

• Quality management and accompaniment work plan Linking and learning facilitator - High
• Assess Linking and Learning (LL) facilitator reports: High
• Act upon reports and products of LL events as well as monthly progress communicated by the LL facilitator. This can be related to communications (pushing stories, methodologies, tools towards the communications hub) Learning, Voice grant making, Communities of Practice, Voice external network and stakeholders - High
• Schedule coordination meetings with LL facilitator in line with the work plan - High
• Participate in key activities like the LL kick-off, annual learning events, and some other occasions - High
• Grant assessment Innovate and Learn grants: priority, including presentation to the panel if requested - High
• Grant assessment IF, SO and EM grants: only pre-selected candidates, provide opinion from a LL perspective, if requested, listen into the panel to respond to questions on your comments - Medium
• Read and act upon grantees’ Milestones reports for all grants: what questions are asked? What patterns are happening across grantees? What needs are being expressed? What are they doing that other people can learn from? - Medium
• Participate in the monthly Linking and Learning E-meets; provide quarterly LL statistics for MIS report. Participate actively in the LL Community of Practice. - High
• Contribute to Voice country annual planning - Low (short time)
• Organising and documenting Community of Stakeholders - High
• Update Context Analysis - High
• Linking with Oxfam and Hivos (programmes)  and other Stakeholders and initiatives - Medium
• Yearly LL officer's meeting coinciding with the Indaba - High
• Preparatory work for participation grantees in Indaba -  can be done by LL facilitator - Low to medium,
• Documenting and making available lessons, tools, and innovations - Medium to high.

Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply

Job Title: Gender Officer

Requisition ID: 7908
Location: Taraba
Internal Job Grade: D1
Contract type: 1 Year
Reporting to: Project Manager
Staff reporting directly to this post: None

Job Purpose

• The Gender  Officer is expected to provide high-quality support to different to the PROSELL Project and to partners according to Oxfam’s standards and contribute to Oxfam’s global and regional learning aspirations through capacity building, coordination, mentoring and monitoring, making sure that Oxfam’s Response meets the gender minimum standards as well as promotes women’s voice, participation and leadership.
• The job holder will define and support the implementation of Gender Justice programming, and strengthen Gender Mainstreaming in the PROSELL Project, sustainable livelihoods, policy, and advocacy / campaigning. This involves long term programming as well as practical support to humanitarian response.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Program Support and Information, Analysis:

• Lead the implementation of gender integration in the PROSELL Project according to OXFAM’s Country Strategy and commitments to gender transformative programming.
• With the support of the Gender Coordinator, carry out gender analysis and power mapping within the PROSELL Project to explore and address the underlying causes of women’s vulnerability to household abuses due to gender stereotypes, social construct, social norms, and the misperception that limit women’s access
• Promote the emergence of change agents that are strong gender champions (both male and female)
• Support the collection and analysis of sex-and age-disaggregated data (SADD) as well as streamlining the needs assessment, collection and analysis, and gender audit so that the PROSELL Project can be more effective in meeting beneficiary needs.
• Facilitate and support the integration of gender perspectives in the programming across other sectors within Oxfam’s Programmes and advise the Project Team on challenges and solutions.
• Assist in adapting existing systems to monitor progress in gender mainstreaming by using OXFAM and IASC framework and checklists and adapting them
• Ensure that issues of GBV, SN, and PSHEA are explored in sensitive ways and that services and follow-up are provided in keeping with OXFAM’s guidelines.
• Review project plans and budgets (or provide written guidelines for such a review) to ensure that adequate attention is paid (and resources allocated) to the promotion of gender equality within the PROSELL Project.
• Support the MEAL Unit in anchoring relevant and measurable gender mainstreaming indicators in PROSELL’s programming and influencing work.
• Develop proposals on women’s rights to fundraise for programme activities.
• Prepare periodic progress reports on the women’s rights program

Partnership and Coordination:

• Provide expert advice on the implementation of, facilitate and monitor the implementation of Oxfam gender priorities (mainstreaming and standalone projects)
• Provide support and leadership to ensure women’s rights are at the heart of Oxfam’s PROSELL Project strategy, and ensure that Oxfam’s long term gender justice strategy is relevant and adapted to a post crisis context
• Lead external coordination with government, non-government, partner organizations, and UN coordination mechanisms on women's rights in Taraba State.
• Internal coordination with the Gender Coordinator, the MEAL team, Sector Specialists, and Area Coordinators, strengthening coordination structures to understand the social/gender dynamics and trends in the affected population.
• Encourage setting up gender and safeguarding focal points in partner organizations, local leaders, and organizations / networks known to promote the interests of women within Taraba State.
• Build strategic alliances with other key actors, including Women’s Rights Organizations, to advocate for gender-sensitive programming.
• Ensure that OXFAM’s work treats gender as a cross-cutting issue in all its response and recovery activities, in accordance with the emergency response strategy.
• Promote the use of the gender action plan by all OXFAM and keep partner staff members aware of this so this is considered in ongoing response and recovery work.
• Lead the activities of the international women’s day and Sixteen Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence Campaign within the PROSELL Project.

Communications and Knowledge Management:

• Initiate and / or support research on emerging issues on women’s rights to guide advocacy and campaigns in both humanitarian and non-humanitarian programs
• Collect and promote good practices and lessons learned, contributing to a collection of replicable good practices for gender equality programming for both OXFAM in Nigeria and the wider OXFAM
• Provide technical support to identify opportunities for the development of relevant advocacy and communication / information materials to address gender (in)equality issues
• Participate in planning sessions as needed and provide a gender perspective on planning issues.

Capacity Building:

• Facilitate the training of project staff on gender transformative approach to reduce care burden on women, and involve more women in productive activities and improve their political participation right from the community to State and Federal levels
• Work with OXFAM staff and partners in Taraba State to strengthen capacity to implement gender-responsive programming through training, guidance, one-on-one support, commenting on strategy plans, providing input to program design and proposal writing.
• Review basic concepts and principles of gender / GBV / PSHEA / SN for all team members; provide specialized sector briefings to each respective specialist / team as appropriate.
• Provide regular orientation on promoting the OXFAM gender pick and go modules, OXFAM Minimum Standards for Gender in Emergencies, the use of Gender, Gender in WASH, Gender in EFSL and SL, and GBV handbooks and checklists in all OXFAM focus areas.

Person's Specification
Essential:

• University degree in International Development, Humanitarian, or Gender Studies.

Experience:

• At least 3 years’ experience in providing technical advice on gender mainstreaming and/or women’s rights programming; demonstrable understanding of gender mainstreaming and women’s rights; and experience in promoting women’s leadership and decision making in areas of sustainable livelihoods emergencies, and disaster risk reduction.
• Substantial knowledge of the socio-economic and political context of the region and how it affects women’s rights and gender equality
• Knowledge of the Results-based management (RBM) approach and Performance measurement framework (PMF).
• Knowledge and / or experience of common Oxfam norms objects, standards, and tools
• Experience using a computerised information management system (Ms Word, Excel, etc.)

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong analytical skills and well-developed ability to think strategically, including the ability to analyse post-disaster reconstruction and development trends, specifically gender issues;
• Ability to work within multi-cultural teams and as an individual; a self-starter with proven ability to work creatively, innovatively, and effectively and who can work within a framework and with limited direct supervision
• Demonstrated ability to manage workflows and balance competing priorities
• Ability to represent Oxfam in a professional and competent manner with external individuals and organisations
• Well-developed conceptual, critical, and analytical thinking with the ability to convey complex information in a straightforward way and influencing this to a wider audience
• Proven experience as a team player and demonstrably cooperative with members of other teams, responding quickly and accurately to queries and issues
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal English) and the ability to write clear concise reports.
• Knowledge or appreciation of Nigeria in terms of its political, economic, and social trends plus a good understanding of the key development and humanitarian issues in the region
• Commitment to Oxfam’s overall aims and policies and experience of promoting women’s rights and the interests of marginalized people in all aspects of Oxfam’s work
• Willingness to travel frequently to remote areas

Desirable:

• Working experience in a conflict or post-conflict situation

Organisational Values:

• Accountability - Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment - Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness - We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Key Behavioral Competencies:

• Decisiveness: We are comfortable to make transparent decisions and to adapt decision making modes to the context and needs.
• Influencing: We have the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in a way that leads to increased impact for the organization We spot opportunities to influence effectively and where there are no opportunities, we have the ability to create them in a respectful and impactful manner.
• Humility: We put ‘we’ before ‘me’ and place an emphasis on the power of the collective, nurture the team and play to the strengths of each individual. We are not concerned with hierarchical power, and we engage with, trust and value the knowledge and expertise of others across all levels of the organization.
• Relationship Building: We understand the importance of building relationship, within and outside the organization. We have the ability to engage with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in ways that lead to increased impact for the organization.
• Listening: We are good listeners who can see where deeper levels of thoughts and tacit assumptions differ. Our messages to others are clear and consider different preferences.
• Mutual Accountability: We can explain our decisions and how we have taken them based on our organizational values.  We are ready to be held to account for what we do and how we behave, as we are also holding others to account in a consistent manner.
• Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity:  We scan the environment, anticipate changes, are comfortable with lack of clarity and deal with a large number of elements interacting in diverse and unpredictable ways.
• Systems Thinking: We view problems as parts of an overall system and in their relation to the whole system, rather than reacting to a specific part, outcome or event in isolation. We focus on cyclical rather than linear cause and effect. By consistently practicing systems thinking we are aware of and manage well unintended consequences of organizational decisions and actions.
• Strategic Thinking and Judgment: We use judgment, weighing risk against the imperative to act. We make decisions consistent with organizational strategies and values.
• Vision Setting: We have the ability to identify and lead visionary initiatives that are beneficial for our organization and we set high-level direction through a visioning process that engages the organization and diverse external stakeholders.
• Self-Awareness: We are able to develop a high degree of self-awareness around our own strengths and weaknesses and our impact on others. Our self-awareness enables us to moderate and self-regulate our behaviors to control and channel our impulses for good purposes.
• Enabling: We all work to effectively empower and enable others to deliver the organizations goals through creating conditions of success. We passionately invest in others by developing their careers, not only their skills for the job.  We provide freedom; demonstrate belief and trust provide appropriate support.

Key Attributes:

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.  
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender / gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who meet Oxfam are as safe as possible..

Organizational Values:

• Accountability - Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment - Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness - We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Interested and qualified candidates should:Click here to apply

Application Deadline 25th January, 2021.

 
Important Information and Notice

• We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organization. Therefore, people of all gender identities, sexes, sexual orientations, races, colors, religions, cultures, abilities, etc. are eligible for this position.
• Oxfam aims to attract great talent that not only fits the job but also Oxfam’s high standard of values and principles, who shares and demonstrates Oxfam’s commitment to prevent and eradicate any type of misconduct including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any other type of misuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
• 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, or integrity screenings / references relating to misconduct and disciplinary actions in prior employment.
• Due to the urgency of this vacancy, applications will be reviewed as received and the vacancy could be closed earlier than the date indicated.
• Qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply