Oxfam WE-CARE Programme Manager Job 2026: Apply for a Flexible Africa-Based Position
Oxfam International is inviting applications for the WE-CARE Programme Manager position for 2026, offering an opportunity for an experienced programme leader to advance gender justice, economic justice and care policy across Africa. The successful candidate will support initiatives addressing unpaid care and domestic work, strengthen partnerships with women’s rights organisations, and contribute to policy advocacy at national, regional and continental levels.
The position is open to candidates based in eligible African countries where Oxfam has an office or presence, with a preference for Southern Africa or Kenya. This is a fixed-term, one-year opportunity for professionals with experience in gender equality, programme management, feminist advocacy and international development.
Applications close on 16 November 2026.
Oxfam WE-CARE Programme Manager Job 2026: Overview
- Job Title: WE-CARE Programme Manager
- Organisation: Oxfam International
- Programme: Oxfam in Africa (OiA)
- Location: Flexible within eligible countries in Sub-Saharan Africa
- Preferred Locations: Southern Africa or Kenya
- Contract Type: Fixed-term, one year
- Job Grade: C1, National
- Salary: In line with Oxfam’s applicable pay range
- Working Hours: 36 hours per week
- Application Deadline: 16 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT/BST/EAT
Applicants must already have, and be able to retain, the legal right to work in their chosen location. Oxfam International cannot guarantee work permits or provide relocation support. Employment arrangements will depend on whether a contract can be established directly or through a hosting affiliate.
About the WE-CARE Programme Manager Role
The WE-CARE Programme Manager will lead the implementation of Oxfam in Africa’s WE-CARE strategy, supporting efforts to recognise, reduce and redistribute unpaid care and domestic work.
Unpaid care responsibilities, including childcare, eldercare and household work, disproportionately affect women and girls. These responsibilities can limit women’s access to education, employment, economic opportunities and participation in public life.
Through the WE-CARE programme, Oxfam seeks to advance policies and partnerships that promote a more equitable distribution of care responsibilities and strengthen care-responsive public services and social protection systems.
The successful candidate will work closely with Oxfam country teams, civil society partners, women’s rights organisations and regional networks. The role will connect programme implementation with gender justice, economic justice and accountable governance initiatives.
The position also involves supporting advocacy at national, regional and continental levels, including engagement with African Union specialised technical committees and broader feminist economic justice processes.
Key Responsibilities
The WE-CARE Programme Manager will oversee programme delivery, partnership development and policy engagement across priority countries, including Zimbabwe, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia.
Key responsibilities include:
- Programme Management: Lead programme planning, implementation and sustainability across participating countries, ensuring activities align with Oxfam’s strategic objectives.
- Gender and Care Justice: Support initiatives addressing unpaid care and domestic work, gender inequality, care-responsive public services and social protection.
- Policy Advocacy: Translate programme evidence and partner experiences into advocacy strategies that influence national, regional and continental policy processes.
- Partnership Development: Strengthen collaboration with women’s rights organisations, civil society networks, Oxfam country teams and other stakeholders.
- Budget and Donor Management: Oversee programme budgets, ensure donor compliance and maintain high standards of financial accountability and reporting.
- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Support programme quality, evidence generation, learning and accountability across participating countries.
- Donor Engagement: Serve as the principal donor focal point for the Hewlett Foundation and other care-related donors.
- Team Coordination: Provide functional leadership to geographically dispersed teams and promote collaboration across countries and programme areas.
The role requires a combination of strategic leadership, operational management and policy expertise to ensure that programme outcomes contribute to meaningful and sustainable change.
Requirements and Qualifications
Oxfam is seeking a strategic and committed programme leader with substantial experience managing complex, multi-country programmes, preferably within an international non-governmental organisation operating in Africa.
Candidates should demonstrate a strong understanding of gender justice, women’s rights and unpaid care and domestic work.
The ideal applicant will have experience in strategic planning, budget management as a budget holder, donor compliance and programme reporting. Experience working with foundation donors, particularly the Hewlett Foundation, will be an advantage.
Additional requirements include:
- Experience building feminist partnerships with women’s rights organisations and networks.
- A proven ability to connect programme evidence with policy influence and advocacy.
- Strong communication, analytical and stakeholder engagement skills.
- Experience coordinating diverse teams across multiple countries.
- Knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning approaches.
- Demonstrated feminist leadership and commitment to safeguarding.
- Fluency in English; French is highly desirable.
- Willingness to travel as required.
Applicants should demonstrate how their experience meets the essential criteria outlined in the official job profile.
Why Work for Oxfam International?
Oxfam is a global movement working to address poverty, inequality and injustice. Its work combines humanitarian assistance, development programmes and campaigning to challenge the systems that prevent people from accessing equal opportunities and rights.
Oxfam in Africa works with civil society organisations, academics, governments and private-sector stakeholders to promote a more equal continent. Its priorities include gender equality, economic justice, accountable governance and strengthening local communities.
The WE-CARE Programme Manager position offers an opportunity to contribute to a flagship gender justice programme with continental reach. It also provides scope to strengthen expertise in feminist economic policy, programme leadership and regional advocacy.
The role is particularly suited to professionals seeking to influence how governments and institutions recognise and address the unequal distribution of care responsibilities.
How to Apply for the Oxfam WE-CARE Programme Manager Job 2026
Interested candidates should prepare an up-to-date CV and a cover letter explaining their suitability for the position against the essential criteria in the official job profile.
Before applying, candidates should confirm that they have the legal right to work in their proposed location and can meet the position’s travel requirements.
Application Deadline: 16 November 2026 at 23:59 GMT/BST/EAT.
APPLY ON THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE
Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, typically within two weeks of the closing date. Employment offers are subject to satisfactory references and any applicable screening checks.
Candidates interested in advancing gender equality, care justice and women’s economic empowerment across Africa are encouraged to review the official job profile and submit their applications before the deadline.
