- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE MOBILISATION LEAD
- Oxfam
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- BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCE MOBILISATION LEAD
- Oxfam
- Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia (International)
- Full time
- Closed
- Free
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- Job Description
- ABOUT OXFAM
Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. We are shop volunteers, women's rights activists, marathon runners, aid workers, coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, policy experts, campaigners, water engineers and more. And we won't stop until everyone can live life without poverty for good.
Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.
- DEPARTMENT & TEAM PURPOSE
Department Purpose: To lead and enable the delivery of Oxfam's Global Strategy in Southern Africa by operating as a unified, regionally integrated team that drives systems change through partner-centred programming, strategic influencing, and knowledge-led practice. The department ensures an agile, digitally enabled and cost-efficient operating model that maximises impact, strengthens regional coherence, and positions Oxfam as a catalyst, convenor and trusted partner across the region.
Team Purpose: We are part of a broader movement for justice in Southern Africa and work in solidarity with partners, allies, and the communities we serve. Our role is to enable locally led change by strengthening the capacity, voice and influence of local actors to shape the systems and institutions that govern power and resources. Through partnerships, convening spaces, and evidence-based influencing, we contribute to thought leadership and collective action on gender and social justice, accountable governance, and alternative economic systems.
- JOB PURPOSE
The Business Development and Resource Mobilisation Lead provides strategic leadership, functional oversight, and team management for resource mobilisation, partnership development, compliance, and funding diversification across the Southern Africa (SAF) Cluster.
This role is responsible for shaping and delivering a coherent cluster-wide business development strategy that integrates institutional funding, private sector engagement, trusts and foundations, social enterprises, and innovative financing mechanisms into a unified and strategically aligned funding architecture. It ensures that resource mobilisation efforts are directly responsive to programme priorities, financial sustainability goals, and Oxfam's broader regional strategy.
Working closely with the Programme and Influencing Lead, the role ensures that programme ambitions are translated into fundable opportunities while maintaining clear boundaries between programme design and resource mobilisation. The Business Development and Resource Mobilisation Lead strengthens Oxfam's competitiveness through strategic positioning, donor diversification, early opportunity engagement, and robust pipeline management.
The role also directly leads and manages the Business Development function, including Coordinators and Compliance personnel, ensuring strong performance systems, quality assurance, cross-functional integration, and sustained delivery across a complex multi-country structure.
As a member of the Cluster Leadership Team, contribute to the collective strategic leadership, governance, and management of the SAF Cluster, sharing responsibility for organisational performance, risk management, and delivery of the Cluster Strategy.
- CONTEXT
Southern Africa is experiencing a convergence of complex and interlinked crises. Persistent poverty and extreme inequality, among the highest globally, continue to shape the lives of millions, compounded by climate shocks, economic instability, shrinking civic space, and entrenched gender inequalities.
At the same time, the region is undergoing rapid transformation. Climate-induced disasters such as droughts, floods, and cyclones are intensifying, humanitarian needs are rising, and urbanisation is reshaping patterns of poverty and exclusion. Youth populations are expanding rapidly, presenting both opportunities for change and risks of deepening inequality if economic inclusion is not achieved.
In response, Oxfam in Southern Africa has undergone a significant organisational transformation; shifting from country-based programming to a unified regional model designed to increase impact, efficiency, and influence across the Southern African Development Community (SADC). The 2026–2030 Strategy marks a decisive shift toward locally led, partner-driven approaches, with Oxfam acting as a convenor, catalyst, and influencer rather than a direct implementer.
- KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
- 1. Strategic Business Development Leadership & Cluster Positioning (20%)
Develop and drive a multi-year cluster-wide business development strategy aligned to SAF Strategy (2026–2030).
Position the SAF Cluster strategically within institutional, private sector, philanthropic, and innovative financing landscapes.
Strengthen diversified income generation across multiple funding streams, reducing overreliance on traditional donor sources.
Provide strategic analysis on funding trends, geopolitical shifts, donor priorities, and partnership risks to inform leadership decision-making.
Strengthen Oxfam's visibility, competitiveness, and strategic positioning across regional and global donor ecosystems.
Ensure business development architecture supports long-term financial sustainability and organisational resilience.
- 2. Pipeline Oversight, Integration & Opportunity Management (15%)
Lead oversight of a robust regional pipeline covering: Institutional donors, Private sector, Trusts and foundations, Social enterprises, and Innovative financing.
Ensure strong coordination and complementarity across all funding streams.
Establish effective pipeline management systems, accountability frameworks, and forecasting tools.
Support strategic prioritisation of opportunities based on: Programme fit, Financial value, Resource capacity, and Strategic impact.
Strengthen early positioning and proactive pursuit of high-value opportunities.
Reduce fragmentation and duplication across countries and thematic teams.
- 3. Alignment with Programme Strategy, Nexus Priorities & Funding Architecture (15%)
Work closely with the Programme and Influencing Lead to align funding opportunities with programme priorities and nexus programming.
Translate strategic programme frameworks into compelling, fundable opportunities.
Ensure business development supports integrated programming across: Climate & Economic Justice, Gender Justice, and Humanitarian Action.
Strengthen coherence between programme evidence, donor requirements, and business development systems.
Support positioning of multi-country, cross-thematic, and regional initiatives.
Ensure funding supports systems-change priorities rather than fragmented projectisation.
- 4. Donor Engagement, Partnership Development & External Representation (10%)
Lead strategic donor cultivation and stewardship across institutional, philanthropic, and private sector actors.
Build and maintain high-level relationships with key funding stakeholders.
Represent the SAF Cluster in donor forums, strategic partnerships, and external financing spaces.
Ensure all partnerships align with Oxfam's: Safeguarding standards, Ethical principles, Feminist values, and Localisation commitments.
Strengthen co-financing, long-term partnership models, and strategic alliances.
- 5. Proposal Development, Quality Assurance & Compliance Oversight (10%)
Oversee the development of high-quality concept notes, proposals, donor submissions, and partnership agreements.
Strengthen quality assurance systems for all resource mobilisation products.
Ensure compliance with donor regulations, Oxfam policies, safeguarding frameworks, and internal controls.
Lead integration of programme, finance, operational, and compliance inputs into proposal design.
Support strong grant acquisition outcomes through disciplined proposal systems.
Oversee Compliance Coordinators to ensure post-award integrity and risk management.
- 6. Leadership and Management of Business Development Function (20%)
Directly line manage Business Development Coordinators and Compliance Coordinators.
Establish strong systems for: Performance management, Objective setting, Staff development, Coaching, and Accountability.
Build team capability in: Pipeline development, Strategic partnerships, Donor engagement, Proposal design, and Compliance.
Foster a collaborative, innovative, and high-performing team culture grounded in Oxfam values.
Support succession planning, leadership development, and staff wellbeing.
Work closely with People, Culture and Organisational Development leadership to strengthen people systems.
- 7. Internal Coordination, Systems Integration & O