Founded in 1942, Oxfam is a global movement of millions of people working across more than 90 countries, who share the belief that, in a world rich in resources, poverty isn’t inevitable. It provides life-saving supplies to families hit by the world’s worst conflicts and natural disasters, as well as helping communities around the world get clean water running, earn a fair wage and campaign for change – not just to fight poverty now, but to beat it for good.

Oxfam GB is a member of the international confederation Oxfam, working together with partners and local communities in 65 countries around the world in the areas of humanitarianism, development and campaigning. It has launched a new strategy working for a world where everyone has the power to thrive, not just survive, and tackling the biggest challenges that perpetuate poverty. Oxfam is radically shifting resources and power to those it is here to serve – and ensuring that everything it does is safe, feminist and anti-racist.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people, adults and beneficiaries with whom Oxfam GB engages. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through its code of conduct. It places a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate its values are recruited to work for and with it.

Find out about everything Oxfam does here.

Oxfam GB is led by its Board of currently 11 Trustees, who are responsible for overall governance and strategic direction.

Being an Oxfam GB Trustee is an influential and valuable role; you will make an important contribution to its current work and future direction, and particularly in helping support in implementing Oxfam GB’s strategy for 2020 onwards. This includes a change process in countries and regions to create a stronger, more globally-coordinated Oxfam in support of the wider Oxfam Confederation strategy and reforms.

Please note: Oxfam is committed to enhancing the diversity of its Board, particularly in terms of the representation of individuals from minoritised racial or ethnic groups. It would also particularly welcome applications from those with lived experience of the issues on which it works and those who may be at an earlier stage of their career or perhaps first-time Trustees. All new Trustees will be given ample support and training. Please see the Diversity section for more guidance.

Trustee (International Development)

Oxfam is looking for someone who will support the work of the Board and its Programme Committee by bringing experience and insights into international development and humanitarian issues. You will help guide and inform its work, supporting a wide network of country programmes working with diverse local partners.

For this particular role, Oxfam is keen to hear from those who are based in, have significant links to, or have spent a significant part of their life in the Global South. Any necessary international expenses will be covered.

The successful candidate will have:

• In-depth experience of humanitarian and development programmes in the Global South
• A deep understanding of theory and practice in the international development and humanitarian sectors
• Contemporary insight into current debates in the sector about future directions for International Non-Governmental Organisations
• Experience of the practical challenges and risks involved in supporting a wide network of country programmes working with diverse local partners
• An understanding of how charities operate through a global confederation

Applicants will be able to contribute significantly to the work of the Board and management, particularly through the application of relevant senior management or practitioner expertise. Candidates will benefit from highly developed interpersonal skills which will enable them to build credibility and trust swiftly, establish effective working relationships in a not-for-profit environment, and enthuse staff and volunteers.

Above all, candidates will have a demonstrable commitment to Oxfam’s aims, values and work.

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Trustee (Retail / Commercial)

Oxfam is looking for a new Trustee with deep knowledge and experience of both brick-and-mortar retail and e-commerce to support the Board and the executive in optimising Oxfam's fund-raising commercial activity. In addition, experience of consumer-facing membership or subscription businesses or brand and strategic marketing would be advantageous.

The successful candidate will have:

• Senior-level high street retail and e-commerce experience
• A track record of bringing transformation and improving performance and growth in retail
• An understanding of the importance of brand and reputation in a values-driven organisation

Applicants will be able to contribute significantly to the work of the charity, management and the Board in particular through the application of relevant professional expertise. Candidates will benefit from highly developed interpersonal skills which will enable them to build credibility and trust swiftly, establish effective working relationships in a not-for-profit environment and enthuse staff and volunteers.

Above all candidates will have a demonstrable commitment to Oxfam’s aims, values and work. They will be UK-based.

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Trustees

To further strengthen the Board, Oxfam is looking for up to two new Trustees with a senior level background in any of the following areas: digital transformation, government / public service, leading transformation in large international organisations or ethical investment management.

Digital transformation: Candidates will bring contemporary leadership experience in digital transformation to support Oxfam in deliver digital transformation across its portfolio of activities.

Government / public service: Candidates will bring significant experience in the workings of the UK public / political environment to support Oxfam in constructive engagement with government, parliament and ministers.

Transformation in large, international organisations: Candidates will have held a leadership role in a large, complex organisation, ideally with an international dimension, leading through periods of transformation.

Ethical investment management: Candidates will have extensive experience in banking and financial investment, particularly in the area of ESG and responsible investment, to support the Audit and Risk Committee in ensuring that Oxfam's investments are optimised in line with its ethical policies and overseeing its investment managers’ performance.

Applicants will be able to contribute significantly to the work of the Board and management, particularly through the application of relevant senior management or practitioner expertise. Candidates will benefit from highly developed interpersonal skills which will enable them to build credibility and trust swiftly, establish effective working relationships in a not-for-profit environment and enthuse staff and volunteers.

Above all, candidates will have a demonstrable commitment to Oxfam’s aims, values and work. Candidates can be based anywhere in the world, with applications from those based or with connections to the Global South particularly encouraged.

The minimum commitment in an average year is likely to be about 10 to 15 days (including pre-reading), of which 10 would be on fixed dates, planned well in advance. Oxfam encourages active participation and Trustees often choose to give more time. The initial term of office is for three years, with the potential to be reappointed for a further three years.

There are four Board meetings a year, usually in Oxford, UK, with some being held virtually; these usually last one-and-a-half days each. A Strategy Away Day (in practice, a day and a half) is also held in the UK once each year. In addition, Trustees are asked to visit an Oxfam programme internationally once every three years.

Trustees are usually expected to participate in one of the Board Committees, which meet up to four times per year and each last a few hours, and in occasional stakeholder events, and to be available to support management with advice as needed.

Expenses

This is an unpaid role but reasonable expenses (such as for travel and childcare) are paid for attendance at Board and Committee meetings and other Trustee activities, in accordance with its expenses policy.

Timeline and onboarding process

Oxfam would ideally like the new Trustee to join the Board this November (attending your first Board meeting on 23/24 November). In your first few months, you should allow for two or three additional days for induction (including meeting the members of Oxfam’s Strategic Leadership Team). Oxfam will give you a full induction and ongoing development, including sessions at every Board meeting about its work and the Trustee role. An experienced Oxfam Trustee will be your mentor for your first year.

Oxfam is committed to ensuring that diversity and gender equality is part of the organisation, reflecting the equality, justice and belonging which it wants all people to feel in the world. The more diverse its Board and workforce, the better its able to respond to, bring new perspectives to and tackle today’s global challenges. To that end, if you’ve ever thought Oxfam wasn’t for you; if you think we could be doing things differently; or if you feel you could never apply for this role: please read more about the role and if you’re interested, apply – Oxfam really wants to hear from you.

Oxfam welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, belief or disability. As those from minoritised racial or ethnic groups and younger people are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those individuals would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, Oxfam may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented groups can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.

Charles Gurassa, Chair

Angela Cluff, Deputy Chair

Les Campbell, Treasurer

Andrew Hind

Ken Caldwell

Hellen Akwii-Wangusa

Lois Jacobs

Nana Afadzinu

Nicolas Cheeseman

Tunde Olanrewaju

Annie Hudson