Application Guide

How to Apply for Head of Risk and Assurance

at Oxfam

🏢 About Oxfam

Oxfam is a global confederation of 21 organizations fighting poverty and injustice through humanitarian aid, development, and advocacy. Working here means joining a mission-driven, values-based network that operates in over 90 countries, with a strong focus on systemic change and accountability.

About This Role

This role leads Oxfam's risk and assurance function, consolidating risk reports from affiliates and senior leadership, and developing the organization's Risk Management and Appetite Framework. It's impactful because you'll safeguard Oxfam's operations and reputation, enabling effective humanitarian and development work worldwide.

💡 A Day in the Life

Your day might start with a virtual meeting with affiliate risk leads to review emerging risks, then analyzing data for the quarterly Global Risk Report. Afternoon could involve facilitating a risk workshop with senior leadership or refining the Risk Appetite Framework with input from compliance and safeguarding teams.

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🎯 Who Oxfam Is Looking For

  • A seasoned risk professional with 7+ years in complex, multi-stakeholder environments (e.g., NGOs, international development, humanitarian sectors).
  • Expert in developing risk frameworks, policies, and assurance mechanisms, with a track record of producing consolidated risk reports for senior leadership.
  • Strong analytical and facilitation skills, able to synthesize complex risk information from diverse sources (operational, financial, governance, safeguarding, compliance, reputational).
  • Holds a Bachelor's in risk management, governance, or related field; advanced certification (e.g., CRM, CIA, CISA) is a strong plus.

📝 Tips for Applying to Oxfam

1

Highlight your experience with risk reporting for global, decentralized organizations—Oxfam's confederation model requires consolidating inputs from many affiliates.

2

Showcase specific examples of developing or implementing risk appetite frameworks, not just managing risks.

3

Emphasize any work with safeguarding, compliance, or reputational risks in humanitarian or development contexts.

4

Tailor your CV to demonstrate stakeholder engagement and facilitation skills, especially with senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

5

If you have experience with remote or distributed teams, mention it—Oxfam is a global remote role.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your passion for Oxfam's mission and understanding of the unique risks in humanitarian and development work.", 'Concrete examples of leading risk management in complex, multi-affiliate organizations (similar to confederation).', 'Your ability to design and implement risk frameworks that balance appetite with accountability.', 'How your analytical and communication skills enable you to synthesize risk data for strategic decision-making.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Oxfam's current Global Risk Report and any public risk disclosures (e.g., annual reports).
  • → Oxfam's confederation structure—how affiliates are governed and how decisions are made.
  • → Oxfam's safeguarding and accountability policies, especially recent improvements.
  • → Key external risks Oxfam faces (e.g., geopolitical, funding, reputational) and how they've responded.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe your experience developing a risk appetite framework. How did you engage stakeholders?
2 How would you approach consolidating risk reports from multiple affiliates with different cultures and systems?
3 Give an example of a major organizational risk you identified and how you managed it.
4 How do you ensure compliance and safeguarding risks are integrated into overall risk management?
5 Oxfam operates in high-risk environments. How do you balance risk tolerance with operational needs?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Focusing only on financial risk—Oxfam needs someone who understands operational, safeguarding, and reputational risks too.
  • Being too generic about risk management; provide specific examples tied to international development or humanitarian work.
  • Ignoring the confederation structure—don't assume a single-organization approach works; demonstrate ability to coordinate across autonomous entities.

📅 Application Timeline

⏰ Deadline: July 13, 2026

We recommend applying at least a few days early to avoid last-minute technical issues.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Oxfam!

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