The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Oxfam International is one of the most impactful global NGO leadership jobs currently open for experienced professionals in international development, nonprofit operations, governance, and organisational transformation. This Chief Operating Officer (COO) role offers an exciting opportunity to lead operational excellence within one of the world’s most respected humanitarian organizations.

If you are searching for Chief Operating Officer jobs 2026, international NGO executive jobs, global nonprofit leadership vacancies, or senior operations jobs in humanitarian organizations, this opportunity at Oxfam International could be your next major career move.

About the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Role

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Oxfam International will lead strategic and operational management across the Oxfam International Secretariat while supporting countries and regions in alignment with Oxfam’s global strategy and transformation agenda.

This Chief Operating Officer (COO) job focuses on operational leadership, organizational effectiveness, governance, business support systems, and confederation-wide transformation initiatives.

The successful candidate will work closely with affiliate leaders, regional teams, boards, and stakeholders to strengthen operational systems, improve efficiency, and simplify organizational processes across the global Oxfam confederation.

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Chief Operating Officer (COO) Job Overview

Category	Details
Position	Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Organization	Oxfam International
Job Type	Full-Time Temporary Contract
Location	Any country where Oxfam has an office (Global South Preferred)
Sector	International Development / Humanitarian NGO
Experience Level	Senior Executive Leadership
Application Status	Open
Closing Date	In 19 Days

Why This Chief Operating Officer (COO) Job is Important

This Chief Operating Officer (COO) position plays a critical leadership role in helping Oxfam International strengthen its operational systems, governance structures, and organizational effectiveness globally.

The role supports:

• Strategic operational leadership
• Organizational transformation
• Global systems alignment
• Financial sustainability
• Risk management
• Governance excellence
• Inclusive and decolonial leadership practices

For professionals seeking international executive NGO jobs, this position provides the opportunity to influence global humanitarian systems and social justice initiatives at scale.

Key Responsibilities of the Chief Operating Officer (COO)

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) will oversee both strategic and day-to-day operations across the Oxfam International Secretariat and global confederation systems.

Main Duties Include:

Operational Leadership

• Lead strategic operational planning
• Improve organizational effectiveness
• Coordinate confederation-wide operational priorities
• Support shared services and business systems

Organizational Transformation

• Drive operational excellence initiatives
• Lead organizational change management
• Simplify systems and strengthen accountability
• Translate transformation strategies into practical operations

Governance & Financial Oversight

• Strengthen governance systems
• Support financial sustainability initiatives
• Manage enterprise risk and operational compliance
• Enhance organizational resilience

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with affiliate COOs and leadership teams
• Build strategic relationships with boards and regional offices
• Coordinate across geographically dispersed teams
• Strengthen confederation alignment

Required Qualifications for the Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Candidates applying for this Chief Operating Officer (COO) vacancy should possess substantial senior leadership experience in complex international organizations.

Essential Requirements

Leadership Experience

• Significant experience overseeing operational and business support functions
• Executive leadership experience within global organizations
• Experience managing geographically dispersed teams

Strategic Expertise

• Strong strategic thinking and decision-making abilities
• Proven operational transformation experience
• Demonstrated change management expertise

Governance & Finance

• Financial oversight experience
• Governance and compliance knowledge
• Risk management capabilities
• Organizational sustainability expertise

Communication Skills

• Excellent written and verbal English communication
• Stakeholder management expertise
• Influencing and negotiation abilities

Values & Leadership Style

Oxfam seeks a leader committed to:

• Feminist leadership approaches
• Decolonial organizational practices
• Inclusive leadership principles
• Equity and justice-centered operations

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About Oxfam International

Oxfam International is a globally recognized humanitarian confederation working to fight poverty, inequality, and injustice worldwide.

The organization:

• Responds to humanitarian emergencies
• Supports vulnerable communities
• Advocates for economic justice
• Promotes gender equality
• Advances climate justice
• Supports accountable governance systems

Oxfam collaborates with activists, grassroots organizations, local partners, and international stakeholders to create sustainable social transformation.

Its mission centers around creating a future that is:

• Equal
• Just
• Fair
• Inclusive
• Sustainable

Benefits of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) Job

Professionals selected for this Chief Operating Officer (COO) position may access several organizational benefits.

Employee Benefits Include:

• Flexible working arrangements
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employee wellbeing support
• International leadership exposure
• Global networking opportunities
• Strategic executive-level experience
• Inclusive and mission-driven work environment

Who Should Apply?

This Chief Operating Officer (COO) opportunity is ideal for professionals with experience in:

• International NGOs
• Humanitarian organizations
• Global nonprofit operations
• Executive leadership
• International development management
• Governance and compliance
• Organizational transformation
• Global operations strategy

Professionals searching for:

• NGO executive jobs 2026
• International COO jobs
• Humanitarian leadership vacancies
• Global operations director jobs
• International nonprofit careers
• Senior development sector jobs

should strongly consider this opportunity.

Final Thoughts

The Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Oxfam International represents a rare opportunity for experienced leaders to shape the operational future of one of the world’s leading humanitarian organizations.

This role combines:

• Strategic leadership
• Global operational management
• Organizational transformation
• Humanitarian impact
• Governance excellence
• Inclusive leadership

For professionals passionate about justice, equality, operational excellence, and global development, this Chief Operating Officer (COO) vacancy offers meaningful international leadership experience and the opportunity to create lasting global impact.