Senior Specialist Financial Sector

Do you want to fight for equality? Tackling inequality at its roots, together with colleagues, our partner organizations and activists in more than 90 countries? To change the systems behind it, once and for all!

Oxfam Novib stands behind the people who stand up for equality. Together, we fight for a world where everyone has equal opportunities, regardless of religion, ethnicity, sex, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity. A world where everyone feels safe; where income gaps are shrinking instead of growing, where climate change is tackled firmly. 

Equality is the common thread in our work, both internally and externally. We recognize that our team of colleagues can become even more diverse, and that only with a diverse team can we gain a broad perspective on the world. Therefore, we want to encourage everyone who is interested to apply. Our aim is to create an environment where colleagues feel welcome and diversity is embraced and celebrated.

Our aim is to build a team that offers a rich variety of perspectives, enabling us to achieve an inclusive and inspiring work environment.

Apply and become part of Oxfam Novib!

Purpose of the Fair Unit

The FAIR Financial Systems and Investment Unit addresses extreme inequality and climate change driven by todays’ growth-focused economic system. The Senior specialist financial sector is a member of the unit FAIR Financial Systems and Investments of 14 people at Oxfam Novib. The Unit is responsible for our work on working on and with national and international private sector, including financial sector, and governments to reverse the trend of growing inequalities, increasing rights abuses and climate crises, for fundamental changes to public and private sector policies and practices, so that wealth, profits, and welfare are shared more equally and transparently, and the climate and environmental crises is addressed.

It implements various advocacy and capacity building projects, including work on tax, the Dutch Eerlijke Geldwijzer, Fair Finance International, agreements on international responsible business conduct, and mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence for companies. Fair Finance International is a network of 150 civil society organizations in 22 countries. The unit works closely with allies, Oxfam country offices and partners. 

Job Summary

When we wake you up in the middle of the night, you will immediately argue why banks, insurance companies and pension funds should strengthen their sustainability policies. After breakfast, you have informed at least three members of parliament about which opportunities they have to contribute to a financial sector that does not harm the planet. And if by lunch time Dutch media want to know how Oxfam Novib thinks about the latest investment of bank X, pension fund Y or insurance company Z, you will give the perfect explanation how that investment helps or hinders the pursuit of equal human rights for people on the other end of the world.

As you see, we are looking for an experienced specialist financial sector. You will be one of the key people within Oxfam Novib who leads and implements our work and supports others to push the financial sector towards a more inclusive and sustainable future with investments that do good instead of harming human rights, equal development and the environment. You will represent us in different national and international arenas: political, financial and civil society and take lead in in representing us in multistakeholder spaces in the Netherlands.

Besides your focus on the financial sector, you will support other work related to the private sector and the sustainability of value chains and contribute to other pieces of work within the Unit.

Key responsibilities

• Represent Oxfam Novib in different types of engagement with the financial sector, e.g. the Climate commitment of the Dutch financial sector;
• Represent Oxfam Novib in different types of engagement with the ministry of finance, relevant committees at the parliament, the DNB and AFM.
• Represent Oxfam Novib in the engagement with relevant external stakeholders such as multi-stakeholder initiatives, companies, government representatives, NGOs, coalitions, trade unions, and academics.

• Act as projectleader of the Dutch Eerlijke Geldwijzer/Bankwijzer;
• Act as a spokesperson for Oxfam Novib on sustainability issues in the financial sector, communicating Oxfam's views to other stakeholders and the media;
• Strengthen the cooperation of Oxfam Novib with CSO’s, Oxfam affiliates and other stakeholders at Dutch and international level on influencing / campaigning for a stable, sustainable and inclusive financial sector, including the coalitions in the Fair Finance International network;
• Lead and contribute to the development of new policy positions, analyses, projects, campaigns or research as part of the Oxfam Novib program strategy towards a stable, sustainable and inclusive financial sector;
• Participate or initiate knowledge development / sharing and mutual learning amongst Oxfam and partners regarding the Financial / Private Sector and how to influence it;
• Contribute or lead on fundraising for (new) projects to external donors;
• Provide input for and facilitate the further development of benchmarks and research methodologies with regard to the Financial Sector, such as the Fair Finance Guide Methodology;
• Provide input for the review process of the EU Corporate sustainability due diligence directive (CSDDD) on the inclusion of the financial sector and advice on and monitor the implementation of the CSDDD and other relevant policies by the financial sector.
• Develop and contribute to the implementation of Oxfam strategies and approaches towards the private sector, on themes such as human rights, climate, due diligence, regulation, sectoral collaboration, taxation. Keep abreast of national and international developments and trends relevant to private sector work, including the financial sector.

Education

Master’s or HBO bachelor’s degree in a relevant field.

Experience

You have: 

• Demonstrable experience of 5 years in working on, in or with financial sector and international value-chains; 
• Preferably 3 years of experience working in an international context or on international development issues; you bring a culturally sensitive attitude;
• At least 5 years of experience of working as a lobbyist on sustainability issues in the financial sector;
• Good experience in benchmarking and research on Financial Sector;
• Good experience in project development and project management;
• Good experience in working in multistakeholder environments and projects.

Languages
Fluency in English and Dutch is required.

Working at Oxfam Novib

• All our work is guided by our core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness, Courage, Solidarity and Equality.
• At Oxfam Novib, we work according to the Feminist Principles - Oxfam Policy & Practice.
• Oxfam Novib is committed to offer you a motivating work environment at our offices in The Hague. We offer a one-year contract (including a 1-month trial period), with the possibility to extend.
• Oxfam Novib offers an attractive and honest benefits package, including a year-end allowance and yearly pay increase from the Collective Labor Agreement. Moreover, we offer complementary options to choose from. The salary range for this position is set in scale 10 with a salary range between €3.625,- and €5.579,- gross based on 36 hours a week. The position is for 32-36 hours per week.
• Oxfam Novib is based on the power of difference. That is why we aim to attract a diverse mix of talented people who share our standards, values and principles, and who are committed to prevent and eliminate any type of misconduct.
• We have an active policy against sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, any form of abuse of power or lack of integrity and financial misconduct. This subject will be covered in our application and selection process.

Additional information

• Do you believe that this is the job you are looking for? Then we would love to meet you! Please send your resume and cover letter via our application portal.
• If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Ivan Nikolic, manager of the FAIR FSI Unit: Ivan.Nkolic@oxfam.org
• Only applications received before the closing date of the 6th of December 2024 and submitted via our application portal will be considered.
• This job opening is posted internally and externally, simultaneously. Internal candidates are given preference if they are sufficiently qualified or can be obtained in short term. We believe it’s important in our organization that our employees are offered maximum opportunities for growth in new themes and competencies. Priority for internal candidates supports this.
• At the time of a contract offer, it is necessary for Oxfam Novib to request valid references. Our candidates will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including criminal records and terrorism, financial checks or integrity screenings/references.
• Oxfam Novib reserves the right, to its sole discretion, not to make agreements regarding this job opening, make an agreement in a lower level, or make an agreement with an amended job description.
• We are currently working hybrid (50% in the office in The Hague and 50% at home).
• Qualified candidates residing in the Netherlands, or other EU/EEA countries and who are willing to relocate to the Netherlands at their own expense and responsibility, are encouraged to apply.
• Oxfam Novib is unable to provide visa sponsorship at this time.