Unit Manager SAFE/Humanitarian Lead

Oxfam Novib is part of the global Oxfam Confederation and works towards a just world without poverty. Through our 2020–2030 strategy, we focus on achieving systemic change under four themes: Equal, Fair, Green & Safe.

We are committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and safeguarding. We especially encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.

If you are a strategic humanitarian leader with strong people management skills and a passion for safe and resilient communities, we invite you to apply.

About the Role

Oxfam Novib is seeking an experienced and strategic leader to head the SAFE Unit within the Programs Department.

The purpose of the SAFE Unit within the Oxfam Novib Programs Department is to develop and co-implement (influencing) programs in the following areas: Supporting People on the Move and Promoting Safe and Resilient Communities. The Unit is also responsible for upholding and promoting Oxfam’s humanitarian mandate within Oxfam Novib through program and proposal development, resource mobilization and grant management. The Unit is responsible for leading on and ensuring the coherence of Oxfam Novib’s policy positions on themes related to conflict, migration and humanitarian assistance. The Unit oversees, coordinates and delivers impactful externally funded SAFE (multi-country) programs and projects and supports conflict sensitivity mainstreaming within Oxfam Novib and the wider Oxfam. During humanitarian scale up, the Unit coordinates the scale up of back-office functions, working in collaboration with HR, finance, logistics, security etc. and with Oxfam International for the humanitarian response program.

As Unit Manager SAFE, you will be responsible for shaping and delivering impactful (inter)national programs, leading strategy development, resource mobilization, policy influencing, and high-quality program implementation, while ensuring alignment with Oxfam Novib’s 2020–2030 Manifesto (Equal, Fair, Green & Safe).

You will lead a multidisciplinary team, operate within a matrix organization, and represent Oxfam Novib externally in networks, partnerships, and advocacy spaces.

Your Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Leadership

• Develop and lead the SAFE Unit strategy and portfolio in alignment with Oxfam Novib’s organizational strategy.
• Act as thought leader on conflict, humanitarian response, migration, and resilience.
• Ensure coherence of Oxfam Novib’s policy positions on SAFE-related themes.
• Contribute to the Programs Department Management Team and advise the Board of Directors on thematic expertise.
• Translate internal and external developments into strategic opportunities and program innovation.

2. Program Development & Resource Mobilization

• Lead the strategic development of multi-year programs and projects.
• Ensure a continuous pipeline of quality proposals and funding opportunities in collaboration with the Partnership & Program Development unit.
• Oversee grant management and donor compliance.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with donors, including institutional and private funders.
• Ensure alignment, complementarity, and impact across the unit’s portfolio.

3. Humanitarian Leadership

• Engage with Oxfam International humanitarian networks and country offices to ensure high quality and principled program implementation
• Coordinate back-office scale-up during humanitarian responses in collaboration with HR, Finance, Logistics, Security and relevant confederation structures.
• Be available for secondment to humanitarian response programs when required.

4. External Representation & Networking

• Develop and maintain an (inter)national network of partners, academics, civil society actors, movements, and policymakers.
• Represent Oxfam Novib in relevant forums, media, and public panels.
• Strengthen collaboration within Oxfam Novib and across the wider Oxfam Confederation.

5. Operational & Financial Management

• Lead annual planning, budgeting, and reporting processes.
• Ensure financial oversight, audit readiness, and risk management (brand, financial, security, quality).
• Provide oversight and coaching to project management units (PMUs).
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and donor requirements.

6. People Management

• Lead and manage the SAFE Unit team in a line-management structure.
• Provide matrix management to staff working within SAFE programs.
• Ensure staff wellbeing, healthy workload, learning, and development.
• Foster a safe and brave organizational culture aligned with Oxfam’s values.
• Recruit, develop, and manage staff performance in line with policies and procedures.

What You Bring

Required Knowledge & Experience

• Thorough knowledge and understanding of conflict, peacebuilding, triple nexus approach and humanitarian aid.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills and at least 10 years of experience in humanitarian operations in complex conflict or disaster contexts, and a minimum 5 years of management experience, preferably in an international NGO context.
• Academic thinking and working experience in fields focused on humanitarian assistance, international relations, conflict studies and operational experience in crisis management either at an HQ of field office.
• Experience with resource mobilization and grant management, including but not limited to the following donors: ECHO, Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs DSH dept, UN and Dutch private foundations.

• Strong strategic, financial and project management skills in a development context. Experience working and delivering results in an international NGO environment, with multiple stakeholders and with a sound understanding of grant making for different kinds of civil society actors and of movement building.

• Experience and affinity with public speaking and media engagement, including leading on policy influencing and campaigning (including in The Netherlands) on SAFE Unit-relevant topics
• Proven track record with stakeholder management and external representation, e.g. conducting media interviews and participating in public panels.
• Affinity with the often quick-paced nature of humanitarian work and the required response, including quick decision-making and ability and flexibility to travel, including to remote areas.

• Proven commitment to feminist principles and shifting power to the Global South.

• Demonstrated success in leading teams in complex matrix organizations.
• Experience coordinating operational functions during humanitarian scale-up and emergency responses.

• Decisive and adaptable in fast-paced humanitarian environments.
• Excellent written and spoken Dutch and English. Additional languages (e.g. French) are an asset.

What We Offer

• A meaningful leadership role contributing to systemic change in fragile and crisis-affected contexts.
• A dynamic and international working environment within Oxfam Novib and the wider Oxfam Confederation.
• Competitive salary and benefits in line with NGO sector standards.
• Opportunities for professional development and international collaboration.

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 office in The Hague. We offer a one-year contract initially (with a 1-month trial period), with possibility of extension.
• Oxfam Novib offers an attractive and honest benefits package, including a year-end allowance and yearly pay increase according to our CLA. Moreover, we offer complementary options to choose from. The salary range for this position is set in scale 11 with a salary range between €4.215,- and €6.484,- gross based on 36 hours a week.
• We are currently working hybrid (50% in the office in The Hague and 50% at home).
• At Oxfam Novib we prioritize our team’s mental well-being. We make sure to demonstrate care for our colleagues, as an organization and at individual level. We also organize regular trainings and webinars related to many facets of mental and physical health, and offer access to free professional and confidential support for those who might need it, be it their personal or professional life.  Learn more.

Additional information

• Please send your resume and cover letter via our application portal.
• If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Mariska Bodewes-van Es, Corporate Recruiter, mariska.bodewes-vanes@oxfamnovib.nl
• Only applications received before the closing date 26th March 2026 and submitted via our application portal will be considered.
• This vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates, with priority given to internal applicants who are qualified or can develop quickly. We encourage growth and opportunities within our organization while warmly welcoming new talent with fresh ideas and expertise!
• Oxfam Novib seeks talented individuals who share our values and commitment to preventing misconduct. We maintain a strict policy against all forms of abuse, exploitation, power abuse, and financial misconduct. As part of a job offer, we request valid references, and candidates may undergo integrity screenings, including criminal record and financial background checks.
• Oxfam Novib reserves the right, at 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.
• Qualified candidates residing in the Netherlands or the EU/EEA, willing to relocate at their own expense, are encouraged to apply. Please note that Oxfam Novib cannot provide visa sponsorship.