Head of Quality and Impact

• Permanent Full Time
• Hours per week: 35 hours
• Location: Melbourne
• Applications close date: 17th May 2026

About Us 
At Oxfam Australia, we believe all lives are equal and no-one should live in poverty. We are a member of Oxfam International, a global confederation working with partners and local communities in 76 countries.

Would you like to join this global movement of people working together to eliminate the inequalities that keep people in poverty?

We are currently seeking a Head of Quality and Impact to join our team.
The Role 
Reporting to the Executive Lead of International Programs, The Head of Quality and Impact delivers a holistic perspective to leadership whilst driving transformation in support of Oxfam Australia’s commitment to excellence in quality program design, delivery and impact.

Oxfam Australia is looking for a bold, values driven leader to step into a pivotal role at the heart of our international programs. This role leads a team of technical experts responsible for Business Development, Safeguarding, Gender Equity, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) and Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and Impact streams.

This is a senior leadership role for someone who thrives at the intersection of strategy, technical excellence, thematic engagement and people leadership, and who is motivated by equality, empowerment and accountability.
Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic direction and integrate technical oversight of program quality, whilst overseeing the design and implementation of systems and frameworks that ensure quality and compliant programs
• Oversee the business development function of international programs, steering the development of OAU’s Funding Strategy with ambition of growth and institutional income diversification, all through a locally led model.
• Bring inclusive, values driven leadership and strong cross cultural communication, collaboration and strategic influence to advance gender equality, uphold safeguarding standards, and represent the organisation with integrity in diverse contexts.
• Strengthen quality, learning and impact alignment across teams whilst leading organisation-wide efforts to embed program quality, accountability, and effectiveness standards across OAU’s international and first people’s programs
• Proactively identify and address emerging gaps or priorities needed to support program quality by developing strategies and identifying resources to support partners in close collaboration with International Programs teams.

 A little about you

• Proven senior-level expertise in international development and humanitarian program design and delivery, ideally within a values-driven not-for-profit environment.
• In-depth understanding of program quality and compliance frameworks, particularly DFAT accreditation and ACFID Code of Conduct, including a solid understanding of safeguarding standards, and a proven ability to provide leadership in program quality, learning, impact and effectiveness.
• Demonstrated high level communication and facilitation skills, along with significant strategic and advisory capability to shape organisational frameworks, partnership approaches, culture, and practice.
• Proven stakeholder engagement, networking, and partnership-building skills, with the ability to work effectively across internal and external actors.
• Significant team leadership experience, inclusive, feminist, values-driven leadership style, with an ability to lead and support a high functioning multi-disciplinary team of technical specialists, enabling a growth mindset and collaborative work approach
• Relevant tertiary qualifications in international development, social sciences, public policy, evaluation or a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

How to Apply 

Complete the online application form, then, as three separate documents, upload:

1. A cover letter that tells us why you want to join Oxfam Australia, and how your professional history and lived experience make you the right candidate.
2. Your CV.
3. Your response to the key selection criteria outlined in the advertisement.

Here is the link to the Position Description

What we can offer you 

• Superior leave benefits and access to a generous not-for-profit salary packaging program (up to $18,450 of your salary tax-free).

• The opportunity to use your talents and expertise to make a positive impact around the world.

• We value flexibility and seek to support our people in ways that meet their work/life commitments and support their wellbeing.

• Cultural leave

• Superannuation matching

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Our culture is shaped by our values, which reinforce what we care about and how we do things, not just what we do. Our core values of Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability and Courage drive everything we do at Oxfam.

Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work, including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. We are committed to promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. Therefore, our people are required to comply with the One Oxfam Child Safeguarding and Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse policies and sign the Oxfam Australia Child Safeguarding and One Oxfam Employee Codes of Conduct.

Our people are at the heart of everything we do. We care deeply about creating a safe and inclusive workplace where our people feel valued, respected and empowered. We are committed to providing equal opportunities and encourage applicants with personal experience of the forms of injustice we seek to address to apply for opportunities at Oxfam Australia.

Australian work rights 

Applicants will be required to show proof of their right to work in Australia the subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, which include Police Checks and Misconduct Disclosure Scheme outcomes, before commencement. Pre-employment checks are not used by Oxfam Australia to prevent any applicant from applying for this position. Each application will be considered on its merits.

Oxfam Australia will not recruit international candidates who do not hold visas permitting them to work in Australia. Oxfam Australia does not provide visa sponsorship.

Additional information 

For ongoing roles, candidates will be required to have a minimum of 2 years’ Australian work rights from the date of commencement of their employment with Oxfam Australia. For fixed-term roles, candidates will be required to have work rights for the full duration of the contract.

At Oxfam Australia, we are committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable culture where everyone’s rights are recognised and respected. Guided by feminist principles and core values, we embrace different perspectives and work to eliminate systemic inequities that perpetuate discrimination. We centre and amplify the voices of people with lived experience and work in solidarity to build a future where no one is left behind.

Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is reflected in our actions, Oxfam Australia:

• Supports employee-led committees

• Promotes consultative ways of working and decision making

• Maintains a comprehensive enterprise agreement that prioritises employee well-being, as demonstrated through multiple leave types

• Provides ongoing awareness and training on unconscious bias, inclusion, and respectful workplace practices, ensuring alignment with Oxfam’s values

• Ensures a fair and accessible recruitment process