Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor
Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor. Oxfam International advertised a Strategic Communications Advisor position with Oxfam in Africa (OiA) for an experienced communications professional interested in advancing social justice, influencing public debate and strengthening the organisation’s voice across Africa and globally.
The position was designed for a communications specialist capable of supporting senior leadership, preparing high-level messaging, coordinating media engagements and translating complex policy issues into compelling narratives. The advertised role offered a two-year fixed-term contract, with the possibility of being based in Nairobi, Kenya, or another country where Oxfam has an office or presence, subject to employment arrangements and the right to work.
Important update: The advertised application deadline was 17 June 2026. The vacancy page now indicates that the position is no longer available. As of 29 October 2026, a new deadline or reopening of this specific vacancy has not been verified. The details below describe the original advertisement and should not be interpreted as confirmation that applications are currently open.
APPLICATION SUMMARY
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Organisation | Oxfam International |
| Team | Oxfam in Africa (OiA) |
| Position | Strategic Communications Advisor |
| Job category | Communications, media, advocacy and influencing |
| Duty station | Nairobi or another country with an Oxfam office or presence, subject to employment arrangements |
| Contract | Fixed term – two years |
| Working arrangement | Flexible working arrangements may be discussed |
| Salary | In line with Oxfam’s applicable pay range |
| Language requirements | English and French fluency essential; Portuguese an advantage |
| Advertised deadline | 17 June 2026 – passed |
| Current status | Advertised vacancy no longer available |
🌍 About Oxfam
Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor
Oxfam is an international confederation working with local communities, civil society organisations and other partners to address poverty and inequality. Its work includes humanitarian response, development programmes and campaigns for economic, gender and climate justice.
Oxfam in Africa works with partners across the continent to challenge inequality, promote gender equality, influence policy and support local civil society organisations. The Strategic Communications Advisor role was intended to strengthen this work by ensuring that the Director’s public engagements and communications supported the organisation’s wider advocacy and influencing priorities.
For candidates interested in international development, public affairs, media relations and policy advocacy, this type of position offers an opportunity to connect communications expertise with social impact.
💼 About the Strategic Communications Advisor role
The advertised role focused on supporting the Oxfam in Africa Director’s external engagement and amplifying Oxfam’s voice across Africa and internationally.
The successful candidate would work closely with the Director, the Senior Leadership Team, media and communications colleagues, and partners across the wider Oxfam confederation.
The position was not simply a general communications or social media role. It required a professional who could connect organisational strategy, advocacy objectives, leadership visibility and public messaging.
Key areas of work included:
- Planning and delivering strategic communications for senior leadership engagements.
- Supporting the Director’s participation in high-level summits, public events and media appearances.
- Preparing compelling messages for important policy and development discussions.
- Coordinating communications planning and execution with colleagues and partners.
- Identifying opportunities to increase Oxfam’s visibility and influence.
- Ensuring that public communications aligned with the organisation’s advocacy priorities and values.
The role reported directly to the Oxfam in Africa Director, with a dotted reporting line to the Media and Communications Lead.
🌟 Contract, salary and working arrangements
The original vacancy advertised the following employment conditions.
Two-year fixed-term contract
The position was advertised as a full-time, fixed-term role lasting two years. This could appeal to communications professionals seeking substantial responsibility within an international development organisation.
Salary and compensation
Oxfam stated that the salary would be in line with its applicable pay range. The advertisement did not provide a specific salary figure, so applicants should not assume a particular monthly or annual amount.
The organisation also referred to a fair compensation package based on a 36-hour working week.
Flexible working arrangements
Oxfam indicated that it was open to discussing working arrangements. However, this should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the position could be performed from any country without restrictions.
The advertisement stated that employment would depend on the ability to establish a contract directly or through a hosting affiliate. Candidates needed to have, and retain, the legal right to work in the country where they were based. Oxfam also stated that it could not guarantee work permits or support relocation for this position.
Professional development
The role offered the opportunity to work with senior leadership and communications professionals on high-profile advocacy and influencing activities. This experience could be valuable for professionals seeking to strengthen their expertise in strategic communications, international development and public affairs.
Specific benefits beyond those stated in the vacancy should be confirmed directly with Oxfam.
🎓 Eligibility and professional requirements
Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor
The advertisement emphasised professional experience, strong communication skills and the ability to engage with senior stakeholders. It did not establish a specific academic degree requirement in the available job description, so applicants should consult the full vacancy documentation if the role is advertised again.
1. Strong strategic communications experience
Candidates were expected to have a substantial track record in communications, media engagement, public engagement and strategic influencing.
This was a senior-level advisory position. Applicants would need to demonstrate how their previous work helped an organisation communicate its priorities, influence audiences or strengthen its public profile.
2. Excellent writing and editorial skills
The successful candidate needed to communicate complex policy issues clearly and persuasively.
Relevant experience could include preparing speeches, briefing notes, talking points, opinion articles, media materials or other communications for senior leaders. These examples illustrate relevant skills; they are not a confirmed exhaustive list of the vacancy’s duties.
3. Media and public engagement experience
The role required an understanding of media engagement and public-facing communications. Candidates needed to be comfortable supporting high-profile engagements and ensuring that messages were coherent, timely and aligned with organisational objectives.
4. Stakeholder relationship management
Applicants were expected to build effective relationships and engage confidently with senior stakeholders, including representatives of:
- Governments.
- International institutions.
- Civil society organisations.
- Development and international partners.
- Media and communications teams.
The ability to work collaboratively across different organisations and professional backgrounds was important.
5. Strategic thinking and organisation
The position required someone who could identify opportunities to increase Oxfam’s influence and manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Strong attention to detail, sound judgement and the ability to coordinate several activities at once would be valuable.
6. Commitment to social justice and equality
Oxfam was looking for a candidate whose values aligned with its mission, including a commitment to social justice and gender equality.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate how their professional work supports ethical communications, equality, inclusion or positive social change.
7. Language requirements
Fluency in English and French was essential. Portuguese was identified as an advantage.
Candidates who do not meet the essential language requirement should not assume that Portuguese or another language can substitute for French.
🌍 Where could the successful candidate be based?
The original advertisement listed Nairobi, Kenya, or another country where Oxfam had an office or presence, subject to the organisation’s ability to establish an appropriate employment contract.
This did not mean the position was automatically open to applicants living anywhere in the world.
Candidates needed to have legal permission to work in their country of residence. Oxfam stated that it could not guarantee the provision of a work permit or support relocation for the role.
Applicants based outside Kenya would therefore need to confirm whether their country was eligible for employment under Oxfam’s arrangements.
👤 Who would be a strong candidate?
Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor
The position was particularly relevant to experienced professionals working in areas such as:
- Strategic communications and public affairs.
- Media relations and public engagement.
- Advocacy and policy influencing.
- Communications for international development organisations.
- Executive communications and leadership visibility.
- Campaign communications and social justice initiatives.
- Stakeholder engagement with governments and international institutions.
A strong applicant would be able to show concrete examples of communications work, explain the results achieved and demonstrate the ability to advise senior leaders.
For example, experience developing a communications strategy for an advocacy campaign, preparing a senior executive for a major public event or coordinating media engagement around a policy issue could help demonstrate relevant expertise.
These are illustrative examples of potentially relevant experience, not additional official eligibility requirements.
📝 How to apply
Applications for the advertised vacancy are no longer available according to the vacancy page. The following steps are intended for anyone checking the original listing or preparing for a future reopening or similar Oxfam position.
Step 1: Check the original vacancy
Review the original Strategic Communications Advisor advertisement to confirm the published requirements and current status.
Step 2: Visit Oxfam’s careers website
Check Oxfam’s official careers pages for new communications, media, advocacy or influencing vacancies.
Step 3: Review the requirements carefully
If a new advertisement appears, check the closing date, required experience, language requirements, eligible countries and employment arrangements before preparing an application.
Do not rely on an old vacancy description if a new version has been published.
Step 4: Prepare a tailored CV
A CV for a strategic communications role should highlight relevant professional achievements rather than simply list previous responsibilities.
Where possible, include evidence of:
- Communications strategies developed or implemented.
- Media and public engagement activities coordinated.
- Speeches, briefings or editorial materials prepared.
- Senior stakeholders advised or supported.
- Advocacy campaigns or policy communications delivered.
- Measurable results, such as audience reach, media coverage or successful engagement outcomes.
Only include achievements that accurately reflect your experience.
Step 5: Prepare a targeted application statement
If the future vacancy requests a cover letter or supporting statement, explain why your communications background fits the role and how your work aligns with Oxfam’s mission.
Use specific examples to demonstrate strategic thinking, editorial judgement, relationship management and the ability to communicate complex issues clearly.
Step 6: Submit through the specified channel
Follow the instructions in the current official advertisement. Ensure all required information and documents are submitted before the new deadline.
The application method and documents required for any future reopening must be confirmed from that specific vacancy.
📄 Documents to prepare
Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor
The expired advertisement does not provide a confirmed checklist of all required application documents in the information reviewed. For a future vacancy, follow the employer’s exact instructions.
In the meantime, candidates may find it useful to prepare:
- An up-to-date professional CV.
- A tailored cover letter or supporting statement, if requested.
- Examples of relevant communications work, where permitted and appropriate.
- Contact details for professional referees, if requested.
- Evidence of language proficiency, if requested.
- Relevant qualifications or employment information requested by the employer.
Do not send sensitive documents or personal information to unofficial recruiters or unverified email addresses.
🏆 Tips for preparing for similar Oxfam roles
Demonstrate strategic impact
Explain how your communications work supported organisational priorities, influenced an audience or strengthened public engagement. Avoid relying only on generic claims such as being a good communicator.
Show strong writing ability
Use clear, concise and persuasive language in your application. For communications positions, the application itself can help demonstrate your editorial judgement.
Highlight senior-level engagement
Where relevant, describe your experience preparing leaders for public appearances, coordinating media engagements or working with senior stakeholders.
Connect your experience to advocacy
Show how you have communicated complex social, economic, humanitarian or policy issues to different audiences. Explain the purpose of the work and the outcome.
Provide evidence of collaboration
Give examples of working with programme teams, media professionals, partners or external stakeholders to deliver a coordinated communications approach.
Demonstrate alignment with Oxfam’s values
Explain how your professional experience reflects a commitment to equality, inclusion, accountability and social justice. Use genuine examples rather than simply repeating organisational language.
🔍 Recruitment and selection process
The available advertisement stated that only shortlisted candidates would be contacted, usually within approximately two weeks of the closing date.
It also noted that employment offers would be subject to satisfactory references and could involve appropriate screening checks. Oxfam described safeguarding and the prevention of exploitation, abuse, harassment and financial misconduct as important parts of its recruitment standards.
The exact assessment stages for this particular role were not confirmed in the information reviewed. Candidates considering future vacancies should follow the process described in the relevant advertisement and any subsequent communications from Oxfam.
⚠️ Important things to know
1. The deadline has passed. The original deadline was 17 June 2026. The vacancy page indicates that the position is no longer available.
2. Do not assume the position is currently remote or globally open. Although the advertisement allowed for possible locations beyond Nairobi, employment depended on Oxfam’s presence and ability to establish a contract in the candidate’s location.
3. Work authorisation was the applicant’s responsibility. Oxfam stated that it could not guarantee a work permit or support relocation for the position.
4. The salary was not published as a specific figure. The advertisement referred to Oxfam’s applicable pay range. Any exact salary estimate should be treated cautiously unless confirmed by the organisation.
5. Beware of recruitment scams. Use Oxfam’s official website and the links in verified vacancy advertisements. Do not pay someone who promises to secure a job or interview.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor
1. Is Oxfam hiring a Strategic Communications Advisor right now?
The specific vacancy reviewed is no longer available, and its advertised deadline of 17 June 2026 has passed. A new opening for the same position has not been verified as of 29 October 2026. Check Oxfam’s careers website for current vacancies.
2. Where was the Strategic Communications Advisor position based?
The advertisement listed Nairobi, Kenya, or another country where Oxfam had an office or presence, subject to employment arrangements and the candidate’s legal right to work there.
3. How long was the contract?
The original position was advertised as a two-year fixed-term contract.
4. What salary did Oxfam offer?
The advertisement stated that compensation would be in line with Oxfam’s pay range. It did not publish a specific salary amount in the information reviewed.
5. Were English and French required?
Yes. The advertisement identified fluency in English and French as essential. Portuguese was an advantage.
6. Could applicants work remotely?
The advertisement referred to flexible working arrangements and potential locations beyond Nairobi. However, it did not guarantee unrestricted remote work from any country. Employment depended on the ability to establish a contract and the candidate’s legal right to work in the relevant location.
7. Could applicants from Zimbabwe apply?
The advertisement did not provide a definitive country-by-country eligibility list. It allowed consideration of candidates in countries where Oxfam had an office or presence, subject to employment arrangements and work authorisation. Applicants based in Zimbabwe would need to confirm eligibility directly with Oxfam if a similar vacancy becomes available.
8. What experience was required?
Oxfam sought a highly experienced communications professional with a strong track record in media, public engagement and strategic influencing, alongside excellent writing, editorial and stakeholder-management skills.
9. What would the successful candidate do?
The adviser would support the Oxfam in Africa Director’s external engagement, plan and deliver strategic communications, coordinate messaging around high-level engagements and help strengthen Oxfam’s influence across Africa and globally.
10. Where can I find other Oxfam vacancies?
Visit the official Oxfam careers website. For opportunities across the wider Oxfam confederation, consult links from Oxfam’s official website.
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🚀 Final thoughts
Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor
The Oxfam Strategic Communications Advisor position was an opportunity for an experienced communications professional to support leadership engagement and advance advocacy priorities across Africa and globally. The role called for strong editorial skills, media experience, strategic thinking, stakeholder relationships and a clear commitment to social justice and gender equality.
However, the advertised deadline has passed, and the specific vacancy is no longer available. Interested candidates should use Oxfam’s official careers channels to look for newly advertised or similar positions rather than relying on the expired application listing.
Vacancy Bridge shares information about jobs and other opportunities to help readers discover relevant openings. It is an independent information platform and is not the hiring organisation or affiliated with Oxfam. Always verify vacancy status and application instructions with the official employer before applying.
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