Belgium: Regional Change Manager – Middle East & North Africa (MENA)

Oxfam International and its 17 affiliates worldwide have embarked on an ambitious ‘Vision2020’ strategic change process aiming at being part of a stronger, global movement for a values-driven society that treats people more equally and preserves the planet. Oxfam also needs to adapt to keep pace with the fast changing world around us. The location of power and poverty is shifting; power is growing the global ‘South’; aid flows are no longer about the North giving to the South and rapidly rising inequality across the world is a significant barrier to fighting poverty. Top level decisions have been made by senior management and the confederation is ready to move to into the next phase of implementation at country, regional and global levels. The changes are expected to have a profound impact on much of our work on the ground and globally, as well as on the way we organise ourselves, our structures, staff and relationships with other stakeholders.

In the MENA region, a Regional Transition Group (RTG) comprised of Oxfam affiliates in the region is coordinating the 2020 change process. The RTG works closely with Country Directors in the countries where Oxfam has programs in the region.

The Vision2020 change process requires change management capacity, both at country and regional
level. We are looking for an experienced and senior change manager who directly works with the RTG on regional level, and supports country change processes too.

Objective of the position

To help shape a stronger Oxfam in MENA the Regional Change Manager – in coordination with the RTG- will be responsible for defining, coordinating and implementing change management and support plans for the country- and regional teams within MENA.

The Regional Change Manager will report to the MENA RTG Chair, and when appointed, to the Oxfam Regional Director. The Regional Change Manager has a coordinating relationship with the OI 2020 change managers’ global team and works closely with the Countries Change Management Teams as well as affiliates implementing programs in the region.

Key responsibilities

 To define the change management component of the 2020 process in MENA, esp. regarding the provision of support to Oxfam leaders in the region. This includes: Methodological approach, objectives and results to be achieved, risks and recommendations to mitigate them, a communication plan.
 To support the RTG Chair in MENA in monitoring the global implementation of 2020 in the region:
o To have a global view of the changes to be implemented in the region as part of the process and to ensure that the changes agreed in the countries and at regional level are implemented with respect for agreed timelines, taking into account the interrelationship of the different elements (technology, systems, programme strategies) in the countries.
o Elaborate regular progress reports, systematizing experience, knowledge and learning from across the region about the change management.
 To evaluate and analyze achievements to redirect any change required in countries and region.Promote the changes in organizational culture accordingly to the 2020 vision, design and organizational changes.
 To coordinate specific actions of change management activities that different actors (affiliates, country change teams) will be implementing, to ensure they have a common approach and are in line with agreed plans.
 To act as a focal point for change management in MENA with other actors in Oxfam system (Human Resources, IT, systems, finances, regional teams of affiliates, the OI 2020 team) towards a three-pronged objective: to ensure that communication is carried out in an orderly way and contributes to the agreed plan, to ensure consistency in messages to teams, to act as a facilitator of relationships or coordination spaces.
 To ensure alignment with the Oxfam Human Resources Guidance for change and the global change management plan/approach defined for the 2020 process.
 To identify any needs the countries might have in order to make this change possible and to channel demands to regional and global level to obtain the necessary support, or provide that support directly to priority countries.
 To provide change management knowledge, theory, experience and good practices, especially with supporting teams.
 To carry out specific change management actions (facilitation, specific support training, etc…) with certain teams (determined on the basis of complexity and planned sequencing) with the aim of facilitating the implementation of the changes agreed in those countries and at regional level.

What are we looking for?

 You have extensive knowledge and experience of change management (principles, methodology, etc.), risk management and communication strategies.
 You have proven experience in implementing complex organisational change processes.
 You have experience in project management and implementation within deadlines: definition of action plan, monitoring, reporting, etc.
 You are people-oriented: a facilitator, mediator, team-builder, and you are able to put forward and find solutions and proposals for action.
 You are an active listener with strong interpersonal and communication skills. Have the ability to respond to cultural sensitivities.
 You have strong coordination skills and proven ability to work in matrix teams.
 You are able to manage multiple components of a project, at different speeds, but without losing the global vision, respecting pre-fixed results and deadlines.
 You have the ability to influence, you are capable to coordinate people with different roles in several countries, towards the objectives defined in the plan.
 You preferably have knowledge of the developmental and humanitarian context in the MENA region.
 You are committed to a rights based approach including an active commitment to putting women’s rights at the heart of all we do as well as the rights of other marginalized people in all aspects of an organization’s work.
 You have excellent professional working knowledge in English and French (both are needed)
 You are willing to travel frequently in the region and eventually to Oxfam HQs of the different affiliates working in the region
 Preferably Oxfam experience.

What can we offer you?

A competitive, fair and comprehensive pay according to the national salary scale country where
the position will be based.

If interested, please send your application before the 7th of February to the follow address:
jobs@oxfamsol.be with the subject title CHANGE MANAGER MENA

The closing date for applications is the 7 February 2016. Oxfam will contact short listed candidates prior to closing date and reserves the right to change this date, if considered necessary. Only short-listed
candidates will be contacted.

Oxfam is committed to the principle of equity, diversity and inclusiveness.