Partnerships Finance & Operations Lead

Te Pae Tawhiti: A just, inclusive and sustainable world for everyone, now and for future generations. 

Partnerships Finance & Operations Lead

• Lead financial management of complex multi-country humanitarian and development programmes.


• Travel internationally to support in-country teams and strengthen partner capability.


• Safeguard donor confidence through strong financial oversight, compliance, and risk management.

About us:

Oxfam Aotearoa is a for-purpose organisation, connected to a worldwide Oxfam movement, that challenges the global inequalities that push people into poverty and injustice. We welcome you to work with us in challenging, transforming and changing the global threats that face us all – climate destruction, gender injustice, and economic injustice.

Job Purpose:

The Partnerships Finance & Operations Lead is responsible for providing financial leadership and oversight across all institutional and publicly funded programmes within the Partnerships and Humanitarian Team, including complex multi-country and multi‑year initiatives. The role ensures strong financial management, operational effectiveness, partner and contractor compliance, risk mitigation, and long‑term financial sustainability. It focuses on maintaining robust financial systems and controls while supporting procurement, contracting, and operational processes that align with compliance requirements and strengthen programme delivery.

A central aspect of the role is building sustainable financial and organisational capacity within civil society partners and in‑country teams. Rather than centralising control, the position promotes partner‑led financial management by strengthening systems, governance, and accountability, enabling greater autonomy and confidence over time. Through this approach, the role helps safeguard donor confidence, reinforce partner institutions, and ensure financial structures actively support localisation, equity, and sustainable impact.

About the role:

• Provides overall financial leadership, setting standards for budgeting, forecasting, reporting, audits, and donor compliance across multi-country programmes.


• Ensures accurate, timely donor reporting and acts as the escalation point for complex financial, compliance, and risk issues.


• Leads financial risk assessments, audit oversight, and drives continuous improvement through learning and accountability.


• Strengthens partner financial capacity in line with localisation goals, ensuring development is partner-led, context-specific, and focused on long-term sustainability.


• Oversees in-country finance support, enabling partners to grow towards financial autonomy through tailored assurance and guidance.


• Promotes clear communication of financial requirements to build confidence, ownership, and learning among partners.


• Leads the development and improvement of financial systems, tools, and frameworks while ensuring consistency and flexibility across countries.


• Provides financial analysis, dashboards, and second-line assurance to support leadership decision-making and programme effectiveness.


• Ensures financial architecture is fit-for-purpose for a complex, multi-country operating model.


• Oversees key operational systems with financial risk implications, including procurement, contracting, asset management, and fraud controls.


• Clarifies operational responsibilities, avoiding unnecessary centralisation and strengthening in-country delivery systems.


• Leads and develops a high-performing finance team, setting expectations, building capability, and fostering a culture of accountability, learning, and continuous improvement.

Personal attributes

• Values driven leadership style, grounded in respect, humility, and a commitment to equity and social justice.


• Excellent communicator, able to translate complex financial and operational concepts into practical, accessible guidance for non-technical colleagues and partners.


• Collaborative and relationship centred, able to build trust across diverse cultural contexts, remote teams, and multi stakeholder partnerships.


• Adaptable and solutions focused, comfortable operating in complex and evolving environments with multiple constraints.


• Strong judgement and integrity, with a commitment to safeguarding, ethical financial management, and transparent decision making.


• Capacity builder at heart—patient, encouraging, and invested in developing others rather than “doing for” them.


• Culturally grounded, demonstrating sensitivity, respect, and awareness in all engagements with Maori, Pacific and ASEAN partners and communities.


• Organised and detail oriented, able to manage competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of accuracy and accountability.

See full job description here: https://www.oxfam.org.nz/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Partnerships-Finance-and-Operations-Lead-JD-May-2026_2.pdf

Fixed-Term for a 12-month period with probable extension to 24-Months 

This job is packed full of purpose and meaning. Oxfam Aotearoa value our commitment to Te Tiriti o Waitangi and Te Ao Māori. Our kaupapa (ways of working) celebrates diversity and welcomes those who know what it means to challenge injustice.  Those from the Pacific Diaspora based in Aotearoa New Zealand are particularly encouraged as we work across the Pacific. The role is based at our main office in central Tāmaki Makarau Auckland. The post attracts a starting salary of $91,923 per annum (dependent on experience).  

Apply now:

Applications closing date: Please apply with a cover letter stating why you want to work for Oxfam and what skills you can bring that are relevant to the role, along with your CV by no later than 29 May 2026. If this role connects with you, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we will be reviewing applications regularly.

Note: Only candidates currently living in NZ with the right to work in New Zealand need apply. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and will be subject to additional screening checks, which will include request of criminal record.

We are committed to preventing and challenging any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, bullying, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, lack of integrity and financial misconduct. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through honouring our Code of Conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that we recruit only those who share and demonstrate our values. 

Oxfam Aotearoa values inclusion and welcomes diversity in the workplace. 

In our workplace, we are committed to creating a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We strive to celebrate and value the unique perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences of all our team members, and we actively work to foster a safe and welcoming environment where everyone can thrive.