PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The Senior Policy Advisor for Global Economic Change will shape and support Oxfam’s policy and narrative change efforts to tackle inequality within and between countries internationally – helping to advance, and holding responsibilities as part of, a strategic, fast-paced, and wide-ranging portfolio. The Senior Policy Advisor will work on two major areas: first is to collaborate with others on global post-neoliberalism thinking; second is to help drive Oxfam’s thinking and narrative change on public goods that reduce inequality. Both stem from a new program on global economic thinking. They will do so by thinking strategically, preparing compelling analysis, providing organizational expertise, engaging policymakers and influentials, monitoring inequality trends, and collaborating with colleagues at Oxfam America, the wider Oxfam Confederation, and external allies.

While the Senior Policy Advisor will engage in a range of inequality issues, specific experience with issues of public goods and services is an advantage.

COORDINATES WITH

• Primarily working with teams across Oxfam America (OUS) Advocacy, Alliances and Policy Division, and with Oxfam International colleagues, especially those engaged on public goods and services and strategic policy areas. This role will also work with OUS Media and Digital teams in the Public Engagement Division.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• The Senior Policy Advisor will focus on supporting and shaping two areas: the first is providing policy expertise and guidance for a newly initiated program of work on global post-neoliberal economic thinking. This will involve collaborating strategically with others at Oxfam on a variety of issues that they work on (e.g. international financial architecture; intellectual property and trade rules; and more); on macro-level questions on post-neoliberalism; and driving policy engagement around convenings.
• The second is to advance an ambitious agenda in support of public goods and services. This will entail leading work that drives narrative change and supports policy change on universal public goods, public options and public services (e.g. relating to industrial policy, healthcare, energy, transport, and the challenges of private finance) necessary to reducing inequality and fulfilling human rights. To achieve this, it will require undertaking certain activities including:
• Analysis: Prepare and support the drafting of papers and other materials that analyze core issues as noted above, driving fresh and persuasive analysis relevant to tackling inequality within and between countries, and intersecting with climate, economic, gender and racial justice.
• Narrative change: Conceive and deliver strategic work to drive public narrative change on core issues as noted above, including public goods and services. Translate complex economic ideas into eye-catching and accessible messaging.
• Policy change: Support and foster engagement with influential figures, coalition spaces and, where appropriate, policymakers to help secure policy outcomes to combat inequality. Expected to engage issues on public goods and services as an in-house expert and help advance strategic policy change – this will be in international and country-level contexts.
• Synthesize activity around convenings: Engaging convenings that Oxfam is holding on post-neoliberal thinking to place analysis and papers, and holding the responsibility for reporting on them as a rapporteur, including supporting the generation of public materials.
• Relationships: In coordination with other Oxfam colleagues and as appropriate for responsibilities, develop and maintain relationships with external partners and colleagues, collaborate with the same to advance shared goals, and represent Oxfam America with external audiences as necessary.
• Intersectionality: Support and shape Oxfam America’s thinking on economic and racial inequality, ensuring an intersectional approach inclusive of racial and gender justice, and decoloniality.
• Monitoring and forecasting: Keep a pulse on the political and economic landscape pertaining to global post-neoliberalism and on public goods and services, and international and regional spaces relevant to them.
• Internal collaboration: Work with teams across the Oxfam confederation to shape strategic planning regarding economic inequality in the US and in international contexts, particularly on the core areas above. Provide expert review to Oxfam’s work on economic justice and inequality.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS

• Will serve as a specialist within the organization on relevant issues areas, stay abreast of professional standards, trends, and issues affecting this set of responsibilities, and demonstrate continuous learning.
• Will develop work plan in collaboration with the Economic & Racial Justice Department, work independently and effectively to meet goals, and effectively manage internal and external communications.
• Will work effectively and collaboratively in support of building a team-based, problem-solving work culture, treating all persons with dignity and respect, and will be familiar with and committed to Oxfam America’s mission, values and goals.
• Will have a fundamental understanding of gender justice and diversity within key areas of responsibility and a commitment to promoting gender justice, racial equity, and diversity in our workplace and programs.
• Within key areas of responsibility, will have a commitment to and be accountable for activities contributing towards a safe and accountable workplace environment, projects and relationships for staff, partners, and the communities we serve.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Advanced degree in economics, international relations, public policy, or related field, or equivalent combination of education, experience, and training.

EXPERIENCE AND CORE COMPETENCIES

• At least 4-6 years of experience working on inequality-related or economic justice issues.
• Relevant experience undertaking policy advocacy and understanding of inequality-related policies.
• Fluency in English
• Demonstrable passion for, and track record in the service of: economic justice, including an understanding of relevant global historical and social contexts
• Strong research and analytical skills relevant to public policy, including demonstrable experience undertaking analysis of inequality issues.
• Experience of issues relating to public goods and services, financialization and / or privatization – preferably at national, regional, and international levels.
• Experience of engaging policy-making processes relating to inequality and / or public goods and services – preferably at national, regional, and international levels.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate complex economic justice or inequality-related analysis in a compelling, actionable manner for a variety of audiences.
• Flexible and adaptive work style, comfortable switching between inequality issues and contexts.
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills; ability to prioritize workload and multi-task.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in a dynamic, complex, and multicultural team, providing support to colleagues and contributing to a positive and inclusive work culture.
• Excellent oral communication skills and demonstrated ability to write effectively to a professional standard.
• Experience in integrating economic, racial and gender inequality issues into research and analysis.
• Creative and strategic thinker, able to advance ambitious economic justice-related policies and ideas.
• Experience engaging effectively and respectfully with diverse groups of partners and coalitions in pursuit of shared goals.