Engagement and Organizing Advisor at Oxfam America in Chicago, IL

Oxfam is a global organization that fights inequality to end poverty and injustice. We offer lifesaving support in times of crisis and advocate for economic justice, gender equality, and climate action. We demand equal rights and equal treatment so that everyone can thrive, not just survive.

COORDINTES WITH

The Public Engagement (PE) division works with staff, including directors and managers across Digital Marketing and Supporter Engagement, Brand and Engagement, Design and Content, Senior Leadership Team, Executive Office, Policy and Practice, and Impact Resource Development teams, as well as communications and organizing professionals from across the Oxfam International confederation.

This position will work primarily with the Volunteer Engagement Advisor, Campaign Leads, Resource Development, Public Engagement colleagues, Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors, external allies and partners, digital, communications, and policy teams.

PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

Oxfam America is seeking an energetic organizer to join the Brand and Engagement team in a new hybrid role that combines volunteer engagement, organizing and brand building. The Engagement & Organizing Advisor will support efforts to build, sustain, and activate members of the Oxfam Action Network for an Equal Future and other supporters through in-person activations, volunteer leadership development, and advocacy to external stakeholders on issues that drive inequality. This role will focus on developing the Oxfam Action Network, in collaboration with the team, in specific priority markets that will continue to change and develop as the program scales. We will prioritize candidates in the following priority markets: Austin, TX; Chicago, IL; Los Angeles, CA; Philadelphia, PA, and the San Francisco Bay Area, CA.

This position is a core member of the Brand & Engagement team that leads Oxfam’s work to recruit new supporters, nurture leadership, and deepen supporter involvement in Oxfam’s mission to fight inequality to end poverty and injustice. Under the direction of the Senior Manager, the Engagement & Organizing Advisor will implement plans and tactics that mobilize new and existing supporters, including national influential supporters, allies, and volunteers—who are passionate about confronting inequality locally and globally. With support and direction from the senior manager, this role will focus on creating an engaged network of supporters to take action in support of Oxfam's work on issues including economic justice and humanitarian crisis around the world. The ideal candidate is a convener and community-builder who brings creative tactics, a deep understanding of organizing, advocacy, and a strong commitment to anti-racist and feminist principles.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

As a key member of Oxfam’s priority campaigns, this role will create both digital and in-person engagement plans and tools to grow support for Oxfam, while helping supporters build and strengthen their own networks and directly influence external stakeholders.

Organizing and Mobilization
•In collaboration with Senior Manager, Organizing and Influencing, execute organizing plans that drive public engagement across advocacy and brand campaigns.
•Plan at least 3 major public-facing events and/or physical activations per year (e.g., stunts, rallies, festivals, town halls) to recruit and cultivate new Action Network members and supporters in coordination with Campaign and Brand and Engagement teams.

•In coordination with the Senior Manager and the Volunteer Engagement Advisor, identify, recruit, and support a diverse cohort of volunteers and Action Network members in strategic markets to represent Oxfam and mobilize local actions.
•Implement strategies that link local organizing efforts with national narrative, brand, and advocacy goals.
•Build relationships with and facilitate in person engagement with influential supporters, strategic allies—Oxfam supporters such as Sisters on the Planet Ambassadors, ally organizations, and corporate & policymaker targets, as needed
Volunteer Engagement and Development
•Design and deliver training materials, digital content, and educational tools to support Action Network members and other volunteers.

•Facilitate online and offline spaces where Action Network Members and other volunteers can collaborate, share stories, and grow together.
•Ensure that Action Network members and volunteers are trained in and adhere to Oxfam’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding Policies.
•Support peer-to-peer learning and a culture of joy, inclusion, and shared purpose among volunteers.
Cross-Team Integration and Supporter Experience
•Collaborate closely with Campaigns, Public Engagement, and Resource Development teams to ensure an integrated and consistent supporter journey.

•Support volunteer participation in fundraising campaigns, digital engagement efforts, and brand-building moments.
•Use CRM and digital organizing tools to track engagement and analyze organizing and volunteer data to improve targeting and retention.
Content and Community Activation
•Co-create digital and in-person campaign toolkits and engagement content aligned with advocacy goals and narrative plans.
•Provide input and insight into messaging, audience insights, and campaign framing based on interactions with volunteer communities.
•Serve as an external representative of Oxfam in community organizing spaces, conferences, and ally coalitions.

POSITION EXPECTATIONS

•Demonstrates Continuous Learning: Stays current with emerging organizing trends, digital engagement strategies, and supporter experience practices. Applies learning to improve campaign outcomes and volunteer engagement.
•Builds Collaborative Relationships: Works effectively across functions and teams to support a unified, team-based work culture. Treats all people with dignity and respect and builds inclusive organizing communities.
•Commits to Equity and Inclusion: Applies a working knowledge of gender justice, racial equity, and inclusive practices in all aspects of organizing and volunteer development. Contributes to Oxfam’s mission to center equity in public engagement and leadership.
•Promotes a Safe and Respectful Environment: Upholds Oxfam’s safeguarding policies and Code of Conduct. Ensures volunteers and staff experience a culture of safety, mutual respect, and accountability.

•Supports Strategic Public Engagement: Helps advance campaign and brand priorities through grassroots mobilization, volunteer leadership development, and strategic community activation.
•Travel and Availability: Willing to travel domestically up to 30% of the time. Occasional evening and weekend work is required.

EDUCATION

·Certifications in related field(s), Associate’s degree, some studies in pursuit of Bachelor’s degree, or a combination of work education, and experience.

EXPERIENCE AND CORE COMPETENCIES

•3–5 years of experience in community organizing, volunteer coordination, or supporter engagement, particularly around social justice, advocacy, or policy change.
•Demonstrated success in identifying, recruiting and supporting volunteer advocates to organize & mobilize others
•Experience planning and executing public action, campaign, or brand activations.
•Proficiency in digital tools for engagement (e.g. Salesforce, HubSpot, Goodkind, Mobile Commons, Microsoft suite, email/SMS tools, etc.).
•Excellent interpersonal, writing, and facilitation skills.

•Strong organizational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
•Creativity and the ability to find creative approaches to generate attention that reaches and appeals to different audiences.
•Commitment to applying feminist principles and anti-racist approaches in organizing work; including actively identifying and addressing injustices that we may be perpetuating.
•Ability to represent Oxfam in a variety of settings and with diverse audiences
•Good judgment, initiative and ability to anticipate problems and follow through with confidence.
•Ability to work independently and as part of a cross-functional remote team.

PREFERRRED QUALIFICATIONS

·Bilingual (especially in Spanish or French).
·Experience working in nonprofit, activist, or campaign settings.
·Familiarity with Oxfam's issue areas (climate justice, gender justice, economic and racial justice, or humanitarian response) or previous volunteer experience with justice-oriented organizations.

Oxfam America is a Gender Just organization and an equal opportunity employer. We welcome all qualified applicants and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. We provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities upon request.

Safeguarding & Conduct
Oxfam America is committed to providing a safe, respectful, and inclusive workplace for all. We have zero tolerance for any form of sexual exploitation, abuse, harassment, discrimination, or misconduct. All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory references and appropriate pre‑employment checks in line with Oxfam America’s Safeguarding Policy. As a participant in the Inter‑Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), we may request information from previous employers regarding findings or investigations related to SEAH‑related misconduct.

Recruitment Fraud Warning
Oxfam America never requests payment, bank information, or personal financial details from candidates at any stage of the recruitment process.

E‑Verify
We are an E‑Verify employer.

For more information:

• E-Verify Participation Poster: English / Spanish
• E-Verify Right to Work Poster: English | Spanish