Deputy Bookshop Manager (Thame)

Oxfam is a global movement of people working together to end the injustice of poverty. That means we tackle the inequality that keeps people poor. Together we save, protect and rebuild lives. When disaster strikes, we help people build better lives for themselves, and for others. We take on issues like land rights, climate change and discrimination against women. And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can enjoy life free from poverty.

Oxfam GB is a member of an international confederation of 21 organisations working together with partners and local communities in the areas of humanitarian, development and campaigning, in more than 90 countries.

Oxfam Purpose To work with others to overcome poverty and suffering.

Trading Purpose To make as much money as possible to overcome poverty and suffering.

About our Oxfam Shops Open for business since 1948, Oxfam shops are at the heart of the charity and their community, raising vital funds and increasing public awareness of what we do. They are always guided by our values of empowerment, accountability and inclusiveness and focused on making as much money as possible.

The Role of our Deputy Shop Managers Commercially aware and constantly looking for new business opportunities, deputy shop managers motivate their teams and create a safe and energised work environment. They have high standards, a strong drive to achieve results and are accountable for their business. The role of the deputy shop manager is empowered, varied, busy and gives the opportunity to work with some amazing people. Shop managers are pivotal for the success of our business and can make a real difference.

Oxfam operates a volunteer operating model, in which volunteers are empowered to take over most of the tasks within the shop, including running the shop in the manager’s absence. Often the only paid member of staff, our managers and deputy managers are comfortable in this environment, really enjoy working with others and are great at delegating to their teams. Excellent communicators, they are creative, and always look for opportunities to attract new supporters every day.

Our Values and Commitment to Safeguarding Oxfam is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. Oxfam expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us. We are committed to ensuring diversity and gender equality within our organisation and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

Key Skills and Competencies required

• Ability to support development and maintenance of successful, inclusive and diverse team who are able to maintain day to day activities of the shop.
• Some commercial awareness with ability to support effective retail processes and strong merchandising.
• Ability to work collaboratively with the Shop Manager, and to build positive relationships with other colleagues.
• Provide excellent customer service, and engage with local community and other civil society organisations.
• Ability to demonstrate resilience to everyday pressures that come with the role and manage conflicting demands seeking appropriate support, advice and guidance when needed.
• Numerate and financial literate, able to interpret basic financial reports, monitor budgets and maintain shops administrative systems.

How to apply As part of your online application, please upload your up to date CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile.

A thriving diverse Oxfam: It’s people power that brings about change. To play our part as a global organisation working to overcome poverty and inequality, we need equality, diversity and inclusion across our community of staff, partners and volunteers. Together, we’re committed to becoming a more diverse workforce, better able to tackle the global challenges that face our world today.

To do that: We need to dismantle the unequal power structures that exist everywhere, this including Oxfam and the wider development and charity sectors. We need an inclusive Oxfam where everyone can bring who they are to our work and feels celebrated for the differences they bring. We want and need everyone, and that means we need you.