AT OXFAM WE WON’T LIVE WITH POVERTY.

Together we can end extreme poverty for good. Will you join us?

Shop / Deputy Manager

Candidate Pack

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Welcome to Oxfam
Thank you for your interest in applying for our vacancy for a Shop/ Deputy Shop Manager at Oxfam

This pack is designed to give you background information about the role, what it is like to work at Oxfam
and our core values. You will also see attached to this vacancy a full job profile.

Please take the time to read all documents thoroughly as there is information in here that will help you
progress with your application. Additionally, we hope that as a customer, supporter and donor to Oxfam
this information will give you an understanding of how we do things.

Take the time to complete your online application carefully. Please attach an up to date CV and a cover
letter that explains how you meet all the essential/desirable criteria for this position. Both of these
documents will be used when we shortlist for this role.

We anticipate that interviews will commence mid-August 2020. We will keep you informed about the
progress of your application so please ensure you give us your email address.

As part of your application I would like to encourage you to visit your local Oxfam shop/s or come to our
Superstore, if you are in Oxfordshire, to get a good understanding of the role and how we work. Our
Shop Teams are more than happy to tell you what it is like to work with us, so don’t be afraid to ask
them questions.

As you know, we have recently been closed as part of the government response to the Covid-19 crisis.
As we re-open we look forward to welcoming, staff, volunteers, customers and donors back to our
shops. Volunteers are at the heart of our local communities and we know the essential role that they
play in our Oxfam shops. We have been reviewing the Government advice to make sure that our shops
are a safe space for everyone to work in. Health and safety being paramount for all.

Our current risk mitigation activities in place are (please be aware that Government advice changes on a
regular basis):
• Provision of hand sanitiser in all stationary bays in Shop – front and back.
• Maintaining a strict handwashing regime - every 15 minutes when sorting / touching products.
• Handwashing messaging reinforced via extra posters put up in toilets/handwashing areas.
• Provision of face masks, aprons and gloves for personal use is available in all shops.
• Flexiplastic screens erected in all shops at till area.
• Social distancing strategies in place in all shops and signage/tape on floor and posters acting
as reminders.
• Customers to keep to 1m plus social distancing.
• Social distancing in all rest areas to be adhered to.
• Donations to be kept in isolation for 48 hrs for decontamination.
• Maintain a strict cleaning regime on all touched items, tills, tablets, keyboards, throughout the
day.
Below is some further information about our key strategic priorities which will help you with your
application and will be a key focus for successful candidates going forward:

Volunteering
Oxfam is a Volunteer led organisation, and whether our volunteers are sorting donations, serving
customers, dressing the shop window or tweeting about in-store events, they make our life-saving work
possible. Altogether we are all part of the Oxfam story, a story that’s been going for more than 70 years.
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Our volunteering model is based around our values of empowerment, inclusivity and accountability,
which we take very seriously. Every shop team is empowered to do things their way - deciding on
pricing, stock and the shop layout. The Shop Management Team are responsible for recruiting, leading
and guiding the diverse team volunteers in their shops. At times this can be challenging but for our
existing staff this is one of the most rewarding elements of the role.

Our shop volunteers, and there is around 20,000 of them, are a vital part of our powerful global
movement united by one goal to end poverty, for everyone. Our volunteers give us their time, hard work,
passion and knowledge, which helps raise vital unrestricted income to support Oxfam’s work to rebuild
lives in disasters, tackle the big issues that keep people poor like inequality and climate change and
help to build better lives for the people that need it the most. One of our strategic aims over the next
three year is to grow our volunteer numbers significantly in our shops

Gift Aid
Gift Aid is an extremely important source of income for Oxfam and improving the revenue stream from
Gift Aid continues is always a key strategic goal for Oxfam Trading. Gift Aid is a government scheme
whereby charities like Oxfam are able to reclaim 25% tax on donations made and we have ambitious, but
achievable plans to grow our Gift Aid contribution.

Anyone donating goods or cash to Oxfam can potentially sign up and join Oxfam’s Gift Aid scheme.
Donors must be registered as a UK tax payer to sign up to the scheme and can do this on line or by
using one of Oxfam’s Tag Your Bag forms from their local shop.

The potential for increasing Gift Aid across Oxfam’s retail network is massive and everyone in the retail
line have an important part to play delivering our Gift Aid target.

E-Commerce
Oxfam has had its own online shop since 2007 and it's one of a kind - the only online UK charity shop
selling all kinds of second-hand goods from vintage Dior to quirky homewares, one off collectable, rare
vinyl, eclectic books and everything in between, including our virtual gift catalogue, Oxfam Unwrapped
and soon a full range of ethically sourced new goods. Oxfam shops are the lifeblood of the Oxfam Online
Shop. Every day volunteers in shop teams across the UK list hundreds of items to raise as much value
from donations as possible.

We have exciting growth plans in place for our online business over the coming year and our shops will
be at the heart of this, with more shops listing more donated items online. Whether it's photography,
writing compelling product descriptions, online research, garment care, despatch or social media
marketing, Oxfam shop teams will be critical to the future success of Oxfam's e-commerce operation.

What happens next...

Please read this pack and the job profile carefully and then complete our on-line application process.

Thank you again for your interest in Oxfam Trading and Good luck

Anne Webb
Acting Trading Director

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About the Organisation

In 1942 Oxfam started as Oxford Committee for Famine Relief, by a group of concerned volunteers to help
people in Greece who were suffering from famine during the Second World War.

In 1948, Oxfam opened a shop on the high street, due to the large number of items received as donations
for the charity. This shop in Broad Street, Oxford, was the first Oxfam shop and it still open for business
today.

1948 Oxfam opens the first ever charity shop in Broad Street, Oxford to
raise money for the Greek famine. Six decades on, it’s still going strong

1964 We start selling handicrafts made in developing countries, giving small-scale

producers fair price and support. We go on to co-found the Fairtrade Foundation –
and Cafe Direct

1971 We open the first Oxfam Bookshop in Exeter. We now have more than 140
bookshops across the country

2007 Oxfam launches the first ever online charity shop. Today it’s still the UK’s
biggest, listing more than 100,000 items www.oxfam.org.uk/shop

2008 Three London Shops are transformed into super stylish fashion boutiques,
creating a buzz nationwide. We also launch our Shwopping initiative with M&S
www.oxfam.org.uk/MandS

Today Oxfam has around 600 shops, run by more than 23,000 volunteers. Every year
we raise millions to fight poverty worldwide. With your help, we’ll raise even more

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Oxfam Values

Oxfam’s organisational values, together with the way we run our shops, set us apart from other charity
retailers and offer a different and a more exciting range of volunteering opportunities than in other places
on the high street.

Empowerment – we will lead from where we sit

Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in
poverty should feel they can make change happen.

Accountability – we do what we say we will

Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold
ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.

Inclusiveness – we are diverse

We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make,
regardless of visible and invisible differences.

The way that we run our shops in accordance with our values is not something we decided in a boardroom,
but our shops have organically grown this way from the time they started trading to the present day.

We won’t live with poverty

Today, Oxfam has grown into a powerful global movement including aid workers, marathon runners,
coffee farmers, street fundraisers, goat herders, water engineers, campaigners – and now you. All
united by one goal – an end to poverty, for everyone.
Together we save lives during disasters. We help people living in poverty build better lives for
themselves. We speak out on the big issues that keep people poor, like inequality and climate change.
And we won’t stop until every person on the planet can live without poverty.

Ending poverty-it’s not wishful thinking - It’s already happening.

In just 15 years, extreme poverty has halved. By 2030 we can end it for good.
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 "I have worked for Oxfam since
2011 and before then as a volunteer.
The charity has given me huge
opportunities working in many
different shops and the pleasure of
working with such a diverse team.
The greatest pleasure is seeing your
shop achieve results which make a
huge difference to Oxfam's work.
Oxfam is a hugely motivating force
for good and I look forward to the
years ahead".
(George, Deputy Shop Manager)
“I like getting a big bag of books
to sort, spotting something that could
be collectable – then going online and
working out what it could be worth.”
John Rastall, sorts and helps value
books of all shapes and sizes
“Volunteering has
increased my self-esteem – I’m
more confident talking to people
and I’ve learned to take charge. I
feel I have freedom in the shop to
really contribute and use my
skills.”
Tamika Aboah, 19, Oxfam shop
volunteer
“
When I’m in the shop, the
manager knows to trust me. I
don’t have to ask permission to
do stuff. I just do it. It feels good
to be trusted.”
Yidi Oyeniyi prices clothes,
styles the shop – and
dresses the window
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Volunteer Management Model

Volunteer
RESPONSIBLE

Manager
ACCOUNTABLE

Delegation Communications

By using Delegation and Communication, Managers EMPOWER Volunteers

Safeguarding
"Oxfam believes that people have the right to work in an environment free from harm or abuse. Oxfam
Trading works with all staff and volunteers to create a positive working environment for children and
vulnerable adults to work and volunteer in. Oxfam Trading is committed to upholding our Safeguarding
policies, training all staff in Safeguarding principles and procedures. As part of this commitment all of
our shop staff are subject to an enhanced DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check and all
successful applicants will be asked to complete this process before undertaking employment with us."

Welcome to a Community of Inspiring People

Be the change – Be Oxfam

Oxfam is a global movement of people who won’t live with poverty, and we work together to end this
injustice for everyone. Thousands of talented people already commit their time to make this happen

Oxfam is its people; our staff, volunteers, supporters, partners and the communities we work with. By
joining us you will join a movement standing against the injustice of poverty, an environment where we
hope you will flourish, continuously learn and progress and we will offer you an array of benefits.

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 Our Values what
we stand for

OXFAM
Development & Culture, People &
Career Environment

Benefits

Oxfam is a community, an exciting and friendly environment where committed, dedicated, inspiring and
driven individuals come together from all corners of the world to work hard to eradicate poverty, each
person bringing something special to create a friendly and diverse atmosphere.
Oxfam is a constantly evolving organisation which has transformed itself over several decades to stay
at the cutting edge of our work. We want to be the international charity of the future, and an
organisation which is agile, networked, grounded, and creative.

Whether you have been with Oxfam for years or are considering joining us now and if you have drive,
commitment and passion then you will have the opportunity to grow and further your career. Oxfam
strives to support staff development and career journeys in many ways, regardless of your role. Our
career stories are unique, from the chance to take on new projects, to move across teams, mentor
others, and much more. Oxfam’s Learning and Development offer provides you with access to on-the job
learning opportunities, mentoring, certified coaching, in-house courses, and many other options. We
also support employees with external opportunities through study leave, as well as employees studying
for certain professional qualifications.

Oxfam has committed to recruiting at least 50% of its staff from within, increasing the number of future
career opportunities for staff who are ready to take the next step in their career journey.

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 Benefits & how we reward you
Oxfam strives to live and promote the fairness and transparency we demand from the world. We have a
comprehensive package, flexible working options and much more:

✓ Access to “My
✓ Flexible working
Aviva” app to manage
conditions including ✓ Flexibility around ✓ Generous
your pension online
part time working, job working hours/shifts contributory pension.
and access to Aviva
share arrangements.
planning tools.

✓ Starting annual
leave entitlement of
✓ Additional leave ✓ Competitive
25 days per year (fte) ✓ Life Assurance
allowances company sick pay
plus bank holidays per
year

✓ Dedicated Employee
✓ Counselling & ✓ Financial Planning
Assistance Scheme ✓ Legal Guidance
Emotional Support and Hardship Support
(Retail Trust)

✓ My Oxfam Savings -
✓ Private Health ✓ Cycle to work
Offering hundreds of
Scheme scheme
staff discounts

Further Links which may help your application:

• Volunteering helped change Becky’s life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWaWEFbetX0

• Shop, Volunteer and donate to your local Oxfam Shop https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeOLPA-
M-zE
• Meet Danny Sriskandarajah https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0TDCGWBng8I
• www.oxfam.org.uk

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