The aim of this research is to explore uncommon but successful behaviours or strategies that have enabled certain teams in Oxfam GB to find better solutions to problems. The researchers undertook semi-structured interviews with respondents across 13 innovative initiatives. The researchers chose these projects based on a review of a wider set of Oxfam programmes, choosing those that have brought, or have high potential to bring, impact at scale.
Key findings:
- The initiatives rarely took a linear path but evolved significantly over time, with false starts and blind alleys along the way.
- The report identifies five roles that enable innovative initiatives to thrive: Dynamic Driver, Fearless Champion, Amazing Adviser, Motivated Team and Enlightened Senior Leader.
- Collaboratively minded, empowered leaders are vital at all levels, and successful teams needed to work across boundaries in non-hierarchical ways.
- The non-linear way in which most of these initiatives evolved necessitates flexible funding in the early stages, proactive donor relationships and reasonable allocation of staff time.
- Successful initiatives are born out of a mindset that is questioning, open to windows of opportunity and prepared to rapidly iterate and adapt.
- It is important to work with the right partners and allies, including diverse partners, in a climate of respect and trust.
Key recommendations:
- Develop methodologies to foster innovation in Oxfam’s project cycle, and ensure relevant and timely financial and advisory support for the design of all new flagship programmes.
- Allocate resources and create space for identified innovators to explore and trial new initiatives and business models.
- Move to multi-stakeholder working, and use iconic global programmes to model collaboration and diverse partnership; encourage collaboration with ‘unusual suspects’ across all countries.
- Develop specific initiatives that create the opportunity for key local actors, such as women’s organisations, to be prime innovators.
- Significantly increase the amount of time, energy and money that Oxfam GB invests at every level in future-facing work compared with ‘delivering the present’, including programme design, flexible internal funding pots, new business model development and leadership development.
