Kenny S. Kamal’s journey into IT leadership is one defined by purpose and passion. With decades of experience managing large-scale technology projects in the corporate world, Kenny found himself at a crossroads—seeking work that resonated with his personal values. That’s when Oxfam International came calling, offering him the opportunity to channel his expertise into creating meaningful change on a global scale.
“The shift from enterprise to non-profit wasn’t just a career move—it was a calling,” Kenny reflects. “I wanted to leverage technology not just for efficiency but for empowerment, helping vulnerable communities globally.”
At Oxfam, Kenny’s vision is clear: to build a unified, efficient, and accessible IT ecosystem that amplifies the organisation’s mission. For him, IT isn’t just a back-office function; it’s a force multiplier. “By standardising systems and reducing duplication, we free up resources to tackle inequality and poverty more effectively,” he explains.
Under Kenny’s leadership, Oxfam’s IT strategy has evolved into a powerhouse of innovation. The roadmap is transparent and purpose-driven, ensuring every project supports the organisation’s broader goals. From implementing a grant management system and rolling out an ERP across affiliates to deploying a data lake for transparency and collaboration, each initiative is designed with one objective: to empower Oxfam to act faster, smarter, and more collaboratively.
“Whether it’s through streamlined data sharing, enabling real-time decision-making, or expanding digital inclusion, our IT strategy is about creating meaningful, mission-aligned outcomes,” Kenny shares.
A Movement for Lasting Change
Oxfam is a global movement dedicated to fighting inequality and injustice. Working in 79 countries alongside thousands of partners, it helps communities build resilience, protect livelihoods, and push for lasting change. More than just providing aid, Oxfam tackles the root causes of poverty—challenging the systems that keep people marginalized. “We’re not just here to help at the moment,” says Kenny. “We’re here to drive real, lasting impact.”
At its core, Oxfam believes in the power of people. Across the world, individuals facing hardship are organizing, speaking out, and demanding change. Oxfam stands with them—amplifying their voices, advocating for fair economies, gender justice, and climate action. Through collaboration and innovation, it continues to push for a future where justice isn’t just an ideal, but a reality.
Leading with Empathy and Simplicity
Leadership in a confederated structure like Oxfam’s is no small feat. It requires navigating a diverse set of priorities and operational contexts across affiliates while staying true to the organisation’s overarching goals. For Kenny, the key to effective leadership lies in listening, empowering, and simplifying.
“Engagement is central to my philosophy,” Kenny explains. He ensures that users, stakeholders, and decision-makers across the confederation have a voice in shaping IT priorities. Regular consultations, workshops, and feedback loops foster a sense of collaboration and shared ownership.
However, leadership is also about balance—acknowledging local realities while maintaining a clear, unified strategy. Kenny’s focus on building trust, simplifying processes, and fostering innovation helps align Oxfam’s IT initiatives with its broader mission. “By removing obstacles and maintaining clarity, I enable teams across the organisation to excel and deliver real-world impact,” he says.
Balancing Innovation with Practicality
At Oxfam, ambition is carefully balanced with pragmatism. Kenny champions scalable, platform-based solutions over fragmented systems to minimise risks, improve governance, and ensure sustainability.
“Our service-backed delivery model for ERP rollouts across affiliates is a great example of how we maximise resources while maintaining local adaptability,” Kenny shares. This model reflects a broader commitment to aligning technological initiatives with strategic priorities while fostering a culture of innovation within Oxfam’s teams.
The impact of this approach is evident in key projects such as the new grant management system. Designed to streamline how Oxfam manages grants globally, the system has improved transparency and accountability, strengthened collaboration between affiliates and donors, and maximised the impact of every grant. “We’re already planning additional phases to enhance the solution further,” Kenny adds.
Oxfam’s innovation extends beyond grants management. The Oxfam Open Data initiative is transforming collaboration with a confederation-wide data lake that enables real-time decision-making. Coupled with a Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP), revised HR and finance platforms, and the ongoing ERP rollout, these initiatives are reshaping how Oxfam operates, empowering it to deliver greater impact.
Navigating Complexity with Clarity
For Kenny, one of the greatest challenges of his role is balancing global consistency with local autonomy. Each affiliate has unique priorities and operational contexts, which can lead to complexity. His solution? A shared roadmap that respects local nuances while maintaining alignment with Oxfam’s global goals.
“The ERP rollout through a service-backed delivery model ensures that affiliates benefit from standardised systems while retaining flexibility,” Kenny explains. Clear communication, stakeholder engagement, and a relentless focus on simplification are central to overcoming these challenges.
Cybersecurity, too, is a growing concern across all sectors, and Oxfam is no exception. Under Kenny’s leadership, Oxfam has adopted a proactive cybersecurity approach, starting with a major cleanup of its global tenant to improve security posture. The new MSSP enhances Oxfam’s ability to manage threats while ensuring scalability.
“Updated policies on information security and business continuity have been rolled out across the confederation to ensure compliance and resilience,” Kenny notes. By combining robust governance, ongoing training, and scalable security solutions, Oxfam protects sensitive data without slowing down critical operations.
Bridging Global Strategies with Local Realities
Scaling IT frameworks in an organisation as diverse as Oxfam begins with a deep understanding of local contexts. Kenny emphasises the importance of engaging directly with regional teams to capture detailed requirements. “Pilots and phased rollouts, such as the ERP implementation using the service-backed model, are critical to ensuring scalability and adaptability,” he shares.
This approach ensures that IT systems are not only efficient but also responsive to the unique needs of the regions where Oxfam operates. By balancing local realities with global priorities, Kenny’s team ensures alignment without compromising quality.
Technology at Oxfam serves as more than just a tool—it acts as a bridge between the organisation, its partners, and the communities it supports. Platforms like the Oxfam Partnership Platform are enhancing collaboration, enabling seamless data sharing, and facilitating joint decision-making.
“At the community level, we focus on providing digital access and training to ensure that technology empowers rather than excludes,” Kenny explains. By leveraging scalable solutions and building local capacity, Oxfam is driving meaningful impact while fostering inclusivity.
Inclusion is at the heart of Oxfam’s IT strategy. The solutions designed under Kenny’s leadership are lightweight, adaptable, and functional even in low-resource settings. By prioritising training and capacity-building, Oxfam ensures that communities can actively engage with and benefit from technological advancements.
A Legacy of Simplicity, Empowerment, and Impact
For Kenny, innovation flourishes when people feel empowered to experiment and learn. He has cultivated an environment within Oxfam where failure is not feared but embraced as a stepping stone toward progress. “Cross-functional collaboration, ongoing training, and linking innovation to measurable outcomes keep the team motivated and forward-thinking,” he shares.
As Oxfam’s Chief Information Officer, Kenny’s journey has been guided by one critical insight: alignment is everything. “When IT is fully aligned with the mission, it becomes a transformative force, enabling impact at a scale that would otherwise be impossible,” he reflects.
Kenny’s legacy at Oxfam is rooted in building a culture of simplicity and empowerment. From the grant management platform and data lake to the ERP rollout and revised HR and finance platforms, his initiatives have laid a strong foundation that amplifies Oxfam’s ability to drive change.
“Technology, at its best, is not just about systems but about the people who deliver the services and the lives it helps transform. That’s the legacy I want to leave,” Kenny says with conviction. By ensuring that IT serves as a catalyst for impact, he has set Oxfam on a path toward greater innovation, collaboration, and transformation.
For More Information: https://www.oxfam.org/en