Jim Clarken

Jim Clarken is the CEO of Oxfam Ireland and an Executive Director of Oxfam International.

A leading commentator on global issues relating to human rights, inequality, sustainable development, the rights of refugees and migrants, and business & human rights, Jim is regarded as a thought leader in the sector and is a frequent contributor to political and public debate through advocacy and media commentary in a wide range of international fora. He has shared high-level platforms with senior thought leaders, academics and politicians at UN bodies, the OECD and the EU, and at numerous platforms in Ireland including at the Oireachtas and Stormont in Northern Ireland.

A passionate advocate for the rights of women, Jim has driven a gender-focus at Oxfam working on women’s economic empowerment and participation in political and business leadership, and has led the Irish Consortium on Gender Based Violence.

He has been involved in the foundation of the Irish Refugee and Migrant Coalition, Stop Climate Chaos, the Irish Coalition for Business and Human Rights and is a former chair of Dóchas.

He has extensive leadership and corporate governance experience, working at senior management and board level in the corporate sector and international NGO sector for almost thirty years.

Jim is an Adjunct Professor at the School of Business and Law at UCC, a board member of Cork University Business School and a regular contributor to several University programmes. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from NUI Galway and an MBA from UCC.