Oxfam has come top of a list of the best not-for-profit employers, as rated by its staff.

The Cowley-based charity scored consistently highly in categories in the list by job site Indeed including work-life balance, job security, pay and culture.

Oxfam deputy chief executive Penny Lawrence said: "The research tallies with our own regular surveys which show that the vast majority of staff feel proud to work for Oxfam, enjoy their job and share Oxfam's vision to end extreme poverty around the world.

"We try to ensure staff have every opportunity to develop their talents in Oxfam and that there are lots of opportunities to learn and engage in our wider work.

"While salary is important, it's not everything and it's clear to us that delivering job satisfaction is not simply a question of wage, it's a matter of professional development, engagement and recognition of the value of our wonderful staff and volunteers."

Charities and the armed forces dominated the top 20 organisations listed.

Citizens Advice was second, followed by the Army, BBC, Red Cross, RSPCA, YMCA, Salvation Army, Cancer Research and HM Forces.

Indeed managing director Bill Richards said: "A salary might be what drives people to work, but what makes us enjoy our job is more complex. While the public sector contains a huge range of jobs, from the civil service to charity work, many of those who choose a career in the sector are looking beyond their pay packet to other rewards.

"Employers who make their team feel valued and offer a good work-life balance and a positive culture scored consistently well. Having fun and feeling like your work is having an impact, those are the things that make a workplace in any sector feel special."