Internal/External Posting Notice
Title: Feminist Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist
Department: International Programs
Status: Full-time, unionized
Location: Ottawa, ON Canada (Remote Possible)
Immediate Supervisor: Manager, Program Impact
Salary: $70,524 - $91,579
Level: Band 3
Application Deadline: October 3, 2023
Oxfam Canada is an affiliate of the international Oxfam Confederation networked in over 90 countries as part of a global movement for change. Our mission is to build lasting solutions to poverty and injustice with a focus on improving the lives and promoting the rights of women and girls. We work directly with communities, partners and women's rights organizations to challenge the systems that perpetuate inequality and keep people poor. Together we seek to influence those in power to ensure that women trapped in poverty have a say in the critical decisions that affect them, their families and entire communities. That’s why we believe that ending global poverty begins with women’s rights.
Oxfam Canada offers a generous compensation and benefits program, but more than that, we offer the opportunity to be a part of our global movement for change. If you advocate for gender equality, are passionate about women’s rights, and share our values of Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage – we want you on our team!
SCOPE OF POSITION:
The Feminist Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist will act as Oxfam Canada’s (OCA) women’s rights and gender justice (WR/GJ) MEAL focal point to support program quality and impact. The Specialist will provide MEAL support to OCA’s programs across a range of thematic areas in line with OCA’s Strategic Plan and to Oxfam Leadership team as needed to support the MEAL framework of the OCA Strategic Plan.
As well, the Specialist will spearhead OCA’s ambition to provide leadership in the sector on gender transformative approaches to MEAL, adapting concepts and approaches to the real world for programming, analysing and documenting experiences, and communicating those to influence program practice – within OCA, Oxfam International, and beyond.
Lastly, the specialist will support program development efforts from a MEAL perspective and contribute to growing Oxfam's gender justice programming; as well as engaging in influencing efforts through MEAL expertise and thought leadership.
In addition to thematic expertise, the Specialist will ensure OCA’s continued leadership as an expert in knowledge sharing - making useful MEAL and Gender and Feminist MEAL resources and knowledge accessible to people who need them, particularly program colleagues overseas; producing evidence-based and user-friendly MEAL publications and communications materials; and facilitating technology-supported knowledge sharing, networking and learning, both remotely and face-to-face.
Some international travel will be required.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**:** (This is not an exhaustive list of duties to be performed)
- Work with the thematic program teams within the international programs department to ensure the strategic functioning of the programs’ MEAL system and program learning.
- Design quantitative and qualitative methods and systems, analysis of data gathered, production of a variety of documents, and quality control, in support of generation and dissemination of evidence and knowledge.
- With the recognition that most MEAL tools and methods are gender sensitive, spearhead experimentation and innovation with feminist MEAL, and MEAL tools and methods leading to their feminist adaptation to move towards gender transformation.
- Support program quality and continuous improvement that contributes to the strengthening of OCA’s program strategies on CSO capacity building and on the promotion of women’s rights and gender equality. Develop dissemination plans that emphasize the need to share results, learning, and knowledge with a range of stakeholders, in formats tailored to their different needs.
- Convene the MEAL Working Group made up of all Oxfam Canada MEAL Officers and other staff working on MEAL for the purpose of sharing information, expertise, strategies, and tools for Feminist MEAL.
- Provide technical support and coordination for MEAL and knowledge sharing in relation to the implementation of OCA’s Strategic Plan, including in relation to reporting on the MEAL framework of the Strategic Plan
- Work closely with relevant OI forums – in particular the OI MEAL Network – leading efforts to advance gender and feminist MEAL within the OI confederation.
- Support staff to fulfill OCA’s MEAL obligations. This support can include the review of data collection tools or strategies, the review of draft reports, contributions to new project proposals, and the provision of sessions on MEAL concepts and approaches.
- Support the international programs department in its fundraising efforts with evidence, content and MEAL expertise.
- Represent Oxfam, in particular communicating Oxfam’s perspectives on gender capacity building and gender MEAL, to a range of external stakeholders, including partners, funders, implementing agencies, governments, media and the public.
- Develop and manage the process of producing compelling materials highlighting impact and key strategies that contribute to strategic knowledge sharing.
- Other duties as required.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES:
- Master’s degree in international development, with academic or professional experience in program monitoring, evaluation, and learning
- A minimum of five years’ work experience in monitoring and evaluation in the international development setting;
- Strong analytical understanding and demonstrated experience/knowledge in the area of gender and women’s rights.
- Experience engendering MEAL tools and methods with an in-depth understanding of the associated challenges and strong knowledge of feminist MEAL concepts, guiding principles, and approaches.
- Demonstrated experience in the conceptualization and implementation of program MEAL systems.
- Demonstrated experience with a wide range of MEAL methods, in particular case study design, survey design, focus groups, interviews, Most Significant Change, Theory of Change, and Outcome Mapping, with strong ability to implement systems based on triangulation.
- Demonstrated expertise in qualitative and quantitative techniques for data gathering and proven experience in quantitative and qualitative analysis, including autonomy with data base and analysis software.
- In-depth understanding of Results-based Management (RBM) is required; in particular extensive experience with the design of effective program Results Chains and Performance Management Frameworks.
- Demonstrated commitment to participatory MEAL approaches, including demonstrated experience in social accountability.
- Demonstrated commitment to global justice, gender equality and social change;
- Strong analytical writing skills required and strong ability to communicate the importance of demonstrating impact through evidence; experience in the documentation and dissemination of program learning required.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.
- Strong computer skills in word processing, advanced excel functions, spreadsheet, and electronic mail and data base systems.
- Demonstrated capacity to work in a self-directed manner in a team-based setting.
- Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a wide range of cultural and political settings.
- Willingness to sign and abide by the Oxfam Code of Conduct.
ASSETS
- Overseas work experience
- Fluency in Spanish or other languages used in Oxfam Canada Program countries
In addition to competitive pay, we offer:
- 35-hour workweek and the ability to work flexible hours
- A hybrid workplace where staff can work from home and the Ottawa office
- 4 weeks paid vacation per year, plus paid office closure between Christmas and New Year
- Extensive health, dental and wellness coverage for you and your dependents
- Paid sick days, and additional time off for personal and care responsibilities
- Pension plan contributions
- Caring, compassionate and supportive work environment that recognizes that work is one of the many responsibilities we have to prioritize in our lives
- Regular opportunities for all staff across Canada to meet – in person and virtually – to learn, connect and grow as a team!
** MUST be eligible to work in Canada **
If you don’t see yourself reflected in every job requirement listed in the posting above, we still encourage you to apply.
Oxfam Canada is committed to diversity and equity around the globe and in our workplace. All our work is led by six core values: Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage. We welcome applications from: women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, ethnic minorities, persons of minority sexual orientation or gender identity, visible minorities, and others who may contribute to diversification and share our values. If you are invited to continue the selection process, please notify us as soon as possible of any particular adaptive measures you might require. Applicants are encouraged to share accessibility needs in the application process, and every attempt will be made to accommodate them.
Important Note: All offers of employment are conditional upon signing our strict code of conduct, subject to satisfactory references and may be subject to appropriate screening checks. We place a high priority on ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for Oxfam Canada.
For additional career opportunities within Oxfam Canada, please visit oxfam.ca/employment-oppportunities. Please note that we are not able to offer internships or overseas volunteer placements.
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We thank all those who apply, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.