Program Officer

Internal/External Posting Notice

Title:                                             Program Officer

Department:                                International Programs

Status:                                         Full-time, 12-months term, unionized

Location:                                     Ottawa, ON Canada (remote possible)

Immediate Supervisor:              Manager, International Programs

Salary:                                         $66,633 - $87,685

Level:                                           Band 2

Application Deadline:                August 31, 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. Our comprehensive employee benefits package includes robust health, dental and wellness benefits, flexible working conditions and generous vacation and other leave provisions.  We also offer the opportunity to be a part of our global movement for change! If you are passionate about tackling poverty, inequality and injustice around the world, believe in advocating for women’s rights and ending patriarchy, and share our values of Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage – we want you on our team!

S****COPE OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Manager, International Programs the Program Officer (PO) has a dual mandate. They:

1. Monitor compliance and quality and ensures effective reporting for a select portfolio of women’s rights projects supported by Oxfam Canada; and,
2. Support Oxfam Canada’s strategic focus on women’s rights and gender justice by ensuring program quality, and capturing and sharing learning in these areas in the implementation of the assigned project(s).

Under the direction of the Manager, International Programs the PO supports country staff, International NGO partners, and the Manager, to maintain effective operational and reporting relationships with Head Office in Ottawa, funders and other stakeholders. The PO may also engage with a range of stakeholders within Oxfam and externally to promote Oxfam programs, advance good practices and disseminate learnings.

Successful completion of this mandate requires the PO to negotiate and maintain effective working relations with a range of stakeholders, including: in country staff, Head Office colleagues in all departments, as well as partners and allies, funders, governments and agencies.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES**:** (This is not an exhaustive list of duties to be performed)

1. Project Implementation Support

• monitor the implementation of assigned project(s), providing timely and quality support to and liaising with country teams and international partner staff directly managing projects (support can include capacity strengthening through training on topics such as donor compliance);
• ensure timely submission of narrative and financial reports in accordance with contractual requirements (including report analysis, synthesizing of information and editing);
• collaborate with OCA staff engaged in the project on deliverables and coordinate the final product
• ensure accurate project budgeting, and close monitoring of spending (including developing annual budgets and periodic reforecasts, with input from country teams and OCA staff, and monitoring for donor compliance and fraud risk);
• Monitor contractual agreements with international stakeholders, partners and consultants (including reporting, liaison and accountability functions);
• advise on appropriate project management documents and tools (logic models, performance measurement frameworks, budgets);
• support country staff and international partner staff in the documentation and dissemination of program experiences and lessons learned, in keeping with Oxfam and donor guidelines and standards;
• monitor, both remotely and in-person partner agreements, work plans, reports and performance for compliance with program contracts; and,
• maintain a current understanding of development issues, in relation to gender equality and women’s rights, and including Canadian government policies and programs) related to the designated project portfolio.

2. New Business Development

• conduct background research;
• review and provide quality control support to country teams and program development unit for unsolicited proposals or proposals developed in response to calls for proposals;
• advise on results-based management documents and tools (logic models, performance measurement frameworks, work breakdown structures, budgets); and,
• participate in the negotiation of contribution/grant agreements and facilitate project inception processes (PIPs).

3. Institutional Engagement and Representation

• engage in organizational processes including team meetings, hiring/selection committees, working groups and committees as assigned;
• ensure effectiveness of cross-organizational linkages with other departments;
• engage in select Oxfam International groups, spaces and processes;
• engage in select public engagement activities that may include preparation of briefs and other materials, public speaking and media work representing Oxfam; and
• ensure effective linkages and communications, and develop relationships with external stakeholders including the Canadian public (including diaspora communities and Oxfam members), as well as donors, coalitions, networks and other audiences.

4. Other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES**:**

• University degree in a related field;
• Minimum three years’ experience in a humanitarian organization, including one year of international overseas experience;
• Demonstrated experience in women’s rights and gender equality programming, and the capacity strengthening of civil society and women’s rights organizations;
• Understanding of the policies, practices and requirements of a range of institutional funders, especially Global Affairs Canada;
• Strong organizational and administrative skills, including demonstrated experience managing accountability/implementation processes (contract compliance including financial and narrative reporting);
• Strong interpersonal and team skills;
• Excellent written and spoken English, including strong analytical and report-writing abilities;
• Demonstrated capacity to work both in a self-directed manner and collaboratively with other staff and stakeholders;
• Strong computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail and data base systems, use of social media;
• Demonstrated capacity to work effectively in a wide range of cultural and political settings;
• Willingness to sign and abide the Oxfam Code of Conduct;
• Ability to undertake international travel, sometimes in difficult circumstances.

B. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: The following qualifications are considered significant assets:

• Masters-level education in a related field;
• Professional training in gender and/or project management;
• Experience in innovative approaches to monitoring and evaluation of development projects;
• Experience in the documentation and dissemination of project and program learning;
• Second language skills relevant to organizational needs.

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 three core values: Empowerment, Accountability, Inclusiveness. 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.