Program Officer (Humanitarian & MEL)

About this position

Internal/External Posting Notice

Title:                                                Program Officer (Humanitarian & MEL)                                  

Department:                              International Programs

Status:                                            Full-time, unionized

Location:                                      Ottawa, ON (remote available)                            

Immediate Supervisor:      Manager, Humanitarian Unit

Salary:                                            $62,814 - 82,659 

Level:                                                Band 2  

Application Deadline:           April 4, 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!

SCOPE OF POSITION:

Reporting to the Manager, Humanitarian Unit, the Program Officer (Humanitarian & Monitoring Evaluation and Learning) or “PO HUM&MEL” has a dual mandate. They:

1. Monitor compliance and quality and ensures effective reporting for a project supported by Oxfam Canada; and,
2. Provide monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) support to Oxfam country teams in the delivery of Oxfam Canada’s portfolio of Humanitarian Unit projects.

Under the direction of the Humanitarian Program Manager, the PO HUM&MEL provides support to in country staff in the design, administration, management and implementation of humanitarian and nexus projects, funded largely by Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The PO HUM&MEL monitors projects remotely and through project visits, ensures effective implementation and quality.  The Officer ensures all aspects of donor compliance, including donor relationship management.  As well, the Officer supports the Manager to increase women's rights and feminist approaches in the humanitarian portfolio.  The Officer may also engage with a range of external stakeholders to promote Oxfam programs, advance good practices and disseminate learnings.

Successful completion of this mandate requires the Officer to negotiate and maintain effective working relations with a range of stakeholders, including staff of Oxfam country offices and affiliates; Head Office colleagues in the International Program Department and other departments; as well as program partners and allies, funders and donors, other Oxfam affiliates, governments and agencies.

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

Project Implementation Support:

• Monitor of the implementation of assigned project(s), including compliance with donor requirements, budget and financial requirements; partner agreements and other contracts; and implementation and work plans; 
• Ensure timely submission of accurate and quality narrative and financial reports in accordance with contractual requirements;
• Ensure accurate annual and cumulative project budgeting and accurate and timely monitoring of planned project spending as a key contribution to Oxfam Canada’s financial operations; 
• Monitor contractual agreements with international allies, partners and consultants beyond the reach of the country office, leading on reporting, liaison and accountability functions with these agencies; 
• Maintain the required database and files on partners, projects and contracts in keeping with organizational standards;
• Supporting quality of programs with the timely provision of technical advisory support in-country staff on program related issues; notably, on Gender in Emergencies;
• Support country office staff in the documentation and dissemination of program experiences and lessons learned, in keeping with Oxfam guidelines and standards; provide or produce communications materials for different audiences; 
• Maintain a current understanding of humanitarian and development issues, in relation to gender equality and women’s rights and of refugee education in particular, and including Canadian government policies and programs) related to the designated project portfolio.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Support:

• Provide MEL support to the Oxfam country teams on a range of program-related issues, as well designing and delivering results-based management.
• Monitor the implementation of the project performance measurement framework (PMF) and track beneficiary reach.
• Coordinate the timely collection and analysis of quality monitoring information;
• Contribute to the production of a variety of monitoring and other reports for a range of stakeholders;
• Support Country/Regional Office and international partner staff in the documentation and dissemination of program experiences and lessons learned, in keeping with Oxfam and donor guidelines and standards;

Institutional Engagement and Representation: 

• Engage in organizational processes including team meetings, working groups and committees as assigned;
• Ensure effectiveness of cross-organizational linkages with Oxfam Canada’s Policy and Campaigns Department, Fund Development and Finance and Operations, as well as with other units of the International Programs Department;
• Represent Oxfam Canada at designated tables within the Oxfam International confederation and the Canadian NGO community; and with donors.
• Ensure effective linkages and communications with external stakeholders including the Canadian public as well as donors, coalitions, networks and other audiences, including representation, media and other presentations as needed.

Other related duties as assigned

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

• University degree in a relevant field;
• A minimum of five years work experience with an international humanitarian/development organization, including 2 years of international overseas experience;
• Demonstrated experience in women’s rights and gender equality programming, and the capacity strengthening of civil society organizations, including Refugee Led Organizations;
• Knowledge of key humanitarian programmatic interventions (WASH, EFSL, Health, Nutrition, GiE, Protection, Shelter/NFI) and triple nexus;
• Experience with the policies, practices and requirements of Global Affairs Canada;
• Demonstrated experience with a wide range of monitoring and evaluation methods, including gender-sensitive and feminist methods, and familiarity with qualitative and quantitative data gathering and analysis techniques.
• In-depth understanding of results-based management;
• Demonstrated experience in the development and application of performance measurement frameworks;
• Excellent written and spoken skills in English are required, including strong analytical and report-writing capability including donor reporting;
• Excellent organizational and administrative skills, backed by demonstrated experience in organizing and managing efficiently information, data, and accountability processes (contract compliance including financial and narrative reporting);
• Strong interpersonal and team skills;
• 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 networking;
• 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, including in difficult circumstances.

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

• University degree (or masters-level education) with a focus on refugees and displacement
• Experience in refugee education programming and working with refugee led community based organizations
• Experience in innovative approaches to monitoring and evaluation of humanitarian projects;
• Experience in the documentation and dissemination of project and program learning;
• Experience with online survey software
• Experience in the documentation and dissemination of project and program learning;
• Knowledge of other institutional funders of international humanitarian programs;
• Experience working in an international NGO confederation;
• 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-opportunities. 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.