Manager, Humanitarian

Oxfam Canada is an affiliate of the international Oxfam Confederation networked in over 85 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:

Reporting to the Deputy Director, Humanitarian, the Manager, Humanitarian Unit provides the strategic, programmatic and managerial leadership required for an effective humanitarian program, as guided by the Oxfam Canada strategic plan and the respective standards, policies and structures of Oxfam International. 

The Manager is primarily responsible for:

• Elaborating and implementing an effective humanitarian strategy that is coherent with:
• The strategic priorities and program framework of Oxfam Canada, which places women’s rights and gender equality at the center of all of Oxfam’s work.
• The strategic plan, policies, and structures of Oxfam International.
• Managing the work of the Humanitarian Unit, comprising program development; project planning and monitoring; advocacy; staff supervision; finance and administration.
• Representing Oxfam Canada to internal and external stakeholders, including governments, funders, implementing agencies, partners, media and the public. 
• Ensuring the quality of Oxfam Canada’s humanitarian programs.
• Ensuring that Oxfam Canada’s Humanitarian Program are understood by, and communicated to the Canadian public.   

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

1. Strategic Leadership: 

Working with the Deputy Director, Humanitarian, the Humanitarian Manager is responsible for the elaboration of Oxfam Canada’s Humanitarian program and for ensuring that the required systems and processes are in place to ensure its efficient and effective implementation. The Manager will also provide content and representational leadership to Oxfam Canada’s efforts to place women’s rights and gender equality at the centre of our humanitarian work.

2. Program Development, Implementation and Evaluation:

The Humanitarian Manager is accountable for decision-making and performance of the Humanitarian Unit.  This includes:

• Facilitating the creation and maintenance of an effective Unit in a participatory management style, including annual work planning processes;
• Establishing and maintaining systems for efficient administration of the Unit and its program, including:
• Accurate and timely financial management of the Unit’s budget and program expenses, including annual  budgeting, monitoring  disbursements of funds and assuring accurate execution of funding contracts.
• Co-ordinating the monitoring, evaluation and learning processes within the Unit.
• Effective human resource management and supervising the recruitment, selection, direction and evaluation of contract staff  and consultants.
• Liaising with Oxfam colleagues, key funders, agencies, partners and coalitions as required to advance Oxfam Canada’s Humanitarian program and capacity. 
• Travelling as required to participate in program development, monitoring, and related activities.
• Quality control of all proposals, reports and documents produced by the Unit.

3. Program Funding:

• Overseeing the identification and tracking of funding opportunities for humanitarian programs.
• Relationship building with institutional funders in support of the Deputy Director.
• Co-coordinating the elaboration of funding proposals to secure additional funding for humanitarian activities.
• Providing quality assurance to the proposal development process.

4. Thematic Knowledge, Policy, Advocacy and Education:

• Maintaining a broad understanding of the humanitarian sector, including industry-level trends, current Canadian government policy and the work of other Canadian NGOs and international development agencies, including other Oxfams.
• Providing content leadership on gender in emergencies and assuring women’s rights in humanitarian crises.
• Co-coordinating the Unit’s contribution to the design and implementation of Oxfam Canada’s policy, advocacy and media work.
• Supporting the Deputy Director to develop and communicate Oxfam’s humanitarian advocacy strategies and positions to external stakeholders.

5. Functional Teams:

• As a member of the International Programs  management team, contribute to the effective planning and implementation of Oxfam Canada’s international programs, with a focus on improving the institutional policies and systems required to assure quality humanitarian programming.

6. Project Management and Implementation:

• Managing, implementing and monitoring individual humanitarian projects or policy initiatives (in Canada or overseas) as assigned.
• Managing, implementing and monitoring Oxfam Canada’s Emergency Response Fund (ERF) as well as Oxfam Canada’s engagements with other funding mechanisms such as the Humanitarian Coalition.

7. Representation:

• Representing Oxfam Canada in national and international humanitarian spaces including Oxfam International working groups and Canadian networks.

Other related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES:

• University degree in international development, political science or in an area related to the humanitarian sector or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum seven years’ international humanitarian work experience, including at least three years of responding to emergencies in a field-based position, through which the candidate has demonstrated skills in program development and program/project management with proven experience in the analysis, management and evaluation of humanitarian response.
• Demonstrated experience and capacity in the analysis of current political, social and economic policy and practice related to humanitarian response.
• Demonstrated commitment to women’s rights and gender equality required and a track record in addressing gender equality and women’s rights issues in the context of humanitarian response.   
• Strong analytical understanding of a range of development issues (including poverty, justice and environmental issues) and the ability to apply these in humanitarian programming, implementation and evaluation.
• Excellent written and spoken skills in English is required. This includes strong analytical and writing capability, particularly with reports, funding applications, and program and policy documents. Second language skills in French and / or Spanish would be a definite asset.
• Proven skills in team leadership and management, able to work with people in such a manner to build high morale and group commitments in order to achieve organizational goals & objectives; inclusively, must have proven training, and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated administrative ability to maintain organized administrative processes and systems;
• Strong computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail and database systems.
• Financial management training and/or proven capacity related to the successful administration of international development grants, including budget development and monitoring.
• Demonstrated capacity to work in a cross-cultural environment. 
• Commitment and strong understanding of community-based development compatible with the mission, goals and strategies of Oxfam Canada.
• Ability to undertake travel within the region and in Canada, sometimes in difficult circumstances or with little advance notice.
• Willingness to sign and abide by the Oxfam Code of Conduct;
• Demonstrated commitment to feminism, anti-racism, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. 

In addition to competitive pay, Oxfam Canada Offers:

• 35-hour work week and the ability to work flexible hours.
• 4 weeks of paid vacation per year, prorated based on FTE equivalence, plus paid office closure from December 27 to 31.
• Extensive health, dental and wellness coverage for staff and their 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!

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How to Apply:

We recognize that structural barriers shape experiences and job qualifications. If you don’t see yourself reflected in every job requirement listed in the posting above, we still encourage you to apply!

As an organization and as individuals, we stand against all systems of oppression, violence, and hate. We stand for justice, equity, diversity, inclusion (JEDI) and decolonization within our organization and society at large, guided by our Anti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Principles (ARAO), our Feminist Principles, and our six core values: Equality, Empowerment, Solidarity, Inclusiveness, Accountability, and Courage. Our Strategic Framework 2021-2025 has a commitment to grow as a feminist, diverse and inclusive organization. To that end, we have created an Anti-Racism, JEDI and Decolonization Strategy 2023-2025 with a vision to become a more just, inclusive and equitable organization, unbound by the oppressive systems of racism, white supremacy, patriarchy and the legacy of colonialism that have fueled global poverty and inequality.

We prioritize creating a compassionate, inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and connected. We are especially eager to hear from women and gender non-conforming individuals, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, persons with disabilities, immigrants to Canada, and others from underrepresented groups.

If you require adaptive measures during any stage of the recruitment process, please notify us at [email protected]or (613) 237-5236. We are committed to providing accommodations to meet your needs. Oxfam Canada has an accommodation policy for persons with disabilities. The job posting is available in alternate formats.

Important Note: Offers of employment are conditional upon signing our code of conduct, satisfactory references, and any required screening checks. At Oxfam Canada, we place a high priority on ensuring that only individuals who share and demonstrate our values join our team.

Apply here!