Manager, International Programs Operations

Summary

The successful candidate for this position is flexible, enjoys variety in their work and adapts easily to new and challenging roles and functions. The Manager, International Programs Operations (IPO) will provide support to the Director, International Programs as required to ensure effective management of the department, including active support to international development and humanitarian projects.

Description

Internal/External Posting Notice

Title:                                             Manager, International Programs Operations                                      

Department:                                International Programs

Status:                                         Full-time, unionized, 18 months

Location:                                      90% work from home to be based in Ottawa, Canada area                            

Immediate Supervisor:               Director, International Programs

Salary:                                          $66,485.00 – $86,330.15

Level:                                            Band 3 

Application Deadline:                 October 5, 2022              

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, including robust health, dental and wellness benefits, flexible workplace, 4 weeks’ vacation, 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 successful candidate for this position is flexible, enjoys variety in their work and adapts easily to new and challenging roles and functions. The Manager, International Programs Operations (IPO) will provide support to the Director, International Programs as required to ensure effective management of the department, including active support to international development and humanitarian projects.  The incumbent will support the Director to achieve key strategic priorities identified in the Oxfam Canada Strategic Framework.  The incumbent will also lead tasks associated with open positions within the department, while recruitment of staff is underway, when extra support is needed, or capacity is limited.  Tasks or deliverables associated with Manager, Officer or Specialist positions within the International Programs department could be supported or led by this role as needs arise.  The Manager IPO will contribute to efforts to increase support to Oxfam Canada’s work and further develop its knowledge and expertise related to women’s rights and feminist programming.  This individual will work in close collaboration with colleagues in the International Programs Department as well as with a range of other stakeholders at Oxfam Canada, across the Oxfam Confederation, and with partners, and will represent Oxfam Canada in a range of spaces, both internally and externally. 

Women’s rights expertise and substantial coordination experience of women’s rights programs as well as strong financial and donor compliance, project management, process improvement, and interpersonal and influencing skills rooted within a global systems approach, will be key success factors for this position. 

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

Support to the International Programs Director

Compliance and Stewardship

• Advise on contractual agreements with donors, partners, Oxfam affiliates and consultants, and support thematic managers in contract negotiation and review. Provide recommendations using knowledge of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) polices and clauses, Canadian charity law and Oxfam policies and procedures
• Review and advise on consulting contracts, teaming agreements, concept notes, proposals, Terms of References, compliance or audit reports and other key documents to ensure organizational and programming standards are maintained.
• Ensure that Oxfam, donor and regulatory agency standards are adhered to consistently across the program and projects.
• Ensure that program and departmental risks are assessed regularly and appropriate mitigation plans are in place. 
• Provide advice and coaching to program managers and departmental staff on key programmatic issues.
• Document processes and procedures, propose policies, and implement process improvement initiatives in collaboration with finance and operations, and international programs colleagues to ensure effective grant stewardship.

Departmental management

• Provide leadership on key departmental processes in support of the director including: 
• Supporting the director to advance key strategic priorities, including leading on related initiatives.
• Maintain oversight of remuneration allocation tracking for budget and financial reporting purposes and enter/review budget data in Oxfam budget planning software.
• Collect, review and edit information from managers and departmental staff for a variety of purposes such as board reports, departmental and Oxfam updates.
• Prepare briefing notes and recommendations for the director as needed.
• Work with the Director to organize departmental meetings, retreats and learning events or trainings.
• Oversee consulting contracts providing department wide support
• Other tasks assigned by the director

Other accountabilities:

• Participate in the International Programs Department Management Team;
• Provide monitoring and analytical reports to the Senior Management Team and Board, as required;
• Ensures cross-departmental collaboration as needed and contribute to Oxfam Canada-wide strategic initiatives and operational projects as required;
• Represent Oxfam Canada in a range of Oxfam processes and spaces, including country and regional governance groups;
• Liaise with other departments in Oxfam Canada to promote linkages between the program and public fundraising, policy and campaigns and communications initiatives.
• Establish and maintain relationships with strategic partners, including with funders and with other stakeholders in the Oxfam confederation, and wider sector.

Roving Project Support:

• Working with the International Programs Director and unit Managers, Manager IPO will propose a process for collecting, analyzing and prioritizing position support and key tasks.
• With approval from the Director, the incumbent will complete these key tasks as defined and agreed upon

Some examples of tasks requiring support by this position, typically associated with open positions, could include:

• Coordinate the mid-year annual reporting and or work planning process for a project
• Recruit, contract and oversee a consultant providing project MEL support (e.g. evaluation, statistical analysis, surveys)
• Coordinate organization of an inception workshop or other project workshop
• Support the project accountant to review for quality, accuracy and variance explanations and submit financial report to donor and process cash requests for partners.
• Support Program Development team in developing a new concept note or proposal by inputting substantively into project logic model, PMF design, budget or other aspects as required.
• Lead initial project start up processes such as agreement drafting and negotiation, answering queries from the donor, project inception period budget development and initial partner meetings
• Temporarily lead a departmental unit, supervising staff, leading team meetings, carrying out 1-1 check ins with team members
• Support project close out processes and final reporting to the donor

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

• A University degree in a related field (political science, international development, women’s studies) is required. Relevant post-graduate degree and formal training in gender or grant management considered an asset.
• A strong understanding of women’s rights is required, and should be demonstrated through work experience and/or education.
• A minimum of seven (7) years international development experience is required, with at least three (3) years of overseas-based experience in managing large (multi-million) and complex donor-funded women’s rights programs. 
• A minimum of three (3) years of recent experience working on GAC funded development projects in a project management, grant management, compliance or similar role.
• Demonstrated experience with financial management and budget development of multi-million dollar programs is required.
• Collaborative working style, capable of achieving results through influence and persuasion with multiple stakeholders working within matrix-management accountability structures.
• Excellent skills in team coordination, ability to work with people in multiple geographies in a networked organization.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong organizational and administrative processes and systems, utilizing technology to the greatest advantage.
• Strong understanding of and proven commitment to gender equality and women’s rights, and values of social justice, active citizenship, international partnership and solidarity compatible with the mission, goals and strategies of Oxfam Canada.
• Process improvement and documentation experience an asset.
• Having demonstrated work experience in international development project monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, particularly in project evaluation, use of results-based-management and performance measurement framework/logic models is an asset.
• Demonstrated experience in managing a team of direct report professionals is an asset,
• Experience in conducting work-planning and performance management through a collaborative working style focused on achievement of results, and championing Oxfam values is an asset
• Excellent English language communications skills are required, both oral and written. Language skills in Spanish would be an asset.
• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Willingness to sign and abide by the Oxfam Code of Conduct

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.