Gender Justice Specialist

Internal/External Posting Notice

Title:                                          Gender Justice Specialist                           

Department:                              International Programs

Status:                                       Full-time, unionized

Location:                                   Ottawa, ON Canada                    

Immediate Supervisor:              Manager, International Programs  

Salary:                                       $71,937 - $93,410

Level:                                         Band 3  

Application Deadline:                December 24, 2024 

Join Our Team & Discover Rewarding Opportunities

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 Manager, International Programs, the Gender Justice Specialist will act as a women’s rights and gender justice (WR/GJ) focal point to support Oxfam program quality and impact. The Specialist will provide thematic expertise in multiple areas of Women’s Rights programs to support a designated portfolio of women’s rights/gender justice programming to ensure quality through best practice approaches. The Specialist supports program development and fundraising efforts to grow Oxfam's programming in this area and engages in influencing through expertise and thought leadership.

In addition to thematic expertise, the Specialist ensures OCA’s continued leadership as an expert in knowledge sharing for impact, making resources and knowledge related to WR/GJ accessible to program staff; producing evidence-based and user-friendly publications and communications materials; and leading action research initiatives related to Oxfam Canada programs.

The Specialist has expertise in three or more of the following thematic areas: Women’s Economic Empowerment (including paid and unpaid Care work), Women’s Transformative Leadership, Gender-based Violence, Gender in Emergencies (putting women at the centre of humanitarian action), Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Gender and Climate Justice.

Some international travel will be required.

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

• Lead and support knowledge-sharing and learning through:

  • The provision of technical assistance to project teams, including strengthening the capacity of country teams and/or project partners on feminist research methodologies, applying feminist knowledge strategies and learning plans – in accordance with international best practices.
  • Leading the coordination of research initiatives related to projects that aim to generate evidence, expand influence and improve quality in a collaborative way.
  • Contributing to the curation of an evidence base in support of OCA’s various thematic Theories of Change (TOC) and adjusting the TOCs based on new evidence.
  • Supporting learning and knowledge sharing, including with technology, in both virtual and in-person settings; moderating discussions and exchanges; networking with and convening a variety of stakeholders; organizing multi-stakeholder learning events; optimizing the use of virtual platforms as knowledge-sharing and problem-solving spaces.
  • Working collaboratively with FD to share results and/or key research from projects to support fundraising efforts from the general public.

• Collaborate with other Oxfam specialists in developing and implementing a cross-department feminist knowledge-sharing and learning agenda.

• Produce compelling publications, including briefs, editorials and reports, with a judicious mix of facts, analysis, and stories based on the learnings emerging from the development and humanitarian project portfolio that meet Oxfam editorial, quality and brand standards.

• Contribute to healthy portfolio development including strategy development, and writing and reviewing concept notes and proposals, with a particular focus on ensuring strong WR/GJ integration.

• Provide analysis and content, as well as scope and seize opportunities to demonstrate Oxfam's value-added and consistent messaging with external audiences, such as governments, the private sector, the public, the media, and the aid community, through publications, media, and events.

• Provide thematic expertise and support OCA's engagement in relevant internal and external policy spaces and initiatives.

• Participate in relevant Oxfam institutional and working groups, ensuring positive contributions to One Oxfam vision and goals.

• Engage in organizational processes including team and departmental meetings, and cross-organizational working groups and committees as assigned.

• During project start-up periods or brief staffing gaps, the Specialist may be asked to support urgent project requirements typically fulfilled by Program Officers.

• Other duties as required.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE & COMPETENCIES:

• Post-graduate degree in a related field (political science, international development, women's studies).

• A minimum of five years’ work experience in international development and/or women’s rights and gender equality; at least 3 years of related overseas work experience required.

• Strong analytical understanding and demonstrated experience/knowledge in women's rights and feminist programming, policy and influencing required.

• Advanced knowledge and experience leading and/or supporting knowledge and learning initiatives or acting as an advisor or specialist on at least three thematic gender areas. The combined work experience in these areas should be at least three years, with a minimum of one year in each thematic area that counts as one of the three thematic areas. The areas of advanced gender justice knowledge and experience may include: Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, Women’s Economic Empowerment (including Care work), Women’s Transformative Leadership, Gender-based Violence, Gender in Emergencies (putting women at the centre of humanitarian action) and Gender and Climate Justice.

• Demonstrated capacity for strong, persuasive analytical writing required; ability to assess the writing of others; record of past publications an asset; a creative and innovative approach to communications is an asset.

• Excellent research skills, including applying a feminist lens to quantitative and qualitative methods required.

• Demonstrated capacity to manage multi-country research projects, working with a variety of institutional stakeholders.

• Strong listening, facilitating, and communication skills, as well as familiarity with participatory adult learning methodologies, consistent with the convening and connecting responsibilities of the position.

• Demonstrated commitment to global justice, gender equality and social change.

• Fluency in English is required.

• Strong computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, electronic mail and database systems.

• Strong project manager, results-focused, meets deliverables and timelines.

• Demonstrated capacity to work in a self-directed manner in a team-based setting, and to work effectively in a wide range of cultural and political settings.

• Willingness to sign and abide by the Oxfam Code of Conduct.

• Demonstrated commitment to feminism, anti-racism, justice, equity, diversity and inclusion.

• Ability to travel internationally, occasionally to remote locations in difficult conditions.

Asset Qualification:

• Previous experience supporting WR/GJ-focused program development initiatives, particularly for institutional donors.
• Previous experience or involvement in providing WR/GJ thematic support and guidance to country teams and country programs in support of improved program quality.
• Previous experience in capacity-strengthening and organizational development from a feminist approach.
• Ability to analyze and communicate complex program information to a wide range of audiences; ability to design effective learning activities; experience in technology-supported knowledge sharing.
• Experience with applied or operational research is a strong asset;
• Ability to distill research into “knowledge for practice” a strong asset.
• Excellent written and spoken skills in French, Portuguese and/or Spanish.

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!

** MUST be eligible to work in Canada ** 

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 CAN-TEAM-HR@oxfam.org  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.

For additional career opportunities, visit oxfam.ca/employment-opportunities. Please note that we do not 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.