Employment Type: Permanent, Full time

Location: Ottawa, Canada – Hybrid

Submission Date: April 24th, 2026

Salary: CAD $130,000 - $140,000

About us

At Nutrition International, we make a difference, because nutrition is the difference.

Woven into the very fabric of our approach is the passion and drive of our global team of over 600 people, working in 13 offices across 11 countries with one common goal: transforming the lives of people who need it most through improved nutrition.

If you are a motivated and passionate individual who shares our conviction that a better world is possible through improved nutrition, wants to leave the world a little better than they found it, and is looking to be part of a global team with a clear vision, we want to hear from you. Please consider applying for the position below.

Know our team

Nutrition International’s Programs Unit is responsible for ensuring the efficient and effective delivery of Nutrition International’s core program interventions including program development, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and reporting, and grant management, including setting annual operational planning, budgeting, and review processes. The unit comprises a global team of professionals located in our 10 core countries across Asia, Africa and our headquarters in Ottawa, Canada. Currently, Nutrition International is seeking applications for a Director of Gender & Learning to be based in Ottawa, Canada, working hybrid 2 days/week in-office.

About you

You are someone with an advanced degree in Gender Studies, Public Health/Epidemiology, Nutrition, International Development, or a related field. A PhD would be a significant asset. You have 15 years of experience in international development or humanitarian contexts, with significant expertise in nutrition, gender equality, and MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning). You have a proven track record in gender integration, program evaluation, and organizational learning within nutrition and health-focused programs.

You have strong knowledge of mixed-methods evaluation, feminist approaches, adaptive management, and knowledge management. You have a demonstrated ability to design and implement gender-responsive and evidence-based strategies. You are proficient in data analytics –statistics and both quantitative and qualitative analysis software, and have a strong understanding of data management and MIS. You have exceptional analytical, facilitation, and communication skills, and you can engage stakeholders and build capacity across teams.

Fluency in English is required. French working proficiency will be considered a strong asset.

About the role

In this role you will:

Strategic leadership & Alignment

• Provide vision and oversight for gender equality and learning strategies, ensuring full integration with the organization’s global MEAL framework and alignment with organizational priorities and international standards.
• Design and execute gender-responsive evaluation and learning strategies that strengthen program quality, inform adaptive management, and meet donor and organizational requirements.

Technical, Programmatic and Operational Oversight

• Lead and oversee the design of tools and support implementation of gender-responsive programs and policies, and ensure gender considerations are embedded in program design, monitoring, and evaluation frameworks.
• Oversee the integration of gender equality into all Nutrition International’s programs and projects, ensuring relevance, evidence-based effectiveness and impact.
• Provide technical advice and support on gender mainstreaming and specific gender issues.
• Contribute to the development of gender-responsive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks to measure and drive impact.

Monitoring, Data Quality and Program Evaluation

• Ensure evaluation frameworks are integrated throughout the project cycle for all NI programming and grants—from design to close-out and aligned with organizational MEAL standards and donor compliance requirements.
• Promote real-time and utilization-focused evaluations based on routine monitoring to inform adaptive management and improve program effectiveness, and ensure evaluation findings feed into monitoring systems and inform program adjustments.
• Ensure monitoring and program evaluation frameworks incorporate gender equality and social inclusion principles.
• Ensure gender and social inclusion principles are mainstreamed in program design, monitoring, and evaluation frameworks.
• Design, implement, and continuously improve gender integration into MEAL systems, including performance measurement plans, to track progress toward gender equality objectives and outcomes. This includes leading technical guidance on gender-sensitive indicators and data collection tools.
• Lead and oversee gender analysis and ensure findings inform program design and implementation

Learning

• Co-lead with the Global Director of MDL and Gender the development, coordination and operationalization of a Learning Strategy at the organizational level and within the Global MEAL Strategy
• Work with teams to establish high-level Learning and Evaluation Agendas at the Portfolio level for all grants
• Establish protocols, systems and processes for capturing and synthesizing learning across projects, portfolios and country programs, and sharing lessons learned, including documentation, analysis of program data, and dissemination of best practices to inform program adaptation and
• Facilitate learning reviews, “pause and reflect” sessions and knowledge-sharing platforms to drive continuous improvement and dissemination of lessons learned internally within programs and across the organization to ensure cohesive, continuous learning and evidence uptake and knowledge sharing.

Team Leadership, Coordination & Capacity Building

• Lead, motivate, and mentor a diverse, cross-cultural global team, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment and providing intellectual guidance and technical support to embed gender-responsive approaches and evidence-based learning across all programs.
• Build organizational capacity for gender-responsive and evidence-based programming through training, mentorship, and systems strengthening.
• Train and mentor all staff and partners where needed and relevant on gender integration and gender-responsive approaches, evaluation methodologies, data analysis, and adaptive learning practices.
• Provide ongoing technical oversight and capacity-building support to the global gender team.

Stakeholder engagement

• Collaborate with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to promote learning and adapt programming based on evidence and data.
• Represent the organization in global forums on gender and gender-responsive nutrition programming aligned with NI’s goals and strategy.

Occasional travel is expected.

What we offer

A competitive market pay, 4-7% company matched pension, $2,500 professional development allowance, $500 health & wellness allowance, health and dental benefits, four weeks of vacation (plus public holidays) and other leave, and flexible work hours. We offer a collaborative and engaging work environment.

Selected candidates must have current legal entitlement to work in Canada. We thank you for your interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Nutrition International is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to an inclusive, equitable and accessible work environment. Upon request, accommodations due to a disability are available throughout the selection process.

Nutrition International upholds a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH). Following the principles of the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, reference checks will include safeguarding verifications with previous employers. By applying to this position, candidates acknowledge and consent to these reference checks being conducted with previous employers.

Please note that all our offers are conditional subject to appropriate screening checks and satisfactory reference checks.

For more detailed information about the role, please click on the attached Job Description. Please click on the Apply button below to submit your application.