Senior Program Officer

If you are looking for a career opportunity, want to give meaning to your professional achievements and contribute to making the world a better place by playing a part in international development, and are passionate about finding solutions to more inclusive and nutritious food systems in the global south , the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is the place for you!

IDRC is home to people who share a passion for international development research. We look for employees who believe that knowledge and innovation can help solve the world’s most critical challenges. Guided by the values of Respect, Accountability, and Intention, IDRC fosters collaboration to create meaningful and inclusive change. Please visit our website to learn more about our work: What We Do

Come join our team in the Climate-Resilient Food Systems Program Division and help us build a more sustainable and inclusive world!

Our employment opportunity of the moment: Senior Program Officer

Location: Ottawa, Canada (Hybrid Mode*)

Employment Status: Temporary - 24 months

At IDRC, your work goes beyond a job—it’s an opportunity to create meaningful global change while thriving in an environment that values collaboration, innovation, and care. Whether you’re an emerging professional eager to launch your career or an experienced leader driving systemic change, IDRC provides the platform to turn purpose into action.

• Make an Impact: Contribute to initiatives addressing the world’s most critical challenges, from inclusive governance to climate resilience.

• Grow and Thrive: Access personalized learning opportunities, career development resources, and supportive mentorship.

• Collaborate Globally: Work alongside diverse colleagues and partners, bridging local insights with global strategies to deliver meaningful outcomes.

• Enjoy Comprehensive Benefits: Experience work-life balance with flexible work arrangements, generous leave policies, robust health coverage, and retirement plans. Learn more about our benefits on the IDRC Careers page.

Step Into the Opportunity:

As Senior Program Officer, you will be joining an organization that values and models diversity, inclusion, and equity, while being responsible for:

• Providing intellectual advice for areas of the Program connected to your specialized knowledge.

• Developing, monitoring, managing, and evaluating research projects.

• Assessing proposals, including conceptual, methodological, operational, evaluative, and financial aspects, and identifying and developing research proposals in accordance with the Centre policies.

• Managing the preparation of contracts and grant letters, analysis of financial statements, adjustment of budgets and schedules, and project closures.

• Collaborating at the Centre-wide level with different stakeholders and contributing to knowledge dissemination and utilisation.

Take a minute to see if your profile fits IDRC:

You Have the Following Qualifications and Experience:

• Education Pathways:

  • A Ph.D with a minimum of three (3) years or a master’s degree with a minimum of five (5) years of study and work in the fields of public health nutrition and food systems.

• Language Proficiency:

  • Proficiency in both French and English (reading, writing, and speaking) is required.

• Relevant Professional Experience:

  • Must have recent, cumulative experience in managing large-scale research programmes involving multiple stakeholders.

  • Experience in the preparation and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) frameworks and synthesis of programme-level results.

  • Work experience in a developing country.

• Key strengths for Success:

  • Excellent knowledge of the current debates and research agendas relating to the nutrition transition globally, especially in the global south, challenges and opportunities for population health through food systems change, and the drivers of inequality in nutrition and health outcomes related to food systems.

NB:

• **Cumulative, Relevant Experience: This includes all professional work in areas such as public health nutrition and food systems. This experience may have been gained through full-time, part-time, or project-based roles, provided meaningful contributions are demonstrated.

• **Recent Experience: Refers to work completed within the past three (3) to five (5) years, ensuring that candidates' skills and expertise are current and applicable.

How You Thrive?

You Are:

• Aligned with the IDRC’s culture and value statements: At IDRC we are respectful, intentional and accountable.

• A skilled leader with strong interpersonal and communications skills.

• Competent in project management, problem-solving and facilitating collaborative and transdisciplinary research.

• A team player within a multidisciplinary group of people from diverse cultures.

• Sensitive to the importance of gender equity, inclusion, and diversity within research.

• Known for your abilities to provide specialized advice and guidance to professional partnerships.

If this sounds like the right fit, we’d love to hear from you!

Additional Information:

• For more details on the primary duties and responsibilities, view Job Details .

• *Hybrid Mode: The Centre provides a hybrid work environment, and your presence at the office is governed by the teleworking policy.

• As a result of this process, the Centre may establish a pool of pre-qualified candidates for future permanent and term opportunities requiring the same competencies.

How to Apply:

We are excited to learn more about you! To apply for this position:

• Prepare Your Application: Ensure your resume highlights your cumulative professional experience, particularly in areas relevant to the role.

• Craft a Tailored Cover Letter: Share how your skills, expertise, experience, and values align with IDRC’s mission and this specific opportunity.

Our recruitment team carefully reviews all applications to identify candidates who best align with the role’s criteria. If selected, you will hear from us regarding the next steps in the process. We thank all applicants for their interest and encourage you to stay connected with IDRC for future opportunities.

Your next chapter begins here. Let’s shape a brighter, more inclusive future together.

Your Work, Your Growth, Your Impact—Together, We Build a Better World.