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CARE Canada is looking for a Director, Gender Justice and Impact (12-month parental leave cover)
The Director, Gender Justice and Impact plays an integral role in CARE Canada’s Global Programs Department, providing leadership, vision and strategic direction for CARE Canada’s Gender Justice and Impact and within that, the Gender Equality and Inclusion program portfolio and strategy as aligned with Vision 2030 and the CI Gender Equality Impact Area. With gender at the center of all of CARE Canada’s work, this role plays a critical role in Global Programs (GP), providing strategic direction to CARE Canada’s programming while also supporting the organization to ensure that gender equality and inclusion are at the heart of the organization. Additionally, this role plays a key role in CARE Canada’s new business development and philanthropic activities, advancing the development of new opportunities with institutional and private sector donors. This role will guide CARE Canada’s partnership with the private sector, furthering the development of opportunities to integrate gender equality and inclusion considerations and solutions into their work. In addition, with the support of the gender equality and inclusion team, this role also leads on behalf of the CARE International Confederation, the Women’s Voice and Leadership sub-impact area. This role therefore plays a significant leadership role in the operationalization and implementation of the CARE International Gender Equality Impact Area more broadly as part of the gender leadership team, working collaboratively to deliver on the sub-impact area outcomes while also navigating existing challenges and co-creating a ‘space’ that is future fit to steward CARE Canada’s broader work in gender equality and inclusion .
Reporting to the Chief Programs Officer, this role will lead the Gender Justice and Impact Team, which includes the GEI and Gender Based Violence (GBV), Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) and Environment and Climate Technical Teams, ensuring a cohesive team that delivers on CARE Canada’s Strategic objectives related to feminist partnership, gender equality and inclusion programming quality, strategy and impact. The role plays a critical part in sustaining and growing CARE Canada’s technical leadership, both within the CARE Confederation and externally—particularly with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the private sector and other sector peers—through knowledge management, thought leadership, and strategic partnerships.
This position holds organizational and sectoral influence by:
- Leading the development and execution of CARE Canada’s technical strategies and operational plans on gender equality and inclusion programming quality, strategy and impact.
- Co-leading the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) sub-impact area and contributing to the Gender Justice Impact Area within CARE International.
- Supporting high-quality program design and implementation across CARE Canada’s portfolio.
- Advancing feminist partnership and locally led approaches in collaboration with women’s rights organizations.
- Providing technical contributions to business development efforts and funding strategies.
- Building out CARE Canada’s GEI-private sector service offering and solutions
- Building organizational capacity through training, systems, and knowledge management.
This role collaborates closely with program management, program design and development (PDD), philanthropy, revenue and marketing, matrix teams, advocacy and the Executive Office at CARE Canada. In addition, it also works closely with CARE USA Women and Girls Protection Team, non-CARE USA CARE Member Partners and the CI Secretariat.
The role is technical manager and leads a technical team of experts on GEI/GBV, MEAL and environment and climate action. They are an expert in gender equality, inclusion and have expertise in leading efforts and designing programming (for institutional and private sector funders) to advance gender transformative programming, feminist programming, locally led solutions and to overcome injustice and inequality. They also have experience in supporting and motivating their staff, guiding, supporting, and developing their team members to achieve both individual and collective goals.
They hold key external relationships with peers, in learning spaces and with GAC and other major funders and the private sector. They play a key role representing CARE Canada, CARE International and contribute to CARE Canada’s advocacy and influencing strategy and objectives. They are part of the Global Programs Management Team (GPMT) working with GP leadership supporting a vibrant, dedicated team to deliver on its objectives while ensuring a collaborative and inclusive work culture. With gender equality at the center of CARE’s work, they are also part of the Senior Leadership Team, supporting the organizational initiatives, policy and commitments to an inclusive workplace.
- Minimum of 7-10 years experience in designing and implementing GEI programming, organizational leadership and strategy
- Minimum of 3 years of experience cultivating and advancing partnership with the private sector in areas related to gender equality, inclusion, and/or climate change with some experience in gender lens investing
- Master’s degree in International Development, Gender Studies, or in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and work experience.
- Significant senior advisory experience in designing and implementing gender equality and inclusion specific and integrated programming in various thematic areas and locations
- Significant senior advisory experience in reporting for results related to gender transformative programming across thematic areas and locations
- Deep knowledge of programming designed to address social norms change, injustice and inequality with the goal of reaching gender transformative objectives
- Deep knowledge of feminist partnership programming and the ability to advance feminist partnership approaches as part of a locally-led strategy
- A talent for people management of large teams, excellent team building skills and an aptitude for getting high performance from staff and building effective cross team working relationships,
- Ability and experience working collaboratively in a matrix management, and supporting direct reports to do the same,
- Track record of high resilience under pressure and ability to support and motivate teams in these situations,
- High political acumen and excellent representational skills, including high-level advocacy and communications,
- Well-developed written and oral communications skills with high level experience in representation, negotiation, training.
- Proximity to Ottawa to attend in-person meetings with Government leaders and officials preferred
- Experience working in a complex Confederation or Federation
- Experience with monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning
- Fluency in French
This position requires an individual who is a proven strategic thinker and people leader of sizeable teams at a senior level, and who is comfortable managing a global team(s) of diverse individuals in a matrixed management environment. A commitment to team growth and helping them develop to their highest potential is essential. They must have significant experience and a thorough understanding of CARE International, and the current global landscape related to gender equality and inclusion. They must also possess significant experience with feminist partnership, new business development and the Government of Canada’s funding mechanisms and other donors, as well as experience building networks with external and internal stakeholders including the private sector. Expertise advancing partnership with the private sector is also required.
Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust and safety.
Create an environment within CARE's workplaces, programming, and communities where CARE works that is free from sexual harassment, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation and child abuse (SHEA-CA).
Ensure high standards of prevention and response measures for SHEA-CA are in place consistent with the CARE International (CI) Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Code of Conduct.
- Starting annual salary between $140,000 - $150,000
- Comprehensive benefits package, providing family coverage for a wide range of services, including paramedical services, gender-affirming care, mental health support, and access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
- Paid annual and wellness leave benefits
- Extended list of paid holidays, beyond provincial requirements
- December Office Closure (between December 24-January 1)
- Inclusive holiday policy
- Parental leave top-up
- Employer contributions to group pension plan beginning in 2nd Year; Optional participation in group RRSP
- International and domestic travel opportunities
- Annual all-staff retreat
- Learning and development opportunities and specialized training
- Flexible work hours to support employee wellbeing and productivity
- A focus on wellness and work-life balance
- Amazing colleagues who are very committed to CARE’s mission
If you are someone who thrives on challenge, loves to be part of a dynamic team and are passionate about making a difference, then this opportunity is for you! Don’t think you check all the boxes? Reach out anyway – we would love to hear how your experience translates to this role!
Please apply directly by June 8, 2026. Please note resumes will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the advertisement will be removed once a candidate has been identified. We are only able to consider candidates who currently have the right to work in Canada.
CARE Canada is committed to employment equity, welcomes diversity in the workplace and encourages applications from all qualified applicants. Recruitment-related accommodations for persons with disabilities are available on request.
CARE Canada does not use artificial intelligence tools to screen, assess, or select applicants at any stage of the recruitment process. All application reviews and hiring decisions are conducted by our amazing people. AI tools may be used in drafting communication, editing or interview question sourcing from time to time.
As part of CARE Canada's commitment to preventing sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, we conduct reference checks on all final stage candidates in line with the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. By applying to this role with CARE Canada, you are giving us consent to contact your previous employers to seek information in line with this scheme.
