Job opportunity – Senior Program Officer

Be a part of positive social change

Imagine working for an organization whose primary mission is to advance equality, social justice and respect for human dignity. Imagine that your work aligns with your personal values and that you participate every day in creating positive social change through transformative human rights education programs. Alongside 40 like-minded colleagues in Canada and partners around the world, you could help empower people to address inequality and discrimination, and work to build more inclusive and rights-respecting communities with Equitas.

 

The Opportunity

Equitas is looking for a motivated Senior Program Officer with solid experience in program management and a strong commitment to human rights, equality, and inclusion. The Senior Program Officer is responsible for the strategic development and overall management of a portfolio of programs, including the planning, implementation, and evaluation of projects under their responsibility.

Under the supervision of the Senior Manager – international trainings, the person in this role will work in complex and sometimes sensitive regional contexts. They will ensure ongoing analysis of socio-political and institutional dynamics, including risk management, develop and maintain strategic partnerships, and represent Equitas to stakeholders. The position requires a proven ability to work in intercultural environments and to adopt a co-construction approach with local partners.

 

Tasks and Responsibilities

Strategic program development

• Lead the strategic development of the assigned program portfolio, in accordance with Equitas’ strategic and annual plans.
• Oversee the annual portfolio planning and budgeting process, ensuring consistency between projects and efficient resource allocation.
• Lead participatory project design processes: contextual research and analysis, consultations with partners, development of concept notes and funding proposals, negotiations with donors, and budget development.
• Develop, maintain and strengthen a network of relationships with local and international partners, donors, government institutions, NGOs, and other key stakeholders.
• Ensure continuous contextual monitoring (human rights, socio-political dynamics, security, situation of human rights defenders) and identify, analyze, and monitor risks and appropriate mitigation strategies.

Project implementation, monitoring, and evaluation

• For the program portfolio under their responsibility, the person will:
• Lead planning and implementation meetings to ensure consistency and timely delivery of projects
• Work closely with the Impact and Innovation Unit, interns, volunteers, external consultants, and in consultation with the partner(s), on all aspects of project design and implementation.
• Be responsible for monitoring risks, including security issues for the programs under their responsibility, and identifying mitigation strategies.
• Collaborate on the analysis of monitoring and evaluation data and be responsible for validating and submitting narrative and financial reports to donors and internal stakeholders.

Fundraising and donor relations

• Establish and maintain good relationships with existing donors and support the Impact and Innovation unit in actively seeking new funding opportunities.
• Support the development and implementation of the fundraising strategy for your program portfolio or country/sub-region.

Financial management

• Ensure effective financial management of all program activities and report to donors.
• Consolidate the annual program portfolio budget, activity budgets, and funding proposal budgets in close consultation with the Operations Unit.
• Participate in the negotiation of human resource allocation to the various projects that make up a program as an integral part of budget development.

 Support communication and development activities and knowledge sharing

• Work with the Impact and Innovation unit to develop a communication strategy and plans for the program portfolio for which you are responsible.
• Contribute to the documentation of good practices and the implementation of knowledge sharing strategies.

Organizational support

• Contribute to the development of Equitas’ annual plan by identifying activities and priorities related to their program.
• Actively participate in and support the processes of the Human Rights Education Programs unit (planning and follow-up meetings, team-building activities, etc.) and organizational processes (planning and budgeting processes, staff meetings, etc.).
• Perform other duties as determined in consultation with the Senior Manager – international trainings.

 

Who your are

You are passionate about human rights and social justice. You are motivated by and strongly believe in Equitas’ mission, vision, and values. You are motivated by challenges and have proven experience in advocacy and long-term partnership management, as well as in developing project proposals. You have excellent communication skills in French and English.

What is essential for the role

• Ability to work in Canada
• Knowledge of and deep commitment to human rights, including human rights education and/or social justice issues.
• Undergraduate degree in a related field such as political science, social studies, international development, etc.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in program management, international development, human rights, or related fields.
• Proven experience in project development, fundraising, and managing relationships with institutional donors is an asset
• Work experience in the NGO sector is an asset.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in French and English
• Fluency in Arabic is an asset.
• Strong information management skills (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

 

What We Offer

• We offer the opportunity to be part of a diverse and committed team that contributes significantly, in its own way, to positive social change in Canada and around the world.
• We value self-care, inclusion, and empathy toward all team members and place a high priority on work-life balance. In addition to vacation time, we offer two weeks of time off at the end of the year.
• Learning is at the heart of what we do. We offer all employees the opportunity to participate in learning committees based on their interests and to be part of a corporate culture that constantly strives for improvement and innovation. We believe in trust and openness and offer a flexible work environment.
• We believe in creating space for everyone to lead and offer opportunities within our governance structure to allow individuals, regardless of their role, to seize leadership opportunities.
• We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes a competitive salary for the NGO sector, 3 weeks of paid vacation (4 weeks after 3 years), paid personal days, medical, dental, and life insurance, a group RRSP, and much more!

Join us!

Given the nature of our work, Equitas strongly encourages applications from any candidates who have experienced marginalization, in particular, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, 2SLGBTQI+ people, and people living with disabilities. Candidates who wish to do so may self-identify in their application.  

At Equitas, we do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, violence, or abuse of any form. All employment offers are conditional on the signing of Equitas’ Human Resources Policy, our Policy on Preventing Sexual Violence, Harassment and Discrimination, and satisfactory references. 

Equitas thanks all applicants for their interest. However, only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. 

For further information about Equitas consult our website’s Who we are section at equitas.org 

How to Apply?

Please send one attachment (cover letter and resume) with your name and the job title Senior Program Officer in the subject line by April 29, 2026 (applications will be reviewed as they are received) to rhequitas@equitas.org