Chief of Staff

Internal/External Posting Notice

Title: Chief of Staff

Department: Executive Directors Office

Status: Full-time non-union

Immediate Supervisor: Executive Director

Salary: $110000 - $130000

Level: Deputy Director

Application Deadline: October 4 2026or until a suitable candidate is found

Vacancy Type: Current Opening

Oxfam Canada is an affiliate of the internationalOxfam Confederationnetworked 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 womens 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. Thats why we believe that ending global poverty begins with womens 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 womens rights and share our values of Equality Empowerment Solidarity Inclusiveness Accountability and Courage we want you on our team!

SCOPE OF POSITION

The Chief of Staff works in close partnership with Oxfam Canadas Executive Director (ED) and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and in support of the Board of Directors to help the organization operate at its best. They translate priorities into action keep critical initiatives moving and make sure leadership attention and organizational energy are well directed. They play a central role in leading organizational strategy driving strategic initiatives nurturing a mission-driven organizational culture and advancing Oxfam Canadas commitment to growing as a feminist anti-racist and inclusive organization. This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable with big-picture thinking and taking initiative to get things done.

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

Lead organizational strategy planning and change management

• Own and drive the organizations strategic planning and annual operational planning cycle ensuring alignment between strategy and the global Oxfam confederation annual plans execution across departments and reporting ensuring quality coherence accountability and learning. Establish and manage a clear cadence for planning review and performance tracking.
• Lead change management for significant organizational transitions working with the ED and the SLT to develop structured approaches that include clear communication strategies stakeholder engagement plans and mechanisms to monitor staff experience and keep teams focused and accountable for mission delivery during transitions.
• Ensure effective flow of information insights and analysis to support leadership decision-making. Drive cross-organizational alignment by ensuring priorities are clearly defined sequenced and tracked to delivery.
• Lead and strengthen Oxfam Canadas organizational risk management function and support the SLT and Board in discharging their risk oversight responsibilities by tracking key risks surfacing emerging issues early and providing analysis scenario planning and recommendations on significant organizational risks.

Lead strategy to build a mission-driven organizational culture

• Translate organizational cultural commitments into concrete initiatives and ensure strong coordination between culture priorities and HR strategy systems and delivery.
• Drive initiatives that strengthen staff engagement team cohesion and shared commitment to the causes and communities we serve.
• In close coordination with the HR team and the SLT ensure HR strategy and systems reinforce staff engagement in service of the mission and support the recruitment and retention of diverse talent.
• Lead on internal communications strategy to support organizational alignment and culture.

Lead special projects and strategic initiatives

• Lead the design implementation and reporting of cross-cutting special projects that advance Oxfam Canadas organizational priorities as assigned by the ED. Serve as the EDs primary delegate for high-priority initiatives that require sustained senior leadership attention and cross-functional coordination. Establish clear project governance structures timelines accountabilities and success metrics for all special projects.
• Design and facilitate high-impact SLT meetings staff retreats and other strategic planning sessions.
• Serve as the senior organizational lead for privacy holding accountability for Oxfam Canadas privacy framework including the implementation and ongoing monitoring of privacy policy across all functions and departments. Ensure emerging privacy risks are identified and escalated appropriately and provide regular reporting to the ED and Board on privacy compliance and any significant privacy incidents or risks.

Support governance effectiveness and Board engagement

• Support the effectiveness of Oxfam Canadas governance structures and Board of Directors in close coordination with the Executive Director and Executive Coordinator. Support the planning coordination and quality assurance of Board and committee meetings including agenda development preparation of briefing materials and follow-up on Board decisions and action items.
• Partner with the ED to structure and deepen Board engagement ensuring Board members are well-informed appropriately consulted and able to fulfill their governance responsibilities. Identify opportunities to strengthen Board governance practices committee structures and Director recruitment onboarding and development.

Drive progress on Oxfam Canadas commitment to grow as a feminist anti-racist and inclusive organization

• Lead organization-wide anti-racism JEDI and decolonization strategy and execution ensuring integration and accountability across all departments and functions. Translate Oxfam Canadas commitments into clear plans metrics and outcomes.
• Ensure consistent high-quality reporting and engagement with the Board on anti-racism JEDI and decolonization progress and priorities.

Additional responsibilities:

• Act as a strategic advisor and thought partner to the ED.
• On behalf of the ED act as a central coordination point across SLT removing bottlenecks clarifying accountabilities and accelerating delivery on strategic initiatives.
• Directly supervise the Executive Coordinator providing day-to-day direction and performance management to ensure seamless operational support to the Executive Directors Office.
• Represent the organization in external engagements as required to advance priorities and partnerships.

Other duties as required.

REQUIRED EXPERIENCE KNOWLEDGE & COMPETENCIES:

Education and experience

• University degree in a relevant field; a masters degree in international development/affairs public policy law business non-profit management organizational leadership or a related discipline is an asset. Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.
• A minimum of 10 years of progressively senior experience in organizational leadership and management including at least five years in a senior management role with responsibility for strategy planning and teams. Candidates from diverse professional backgrounds are welcomed including the non-profit public and private sectors; experience in the international development social justice or human rights sector is a strong asset.
• Experience working within unionized environments including familiarity with collective agreements and labour relations is an asset.
• Strong experience in strategic and operational planning performance management and reporting. Demonstrated experience in organizational risk management including risk reporting to senior leadership and Boards.
• Demonstrated success driving execution in complex mission-driven organizations.
• Significant experience supporting or working with Boards of Directors and/or governance bodies including preparation of Board materials and support for governance effectiveness.
• Strong knowledge of and experience with best practices in anti-racism justice equity diversity and inclusion.
• Track record building purpose-driven organizational cultures.
• Proven track record of leading cross-functional special projects and strategic initiatives from design through delivery. Proven ability to influence across functions and lead without direct authority.
• Proven track record in building and maintaining positive relationships within an organization and externally.

Skills and attributes

• Highly strategic with strong execution discipline; able to move from vision to delivery.
• Decisive agile and action-oriented; agile. Able to read a situation quickly make sound decisions with imperfect information and bring clarity and momentum to complex situations without waiting to be asked.
• Meticulous attention to detail; produces work of consistently high quality and catches what others miss without letting perfectionism slow delivery.
• Exceptional organizational prioritization and project management skills.
• Strong facilitation and alignment-building capability across diverse teams and functions.
• Clear concise communicator with strong judgment and political acuity.
• Demonstrated personal commitment to social justice human rights feminist principles and anti-racism reflected in professional choices lived experience or community engagement.
• Ability to inspire and motivate teams including by leading and working in a cross-organizational and cross-functional manner.
• Ability to inspire respect and trust and balance confident leadership with a willingness to listen and learn.
• Ability to operate effectively in complexity and ambiguity.
• Strong English verbal and written communication skills; French or Spanish an asset.
• Ability to travel in Canada and internationally on occasion as needed.
• High integrity discretion and accountability; willingness to sign and abide by Oxfams Code of Conduct.

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 dont 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 ourAnti-Racism and Anti-Oppression Principles (ARAO) ourFeminist Principles and oursix core values:Equality Empowerment Solidarity Inclusiveness Accountability and Courage.OurStrategic Framework 2021-2025has a commitment to grow as a feminist diverse and inclusive organization. To that end we have created anAnti-Racism JEDI and Decolonization Strategy 2023-2025with a vision tobecome 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 fromwomen 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 ator. We are committed to providing accommodations to meet your Canada has an accommodation policy for persons with disabilities. The job posting is available in alternate formats.

At Oxfam Canada we are committed to fair transparent and human-centered recruitment and selection practices. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) in any stage of our recruitment or selection processes currently. All decisions are made by trained human personnel.

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 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.

Required Experience:

Senior IC