Program specialist Jobs in Ottawa, ON

Title: Program Manager, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health

Location: Ottawa, Canada – Hybrid ; also open for candidates based across East Coast region.

Submission Date: September 20, 2026 (Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis)

Salary: CAD $95,000 - $105,000

About us

Nutrition International (NI) is a global nutrition organization working to transform the lives of millions of people by improving nutrition and strengthening health systems. NI works with governments, partners, and communities to deliver evidence-based nutrition interventions and strengthen systems that enable people to access and benefit from essential health and nutrition services.

NI is currently implementing an ambitious implementation research grant to operationalize improvements to the continuum of care that targets under-2 mortality rates in Pakistan and Ethiopia. The project will generate and apply evidence on how child survival and maternal and child health and nutrition interventions can be effectively integrated, delivered, monitored, and sustained within existing health systems. The project involves coordination among multiple country teams, technical disciplines, research activities, local implementation partners, and cross-portfolio stakeholders at NI.

If you’re motivated in a dynamic working environment, have extensive program management experience in the international development sector, are an adept communicator and have a solutions mind-set, we want to hear from you.

About the role

Program Manager will serve as the central coordination point across our global and country teams, technical/research leads, finance, and monitoring, data and learning teams, with responsibility for keeping the project on track. In this role you will :

· Assist staff in Manage processes for complex project startup, delivery, procurement, and reporting across target geographies. Maintain and monitor the overall project implementation plan, including milestones, deliverables, and dependencies.

· Ensure project activities remain aligned with workplans and the implementation model design. Establish and maintain effective project management systems, trackers, dashboards, decision logs, meeting notes, and reporting calendars.

· Proactively identify delays, bottlenecks, risks, and interdependencies requiring senior management attention.

· Work with country and technical teams to develop and monitor the project risk register and implement risk mitigation measures. Administer grant coordination and reporting activities across NI portfolios and support quality assurance processes for deliverables.

· Coordinate periodic project performance reviews and facilitate reflection on progress, challenges, and lessons.

· Serve as the primary Ottawa-based coordination focal point for project implementation across Pakistan and Ethiopia.

· Establish effective communication and coordination mechanisms across global and country teams. Coordinate regular cross-country project meetings and ensure that decisions, action items, responsibilities, and deadlines are documented and followed up.

· Maintain a consolidated view of project progress, resource requirements, and upcoming milestones across both countries. Serve as the primary Ottawa-based coordination focal point with our Partnerships & Growth team to produce high-quality donor reports, updates and other deliverables.

· Work closely with the finance team to develop and closely monitor project budgets and forecasts. Track expenditure against approved budgets and workplans across both countries.

· Identify significant variances, under-/overspending, and emerging financial risks and facilitate corrective action. Coordinate budget revisions and reforecasting processes as required.

· Ensure project expenditures are aligned with approved activities and donor requirements. Support timely financial reporting and reconciliation with programmatic progress.

For more detailed information about the role, please click on the attached Job Description

Requirements

About you

You will have a Master's degree in public health, international development, health systems, nutrition, project management, social sciences, business administration, or a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Minimum 7-10 years managing large, complex international development programs, preferably within global health, nutrition, health systems, implementation research, or international development.

Experience managing donor-funded grants of similar scale and complexity from institutional and private donors.

Strong experience in project management, including financial management, budgeting, reporting, and ensuring compliance with donor requirements

Strong problem-solving and solutions-oriented approach, with the ability to anticipate challenges, identify options, and drive timely resolution.

Strong facilitation skills, including the ability to lead effective meetings, drive decisions, and ensure accountability for follow-up actions.

Self-directed and proactive, with the ability to work independently while maintaining strong collaboration with global and country teams.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English are required.

Benefits

What we offer

A competitive market pay, pension, professional development allowance, 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.

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.

Selected candidates must have current legal entitlement to work in Canada. Please note that all our offers are conditional subject to appropriate screening checks and satisfactory reference checks.

How to apply?

Nutrition International is committed to an inclusive, barrier-free work environment and encourages applications from all qualified individuals.

To apply please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button to submit your application.

The closing date for receiving applications is September 20, 2026. Please note that the applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position may be closed once a suitable candidate is identified.

Selected candidates must have current legal entitlement to work in Canada. Kindly note that apart from the interviews, shortlisted candidates are also expected to complete written assessment, which will assigned during the recruitment process of this position.

We thank you for your interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.