Career Opportunities
Action Against Hunger Canada / Action contre la Faim Canada
Technical Services Department Student for Gender Initiatives
Job Title: Technical Services Department Student for Gender Initiatives
Organization: Action Against Hunger Canada / Action contre la Faim Canada
Report To: Gender Advisor and Focal Point
Location: Toronto, ON (Hybrid)
Job Type: Contract (a minimum of 4-month contract with the possibility of extension to 1 year)
Start Date: Sept 2026
Work Hours: TBC.
ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER
Founded in 1979, Action Against Hunger is a global humanitarian organization that takes decisive action against the causes and effects of hunger. Our mission is to save the lives of severely malnourished children while helping communities become self-sufficient. Recognized as a world leader in the fight against malnutrition, Action Against Hunger has pursued its vision of a world without hunger for almost four decades, combating hunger in emergency situations of conflict, natural disasters, and chronic food insecurity. With more than 8,000 staff in nearly 50 countries, our programs in nutrition, food security, livelihoods, water, sanitation, and hygiene, reach more than 20 million people each year.
ABOUT ACTION AGAINST HUNGER CANADA
With an annual Budget of $46million and a staff strength of nearly 40 people, Action Against Hunger Canada (est. in 2006) works tirelessly in the fight against hunger globally through our specialized nutrition technical programs that build the knowledge and skills of nutrition and public health professionals worldwide for the detection, treatment and prevention of malnutrition. We are a leading recipient of funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and advocate for changes to policy and practice in support of better nutrition and increased food security. Our collaborative programmatic model brings together communities, civil society, government, and the international assistance community to work jointly on fundamental public health issues that contribute to hunger in this world.
Our leading-edge programs have been built on the foundations of technical excellence, rigour and innovative practice over many years. We are experts in nutrition information systems, emergency nutrition and gender equality. Action Against Hunger Canada plays a hosting role to two significant global programs (SMART and the Global Nutrition Cluster Technical Alliance's Support Team) that provide guidance, tools and training in the areas of nutrition data collection and analysis and best practices for emergency nutrition service delivery for hundreds of Governments, civil society organizations and international organizations worldwide. Our programs support the capacity of public health professionals who deliver lifesaving and long-term initiatives in communities globally. We also work towards sustainable transformative health system strengthening in all our efforts to ensure a long-lasting impact together with our partners, including members of the Humanitarian Coalition. As a member of the Action Against Hunger International Network, we also provide a range of technical support for the mainstreaming of gender equality across our programs and operations worldwide. Our commitments towards a gender transformative approach are integrated into our core health programming and our technical support to our International Network.
To learn more about Action Against Hunger, visit our website at www.actionagainsthunger.ca
ABOUT THE ROLE
The Technical Services Department Student for Gender Initiatives will support the rollout of the newly developed Technical Department Strategy, as well as the closing of the Global Emergency Nutrition Response Program (GENRP) II's gender equality capacity-building project. This includes planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting activities to advance Action Against Hunger's Gender Agenda.
In 2026, Action Against Hunger Canada began rolling out its new 5-yr technical Strategy. Through this Technical Strategy, Action Against Hunger Canada aims to maintain its leadership on global nutrition thought, diversify donors, expand its partnerships, visibility and grow its domestic programming. This will include the student working across several strategic areas (i.e., business development, communications and technical services) and with diverse stakeholders (i.e., ACF Network partners, academic institutions, humanitarian and domestic INGOs, Gender-Based Violence and food security Canadian organizations).
Under Action Against Hunger's humanitarian portfolio sits a 3-year pilot institutional agreement with Global Affairs Canada (GAC) called the Global Emergency Nutrition Response Program (GENRP II) (2024-2026). This multi-country program is providing nutrition-specific (immediate determinants of undernutrition: insufficient food and nutritional intake; insufficient feeding, caregiving and parenting practices) and nutrition sensitive interventions (underlying causes of malnutrition: poor access to quality water, sanitation and hygiene; insufficient access to health services; household food insecurity) covering Nutrition, Health (including Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights; Mental Health; Protection), Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) and Women's Empowerment in 12 high-needs countries.
Under Action Against Hunger's development portfolio sits a 5-year Gender Equitable Nutrition in Tanzania and Uganda (GENTU) project (2023-2028), funded by Global Affairs Canada and implemented by Action Against Hunger, KAWUO and SEMA, which aims to enhance and sustain nutrition outcomes for the most vulnerable groups: women, adolescent girls, and children in Bahi and Itigi districts in Tanzania, Nabilatuk, Nakapiripirit and Moroto districts in Uganda.
The GENTU project employs comprehensive strategies designed to address both immediate nutritional needs and the underlying factors influencing nutrition in these communities. This includes targeted interventions aimed at individuals, communities, health service providers, and the broader health system. Recognizing the significant impact of gender disparities on nutrition access and health outcomes, the project adopts a holistic, gender-transformative approach aimed not only to address immediate nutritional challenges but also to dismantle entrenched gender norms and power imbalances that perpetuate inequalities. Aiming to empower women and girls, to engage male allies in promoting gender equality, and to advocate for policies that support inclusive nutrition strategies, GENTU seeks to foster long-term resilience and equitable development.
Under the supervision of the Gender Advisor & Focal Point, the Gender Initiatives Student/Volunteer will fulfill the following responsibilities.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Gender Equality and GBV Technical Programming and Research
- Support the development of a behavior change community intervention manual for engaging men and boys in accountable practices for enhanced nutrition outcomes in Uganda and Tanzania (Gender Equality Champions).
- Contribute technical insights and guidance to two (2) research studies that aim to generate evidence that will support the use of gender transformative approaches into nutrition action planning and programming in Tanzania and Uganda.
- Support the best practice integration of Gender Equality and GBV into the mainstreaming of Early Childhood Development (ECD) into primary health care in Syria; through co-review of job aids, monitoring tools, national guidance and associated training packages.
- Support the development and/or adaptation, delivery of existing Gender Equality/GBV capacity strengthening curricula to respond to requests from ACF International Network or external stakeholders.
- Support the Gender Advisor with the design, implementation and delivery of various other Gender In Nutrition (GIN) technical activities, presentations or intervention models.
Administration, Communication, and Information Sharing
- Complete 10 hours of virtual training to become a Cypher Learning Management System (LMS) Administrator (offered and paid for by the organization).
- Manage the dedicated "GAC training courses" email account (send and respond to communications) and flag any key points of attention to the reporting manager.
- Support with translation of key documents, PowerPoints, tools and data findings using deepl.com and/or other translation aids/software
- Support with the conception and organizing of various global Gender Equality commemoration events and initiatives within Action Against Hunger Canada and its International Network.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- Compile, analyze and report on the data gathered from the digitized gender training impact survey questionnaires submitted by participating GENRPII (and other Network countries) to better track post-capacity building implementation, replicability and impact.
- Compile, analyze and report on the data gathered from the 11 GENRP II & GENTU trainings (i.e., participant lists, pre and post-tests, final evaluations, discussion points, quizzes etc.) to better track post-capacity building implementation, replicability and impact.
- Manage data recording and virtual filing systems (on SharePoint) and systematically share recorded data with the Gender Advisor & Focal Point to facilitate the reporting process against the GENRP II deliverables.
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Collaboration: Collaboration involves effectively working with others, being a team player, and enhancing the quality of work by contributing effectively to others' efforts. It entails fostering cooperation and partnerships among individuals and groups, both within and outside the organization. Collaboration is the mindset of "What's in it for the team and the organization?" versus "What's in it for me?".
- Communication: Communication is the ability to convey and receive information clearly and effectively with the consideration of the audience and their points of view. It includes active listening and employing tact and diplomacy in all forms of communication, whether verbally or in writing, to transmit ideas and information effectively and ensure comprehension by the intended audience.
- Flexibility and Adaptability: Flexibility and Adaptability is the ability to swiftly adapt one's behaviour to meet the evolving demands of a dynamic work environment. It involves recognizing and valuing diverse and conflicting perspectives, adjusting one's approach as circumstances evolve, and embracing changes in organizational or job requirements with ease.
- Initiative: Initiative is the ability to assess situations, address conflicts, and proactively act on future opportunities or problems. It is the strong inclination toward taking action and actively engaging in tasks rather than merely contemplating them.
- Integrity and Trust: Integrity and Trust is the demonstration of respect, honesty, and transparency in all interactions to earn and maintain credibility and confidence. It entails a commitment to being reliable and accountable for own words and actions.
- Working towards a master's degree in Women and Gender/Feminist Studies, Political Science, Law, International Development, or a relevant field.
- Knowledge of Nutrition as a Human Rights and Gender Justice Issue in integrated health systems programming.
- Knowledge in gender equality, women's empowerment, gender transformative programming and Social Behaviour Change.
- Fluency in English and French in both oral and written communications. Good command of Spanish will be considered an asset.
- Strong organizational and planning skills.
- Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills including demonstration of cultural awareness, diplomacy, and tact.
- Strong analytical, interpersonal, and coordination skills.
- A positive, proactive, and solutions-oriented mindset
- Excellent knowledge of MS Office Applications (Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Forms, Excel).
WORK CONDITIONS
- Required to complete computer and desk-based tasks for long periods.
Action Against Hunger Canada is committed to promoting the well-being of people around the world and focuses its efforts on saving lives through the elimination of hunger. To that end, we uphold the principles of Independence, Neutrality, Non-discrimination, Unrestricted Access to Humanitarian Assistance, Professionalism, and Transparency in all our operations. We have ZERO TOLERANCE towards any behaviour violating our Code of Conduct, including workplace violence, harassment, sexual harassment, any form exploitation or abuse, corruption, fraud, and any behaviour lacking integrity.
Action Against Hunger Canada is committed to safeguarding children and adults in the communities where we work. Our safeguarding commitment is to ensure that children and adults are protected from both deliberate and unintentional harm or abuse caused by Action Against Hunger Canada staff, including the Prevention from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA).
In an effort to safeguard children and adults in communities that we work with, our offers of employment and volunteering are conditional on successfully clearing background checks that may include, but are not limited to, criminal record, vulnerable sector, and employment reference checks. Additionally, Action Against Hunger Canada participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. As part of this scheme, we will request information from your previous employers regarding any findings of sexual exploitation, abuse, and/or harassment during your tenure, as well as any ongoing investigations at the time of your departure. By submitting an application, you confirm your understanding and acceptance of these background checks and provide your consent for the collection and disclosure of your personal information for the purpose of these background checks.
If you are interested in this position, please apply online by submitting your CV to [email protected] by September 15, 2026.
We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.