Employment Type: Permanent, Full time
Location: Ottawa, Canada – Hybrid
Deadline For Submission: August 22nd, 2025
Salary: CAD $128,000 - $134,000
About us
At Nutrition International, we make a difference, because nutrition is the difference.
Woven into the very fabric of our approach is the passion and drive of our global team of over 400 people, working in 13 offices across 11 countries with one common goal: transforming the lives of people who need it most through improved nutrition.
If you are a motivated and passionate individual who shares our conviction that a better world is possible through improved nutrition, wants to leave the world a little better than they found it, and is looking to be part of a global team with a clear vision, we want to hear from you. Please consider applying for the position below.
Know our team
Nutrition International’s Research and Development (R&D) Unit aims to tackle missed opportunities and unmet challenges and promotes an evidence-based approach to advocacy, decision making, multi-sectoral country planning, and the setting of nutrition agendas. The team aims to address complex public health issues by breaking down siloes through research to advance global knowledge, driving evidence and innovation, and effective implementation of programs, building capabilities internally and capacity externally through partnerships in countries where Nutrition International works and enhancing Nutrition International’s staff capacities to ensure high standards of research design and implementation. Currently, Nutrition International is seeking applications for a Director of Projects, Research & Development to be based in Ottawa, Canada working hybrid 2 days/week in-office.
About you
You hold a doctorate degree in a relevant field such as Nutrition, Public Health, International Development, Non-profit Management or a related field. Highly qualified candidates with Masters Degrees will be considered. You are someone with a minimum of 15 years’ progressive experience managing complex projects in research or innovation settings, preferably within international NGOs or the public health sector with 5 years managing a team of direct reports. You have demonstrated successful completion of work assignments in reducing project cycle times and accelerating innovation from concept through execution in one or more projects. Specific experience required in participating, managing and/or supervising research and/or evaluations and familiarity with requirements of conducting research in international contexts (e.g., IRB processes, data stewardship, etc.).
You have a strong knowledge and proficiency of project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Lean, or similar frameworks), software and tools and excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities. You have experience working in multicultural, multidisciplinary teams and across global contexts. You are skilled in financial management, international development project management and with establishing and managing international multi-center and multi-partner collaborations.
Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of other languages spoken in countries supported by NI is an asset (e.g., French).
About the role
The Project Director, R&D, plays a pivotal role in strategic planning and execution of complex, high – impact projects focused on developing and scaling innovative solutions to combat malnutrition globally. The position plays a key role in optimizing project workflows, accelerating the journey from idea generation to impactful execution within the Research and Development unit at Nutrition International. This role is responsible for ensuring timely project delivery, reducing time from ideation to execution, fostering cross-functional collaboration, continuous improvement and accountability to maximize the organization’s impact.
In this role you will:
• Lead the development, prioritization and execution of a portfolio of high-impact projects, aligning with the Research and Development units’ goal and NI strategy.
• Provide direction, coaching and performance management to a team of project managers, fostering a high-performing and collaborative environment.
• Oversee the allocation of staffing and other resources across multiple concurrent projects.
• Collaborate with R&D unit leadership, team members, regional and country office teams to translate high level research ideas and complex challenges into clear, actionable project plans with clear milestones, measurable outcomes and deliverables.
• Develop and implement efficient project management methodologies (e.g., Agile, Lean), streamline and standardize project management practices, framework, and tools to ensure consistency and operational efficiency to minimize delays.
• Communicate and provide global visibility to R&D Projects including status updates and monitor project progress, proactively identify risks and bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to ensure on-time delivery.
• Reassess project priorities and capacity as organizational needs evolve and establish platform to provide strategic recommendation and serve as a key liaison for senior leadership by providing regular project updates on progress, risks and milestones.
• Facilitate cross-functional communication, ensuring alignment between R&D, Programs, Partnerships and Growth, and Corporate Services.
• Establish platform to provide strategic recommendation and serve as a key liaison for senior leadership by providing regular project updates on progress, risks and milestones.
• Ensure effective collaboration across the R&D unit and other units in NI, and external stakeholders to support cohesive and efficient project delivery.
• Oversee project budgets, timelines, and resource allocation, ensuring efficient use of organizational resources.
• Lead negotiations with internal and external partners and stakeholders to align on agreements and contracts, project timelines, deliverables, and priorities, balancing organizational goals with resource constraints.
• Continuously reassess project priorities in response to changing organizational needs, funding, or external factors, and communicate adjustments proactively to all stakeholders.
Direct supervision of staff and consultants as needed. Other duties as required.
Occasional International travel may be required to Europe, the Americas, sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia. Duty travel is typically for 1-3 weeks and usually for not more than 40 days per year.
What we offer
A competitive market pay, pension, professional development allowance, health and dental benefits, four weeks of vacation (plus public holidays), and flexible work hours. We offer a collaborative and engaging work environment.
Selected candidates must have current legal entitlement to work in Canada. We thank you for your interest, however only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
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.
Please note that all our offers are conditional subject to appropriate screening checks and satisfactory reference checks.
For more detailed information about the role, please click on the attached Job Description. Please click on the Apply button below to submit your application.