Project Manager – Latin America and The Caribbean

TFO Canada improves lives through the creation of sustainable trade partnerships for exporters from developing countries with Canadian and foreign buyers.

 

TFO Canada assists Small and Medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and Trade Support Institutions (TSIs) from developing countries to access international markets through information, advice and contact services. Since 1980, TFO Canada’s internationally experienced project staff and sectoral experts have been providing trade promotion and capacity building services to tens of thousands of Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Trade Support Institutions (TSIs)/Trade Promotion Organizations (TPOs) from Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

 

TFO Canada is currently recruiting for a full-time Project Manager position located in Ottawa (home-based during the COVID-19 pandemic). The successful candidate will be The Project Manager responsible for the design, day-to-day implementation and monitoring of projects within the Latin America and the Caribbean region. The role includes regular communication with partners and consultants (research, training, and women economic empowerment experts as well as sector/market specialists and subject matter experts). The Project Manager also supports his/her director with the preparation of donor reports, new program proposals and related business development activities as/when required.

 

The Project Manager will be responsible for managing trade development projects such as trade missions and seminars on the Canadian market and for maintaining relationships with trade support institutions and Canadian-based trade representatives for developing countries within the Latin America and the Caribbean region.

 

 

 

 Reports to the Program Director – Latin America and the Caribbean/Trade Support Services

 

- Participating in project development of TFO Canada’s trade-related technical assistance and capacity building projects and activities (including needs assessment missions abroad);

- Contributing to the development of project proposals and program documents;

- Contributing to the development of strategic plans and to TFO Canada’s annual planning and budgeting with inputs/information pertinent to the role;

- Preparing and delivering periodic seminars/webinars on Exporting to Canada and on TFO Canada’s services to developing country exporters and TSIs in Canada and abroad

 

- Managing and, as required, participating in the execution of trade-related technical assistance and capacity building projects/activities such as seminars, training courses, workshops, trade missions, including trade fairs, and other technical assistance in Canada and abroad;

- Collaborating with team members for the delivery of multi-country initiatives;

- Ensuring gender equality is mainstreamed into project planning and delivery

- Reviewing Market Information Papers and other Canadian Market Access Services content;

- Handling inquiries received from developing country exporters and trade support institutions;

- Contributing to developing Canadian importer contacts, building TFO Canada’s importer database and responding to Canadian importer inquiries;

- Monitoring ongoing project implementation by consultants and partners including conducting overseas monitoring and evaluation missions where appropriate ;

- Ensuring the collection, analysis and reporting of project impact data and contributing the lessons learned and success stories;

 

- Developing and monitoring project budgets and disbursements to partners and overseeing related project administration in collaboration with TFO Canada’s support staff;

- Providing support to partners to ensure they produce required financial and narrative reports;

- Producing financial forecasts in coordination with TFO Canada’s accounting department;

- Preparing project activity and outcome reports (including conducting surveys) respecting donor reporting format and timeline;

 

- Identifying suitable consultants and volunteers, contributing to the recruitment process (including preparing contracts)

- Managing and evaluating the performance of consultants and volunteers

- Coordinating the activities of project consultants (TFO Canada Associates), partners and suppliers to ensure the successful implementation and management of TFO Canada’s trade-related technical assistance and capacity building projects;

- Preparing sub-project agreements and maintaining all relevant project documents (contracts, correspondence, approvals, budgets, workplans, invoices, etc.) in both hard and virtual filing system

- Ensuring logistical and related support to project consultants;

- Working with and contributing to the performance reviews of Project Officers;

 

- Representing TFO Canada at embassy/high commission/Canadian universities/associations and other events

- Providing transition/orientation support to newly hired Project Managers/Officers

- Managing and participating in special projects from time to time

- Performs other duties as required related to the successful execution of TFO Canada’s mission

 

- Eligible to be employed in Canada

- Master’s degree in International Development, International Trade or a related field

- At least five (5) years of combined project management experience in an international development organization, international trade promotion organization (export marketing, importing/sourcing, trade development support services for exporters) or project management organization (including planning, budgeting, procurement and contracting of external service providers, monitoring & reporting)

- Strong willingness and ability to travel within Canada and internationally (6-8 weeks per year)

- Excellent presentation and written communication skills, including report writing

- Excellent computer application skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as some experience working with database applications

- Strong understanding and experience in results-based reporting and impact measurement

- Strong understanding of gender equality and ability to incorporate gender equality concepts in your work

- Strong ability to multi-task and manage multiple stakeholder relations

- Well organized, self-starter and independent worker

- Able to work well in a team and in a fast-paced environment

- Bilingual (English / Spanish)

 

- Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation

- Understanding of the Canadian import market and sources of information

- Work experience related to Latin America and the Caribbean

- Ability to communicate in another language relevant to our work

 

TFO Canada offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and the norms of the international development NGO sector.

 

Applications including a cover letter and a current C.V. should be made in writing by mail/e-mail no later than January 14th, 2022, to:

Marysabel Gonzalez

Program Director Latin America and the Caribbean and Trade Support Services

TFO Canada

130 Slater Street, Suite 400

Ottawa, Ontario K1P 6E2