PROJECT MANAGER

Summary

The Project Manager will be responsible for providing the management and coordination of multiple WaterAid Canada projects.

Description

Project Manager

Location:  Remote – Canadian-based; Toronto or Ottawa preferred

Reports to: Director, International Programs & Policy

Language requirements: English (French a strong asset)

Employment classification: Full time Indeterminant

Who we are: WaterAid Canada is a member of WaterAid, a dynamic, fast -growing and well-respected international NGO operating in 35 countries worldwide. Our mission is to transform lives by improving access to clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for everyone, everywhere by 2030.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Director, International Programs and Policy (IPP) and working closely with the IPP team, WaterAid Country Program staff, and UK-based staff, the Project Manager (PM) will be responsible for providing the management and coordination of multiple WaterAid Canada projects.

The PM will lead and provide oversight to all aspects WAC’s donor compliance requirements for assigned projects, including a new Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) and Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights (SRHR) project being implemented as part of a consortium in three countries. The PM will lead the participating WA Country Program teams and partners through all phases of the project cycle, building national staff capacity wherever possible. The PM will provide excellent technical guidance and leadership in program management, financial management, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and partner relationships related to the project. Periodic travel to project sites is required once travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic are removed.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Provide project management, guidance, and technical oversight for assigned projects: This includes all aspects of the project cycle, to ensure project start-up, implementation and close-out are in line with WaterAid quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices. The Project Manager will apply their own technical knowledge and experiences towards program implementation and be responsible for training and guiding team members and partners through WaterAid and donor standards and guidelines.
• Donor Compliance, Reporting and budgeting: Ensure all assigned programs are in compliance with donor requirements. Lead in the preparation and/or review of WAC baseline and end-line reports, periodic narrative and financial reports, proposals, workplans, and budgets within the required formats and ensure internal sign-off as necessary.
• Technical advisor collaboration: The Project Manager will be proactive in working with UK-based and regional technical advisors, seeking their input as needed, following up on their recommendations and using their expertise to pursue program quality.
• Lead the development of project learning:  The Project Manager will identify opportunities for continuous learning, to improve the quality of programming and in line with WaterAid’s Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) guidelines. The PM will work with the M&E teams in each Country Program and partners, to promote adapted accountability systems which feed into programmatic learning.
• Monitoring & evaluation: The Project Manager will ensure that fully functional M&E systems are in place and aligned with donor requirements. The PM will collate, analyze, and evaluate project performance data following WaterAid and donor guidelines. The PM will proactively identify issues and concerns and use participatory processes to overcome implementation obstacles.
• Partnership development: The PM will support the appropriate application of partnership concepts, tools and approaches. This will entail supporting new staff in becoming familiar with WaterAid’s partnership approach and guiding staff understanding and application of these resources.
• Stakeholder engagement: Maintain communication with relevant stakeholders, including partners and project consortium members on issues affecting the management of donor agreements, plans, and strategies while ensuring strong and mutually beneficial relationships.
• Financial management: Ensure timely and appropriate project expenditures are in line with work plans and budgets and efficient use and stewardship of project material sources. It will be critical for the PM to understand financial requirements of donors and WaterAid policies to provide detailed oversight to budget planning, expenditures, and financial reporting.
• Undertake other related tasks and assignments to be delegated by the Director, IPP

Qualifications:

• University degree in development studies, public health, education, WASH, environment, feminist/gender studies, or other related area.
• At least 3 years’ experience implementing large, complex projects with multiple partner organizations.
• Experience with Global Affairs Canada project management and reporting processes, including Results-Based Management (RBM).
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality reports in English.
• M&E skills and experience required.
• Previous experience working in a developing country, preferably in Africa.
• Advanced knowledge of Excel required; strong administrative skills including MS Office (Word, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Qualifications considered an asset:

• French and/or Portuguese language skills considered strong assets.
• Technical expertise in WASH programming.
• Experience designing and implementing WASH programming.
• Experience designing and implementing gender equality/SRHR programming.
• Familiarity with environmental issues and community-based, participatory approaches.

Required Personal Qualities and Skills:

• Ability to work collaboratively and flexibly within a small team in Canada while also linking into a larger network of teams and staff in the UK and Country Programs.
• Ability to work effectively and sensitively in a cross-cultural environment.
• Willingness to travel overseas 3-4 times annually, approximately 2 to 3 weeks per trip, sometimes in difficult environments (once travel is permitted).
• A commitment to WaterAid’s values, approach, and direction.

If you are interested in the position and have the right skills and attributes, please send your application, consisting of a letter of interest and a CV to [email protected] highlighting “Project Manager” in the subject line.

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis until the ideal candidate is found. 

WaterAid Canada’s talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

WaterAid Canada welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

Please note: to apply for this role you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in Canada.

No recruitment agencies please.