Senior Project Manager

Terms of Reference

Position Title:

Senior Project Manager

Location:

Ha Noi with frequent travel to Son La and Lao Cai provinces

Period of Assignment:

1 year (possibility of extension)

Reporting To:

Deputy Team Leader

Background:

With more than 30 years of experience, Cowater International is Canada’s global leader in management consulting services specializing in international development. We have managed the implementation of over 800 projects in more than 80 countries around the globe for clients such as DFID, DFAT Australia, the World Bank and Global Affairs Canada. We work with governments, partner organizations, communities and civil society to design and implement sustainable solutions that generate lasting social, economic and environmental impacts. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies in 2017 and 2018.

Cowater International is seeking to recruit a highly qualified Senior Project Manager to support the Aus4Equality|Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program. The GREAT Program is a flagship initiative of the Australian aid program in Vietnam – it commenced in November 2017 and will run for five years (2017 to 2021). The Program seeks to promote women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in the ethnically diverse north-west region of Vietnam. The primary beneficiaries are women living in the provinces of Son La and Lao Cai with a focus on economic inclusion for of women from ethnic minority communities.

Statement of Duty:

• The Senior Project Manager is responsible for managing and providing quality guidance and support to assigned partners for effective implementation and delivery in coordination with Inclusive Business Advisor and other team members.

• The Senior Project Manager will maintain close relationships with the Project Management Unit (PMU), target district authorities and other partners of the Aus4Equality Program

• The Senior Project Manger will work closely with other GREAT team members across an array of duties in accordance with the procedures and guidelines laid out in the Aus4Equality Program Administration Manual, and Program Standard Operating Procedures

Specific Duties:

Under the guidance and supervision of the Deputy Team Leader, the Senior Project Manager will be responsible for:

• Managing assigned implementing partners: This includes overseeing partner project implementation, providing guidance and support to ensure partners deliver sustainable results in a cost-effective manner and projects are compliant with GREAT project management requirements.

• Support partners in preparing and updating annual workplans and progress reports.

• Conduct quarterly and annual partner performance assessments.

• Facilitate partner capacity development: Identify capacity gaps, provide coaching or work with other GREAT team members to facilitate capacity building for partners to improve their inclusivity, profitability, and sustainability.

• Guide and coach partners to adopt new approaches such as MSD, GESI, adaptive management and document lessons learnt.

• Support project M&E: Work closely with the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MERL) team in implementing and embedding the M&E approach and utilising learning to support partners to adapt approaches

• Provide input to media releases, briefings, communications activities and events.

• Other tasks as required.

Required Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in business management, finance/economics, agriculture.

• At least 7 years of project result-based management experience.

• Good understanding and experience with the full project management cycle (planning, monitoring, reporting).

• Strong interpersonal skills. Knowledge and experience with formal access to finance via commercial banks is an advantage.

• Commitment, demonstrated knowledge, and understanding of minority groups in Vietnam and gender-related issues.

• Experience with women’s economic empowerment and supporting ethnic minority groups is an advantage.

• Good computer skills.

• Able to communicate fluently and effectively in Vietnamese and English (oral and written).

Skills/Abilities:

• Able to travel to provincial project areas when required.

• Able to manage multiple demands and prioritise tasks, work easily and cooperatively with diverse stakeholders, and support other team members.

• Must be flexible, willing to perform other duties and work irregular hours when required.

• Excellent interpersonal skills, including patience, diplomacy, willingness to listen and show respect for colleagues.

• Able to create a supportive working relationship amongst Aus4Equality partners.

• Able to work individually and as part of a team and show initiative when required.

Women, and people of minority groups, are encouraged to apply.