Program Manager – Private Sector Engagement

Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada is a non-profit organization whose mission is to catalyze economic growth through sustainable and inclusive trade partnerships for Small and Medium Enterprises in developing countries. 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 a full-time Program Manager – Private Sector Engagement based in Ottawa, Canada.

The successful candidate will play a strategic advisory, quality assurance, and delivery support role across TFO Canada’s project portfolio, guiding, reviewing, and actively contributing to trade promotion activities embedded within projects. These include trade missions, B2B matchmaking initiatives, and private sector engagement efforts that connect developing countries SMEs with Canadian and international businesses.

The Program Manager will also lead the development and implementation of TFO Canada’s Private Sector Engagement Strategy, ensuring coherent, effective, and results-oriented engagement with Canadian companies and industry actors, including those providing technology, equipment, advisory services, and trade-enabling solutions, to support SME competitiveness and sector development in partner countries, while creating mutually beneficial commercial opportunities. This approach supports stronger, market-driven partnerships that enhance SME competitiveness, strengthen value chains, and generate tangible benefits for both partner countries and Canadian companies.

The role focuses on targeted engagement across priority private sector segments, private sector intelligence (including use of tools such as ZoomInfo), and quality assurance, while working through sector-specific consultants who lead buyer outreach, matchmaking, and trade mission delivery. In line with TFO Canada’s evolving mandate, the role will strengthen engagement with Canadian companies and industry actors to create mutual value and benefits for Canadian stakeholders.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to the Program Director, Trade Support Services (TSS) and collaborates closely with other program managers, consultants, Trade Support Institutions (TSIs), and private sector stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Private Sector Engagement and Intelligence (Strategic Leadership)

• Lead the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of TFO Canada’s Private Sector Engagement Strategy.
• Build strategic partnerships and networks with relevant private sector actors.
• Design and oversee structured engagement approaches for different private sector segments
• Provide guidance on consultant-led outreach initiatives to ensure alignment with priority sectors and project objectives.
• Identify opportunities for Canadian companies to participate in project-related initiatives.
• Provide strategic guidance on and manage B2B Intelligence Platforms (e.g. ZoomInfo).
• Develop targeted company lists as well as provide curated insights to project teams and consultants.

2. Trade Missions Advisory, Delivery Support & Quality Assurance

• Develop and maintain standardized frameworks, tools, templates, agreements and guidelines for trade mission (incoming, outgoing, virtual, hybrid) planning and implementation.
• Provide strategic guidance to project teams and consultants in the design, planning, and delivery of trade missions.
• Oversee and quality-assure consultant-led delivery including business-to-business (B2B) matchmaking.
• Ensure consistency with organizational standards, donor expectations, and best practices
• Monitor results and capture lessons learned.
• Contribute to the development of institutional knowledge and reusable assets

3. Other Duties

• Support proposal development and business development initiatives.
• Provide technical guidance and onboarding support to project staff and consultants.
• Contribute to special projects and organizational priorities.
• Represent TFO Canada in relevant networks, meetings, and events such as trade fairs, sector associations and industry events.

Other requirements: This role requires periodic travel within Canada to support private sector engagement and project-related activities.

Qualifications:

• Permanent resident or citizen of Canada.
• Master’s degree in international trade, business administration, economics, international development, marketing, commerce, or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in international trade development, export promotion, or private sector engagement.
• Demonstrated experience coordinating trade missions, B2B events, or international private sector engagement initiatives.
• Experience working with SMEs, Business Support Organizations, donors, and private sector stakeholders in Canada and other international markets.
• Experience managing donor-funded projects and reporting requirements.
• Excellent communication (speaking, reading and writing) skills in English
• Excellent analytical, presentation, coordination, and report writing skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement, relationship management, event coordination, and organizational skills.
• Excellent computer application skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, B2B Intelligence Platforms, CRM systems, and virtual collaboration platforms.
• 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.

Assets

• Knowledge of Canadian import market requirements and international trade processes.
• Experience working on Global Affairs Canada (GAC) funded projects as well as other international institutions.
• Understanding of Gender Equality & Social Inclusion (GESI), Digitization, Access to Finance, Environmental Sustainability & Climate Resilience, as it relates to trade and development.
• Experience coordinating international events and participation in trade fairs.
• Fluency in French and/or Spanish.

Employment Duration

• This is a 4-year term position.

Compensation

TFO Canada offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience and the norms of the international development NGO sector. As such the salary range is $69,600.00 - $85,000.00

Work Location:

Work at TFO Canada includes a hybrid work model, therefore, this role will be a combination of virtual and on-site work. Our office is located in downtown Ottawa. The successful candidate will need to live within the greater Ottawa-Gatineau area in Canada and to be a permanent resident or citizen of Canada.

Applications:

Applications including a cover letter and a current C.V. should be made in writing by mail/e-mail no later than June 26, 2026, to:

Program Director, Trade Support Services

TFO Canada

66 Slater Street, Suite 2100

Ottawa, Ontario K1P 5H1

hr@tfocanada.ca

Only candidates to be interviewed will be contacted.

TFO Canada catalyzes economic growth through sustainable and inclusive trade partnerships for Small and Medium Enterprises in developing countries. TFO Canada confronts the challenge of global poverty by promoting sustainable economic development through export information, advice and contact. We facilitate access to foreign markets and share Canadian trade expertise for the benefit of small exporters in developing countries. Founded in 1980, TFO Canada is a non-profit, non-governmental organization.

TFO Canada strives to ensure gender equality for men and women in their participation in TFO Canada’s programs, projects and activities, and also in TFO Canada’s employment, contracting and management opportunities.

As a signatory to the Canadian Centre of Expertise on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and to the Anti-Racism Framework for Canada's International Cooperation Sector, TFO Canada has the moral, ethical, and legal responsibility towards its staff, beneficiaries, and clients and applies a zero-tolerance approach.

A criminal records and social media background evaluation will be performed on short-listed and/or selected candidates.

For more information on TFO Canada visit www.tfocanada.ca