Project Manager - Asia

EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY AT TFO CANADA

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.

Project Manager-Asia

TFO Canada is currently recruiting a full-time Project Manager-Asia located in Ottawa. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design, day-to-day implementation and monitoring of projects in Asia. 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 Asia.

Reporting Relationship:

Reports to a Program Director in the organization.

Job responsibilities:

Project design & inception (10%):

• 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 programme 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

Project implementation, monitoring & evaluation (40%):

• 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, especially for 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;

Reporting & Financial Management (25%):

• 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;

HR management and administration (15%):

• 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 review of Project Officers;

Business Development (5%)

• Identifying new project partners and funding opportunities that are in alignment with TFO Canada’s strategic directions
• Supporting the Director, Business Development and Partnerships by responding to project opportunities and developing proposals

Other (5%):

• 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

Qualifications:

• Permanent resident or citizen of 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 ganization (including planning, budgeting, procurement and contracting of external service providers, monitoring & reporting)
• Strong ability and willingness to work during business hours in Asian time zone
• Experience of working in Asia
• Strong willingness and ability to travel within Canada and internationally (6-8 weeks per year)
• Excellent communication (speaking, reading and writing) skills in English
• Excellent presentation and report writing skills in English
• Excellent computer application skills, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint as well as some experience working with project management, Client Relationship Management (CRM) and database management applications
• Strong understanding and experience in results-based reporting and impact measurement
• 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
• English essential

Assets

• Project Management Professional (PMP) and/or Certified International Trade Professional (CITP) designation
• Understanding of Gender Equality & Social Inclusion, Digitization, Access to Finance, Environmental Sustainability & Climate Resilience
• Understanding of the Canadian import market and sources of information
• Ability to communicate in Bengali/Vietnamese/Bahasa/Tagalog

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 December 12, 2025, to:

Program Director

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 (DIGNA) 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. For more information on TFO Canada visit www.tfocanada.ca