Team Leader

SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT 

The SMEs Promote Resilience, Inclusion and Innovative Transformation (SPRINT) Program is a flagship initiative of Global Affairs Canada and will be implemented by Cowater International Inc. in the province of Yen Bai in northern Vietnam.  The Program aims to improve the socio-economic well being of ethnic minority women working in the agricultural sector by elevating their economic status, leadership and agency including through the promotion of clean growth. The program will implement a series of interventions designed to strengthen the performance of EMW led MSMEs, cooperatives and producer groups in select value chains. The primary beneficiaries are women living in the province of Yen Bai, while an overarching emphasis is placed on the inclusion of women from ethnic minority communities.

The Program is scheduled to run for a duration of 6 years from 2023 till 2029. It will respond to critical skills and knowledge gaps and incentivize the innovation and adoption of Renewable Energy (RE) and Energy Efficient (EE) solutions among EMW led businesses.

SUMMARY OF THE POSITION 

The Team Leader will provide leadership to the Program and Senior Management Team (SMT) while ensuring excellent program delivery. Working closely with the Senior Management Team, s/he will provide oversight, advice and support to the implementation and ongoing development of the Program.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  

Program Leadership:

• Provide high-level strategic leadership and oversight of program scope, ensuring program activities align with the program’s design, Government priorities and AC guidelines and regulations;
• Represent the Program at relevant meetings, forums, events and committees to the highest professional standard;
• Provide overall leadership to the team, ensuring effective coordination between all units;
• Ensure effective communication and coordination between all program stakeholders, including partners, Government, international and local short-term advisors and Cowater International; and
• Oversee the implementation of a communications strategy, ensuring the appropriate sharing of information, between and across key program partners and program stakeholders, including with both Governments.

Program Planning:

• Review and validate the proposed methodology, outputs, expected intermediate and immediate outcomes (including feasibility of achieving them within the timing proposed),

Performance indicators and risk factors/mitigation approaches.

• Establish an effective monitoring system for progress and results.
• Prepare annual workplans and progress reports and submit to the Project Manager for onward submission to GAC

Project Accounting

• Set up quality control measures to ensure proper accountability.
• Assume accountability for all field expenditures.
• Supervise accounting functions and approve payments and procurement.

Management and Administration

• Establish the project office (with the support of a mobilization adviser) and establish office leases, supervise the procurement of office equipment, vehicles and furniture, ensure the proper utilization, security and maintenance of office facilities including the vehicles;
• Administration of locally engaged personnel – in consultation with the Cowater International HQ, recruit the locally engaged personnel, establish their job descriptions, supervise, support and administer the contracts of these personnel and conduct annual performance appraisals of each locally engaged staff member and report the appraisals to the Cowater International HQ – contracts for staff will be prepared by Cowater International HQ. Oversee and provide coordination of activities of all components, including advisors, consultants and staff; Policies and Procedures – in consultation with the Cowater International HQ, prepare and regularly update appropriate policies and procedures to facilitate the administration of the offices; and
• Sub-Contracts – select sub-contractors as per approved workplans, based on Cowater International procurement guidelines. Contracts for sub-contractors will be prepared by Cowater International HQ.

Communications and Relationships

• Maintain and manage strategic relationships with GAC, provincial government and national partners, and other key stakeholders and organizations to create synergies.
• Maintain effective and efficient communications systems between the Program and Cowater International HQ and sub-contractors, including systems for quality control, document transmission and circulation.

Quality Control

• Institute and manage, in coordination with the Cowater International HQ Project Manager, a quality control system to track and enforce maintenance of standards and to assess progress throughout the project.
• Ensure that all resources assigned to the project are producing the required quality of results at all levels, and.
• Cooperate fully with GAC’s external monitor and provide all necessary assistance during site visits.

Cowater International Representation

• Always represent the corporate interests and image of Cowater International and follow rigorously Cowater’s Code of Ethics.

Project Committees

• Represent Cowater International in the Project Steering Committee (PSC) meetings and provide secretariat support to the PSC.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

The Team Leader will have the following qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience: 

• Master’s degree (graduate level) in a relevant discipline such as business administration, social sciences or international development;
• Minimum of 10 years of experience, managing and overseeing multi-year (3+ years), multi-million dollar (+5 million CAD) international development projects in project planning, project implementation, human resources management, project financial management, and project reporting;
• Demonstrated technical expertise in gender equality and social inclusion, women’s economic empowerment, market systems development, or related field, including experience working with ethnic minority women;
• Experience working in the agriculture sector is considered an asset;
• Policy, analytical and political economy analysis skills;
• Proven experience managing multiple partnerships and developing and maintaining strong stakeholder relations;
• Excellent skills in leading and managing multi-cultural teams and working in a cross-cultural environment;
• High level interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to convey concepts clearly and concisely;
• Strong organizational and strategic writing skills and ability to think systemically;
• Experience supporting project management & reporting activities, including:
  • Liaising with project stakeholders;
  • Integrating gender equality, environment, and governance into project activities;
  • Providing technical advice related to local and regional economic development;
  • Leading project teams;
  • Managing project risks;
  • Professional fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking).
• Experience working with GAC on planning, reporting and communications would be highly regarded;
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of performance-based management procedures, such as results-based management (RBM); and
• Recent professional development and/or publications related to Women’s Economic Empowerment, Local Economic Development, Market Systems Development, Markets for the Poor and/or Capacity Development.
• Experience working in Vietnam and/or the Southeast Asia region, with an understanding of the particular vulnerabilities faced by ethnic minority women and demonstrating cultural awareness and sensitivity; and
• Fluency in Vietnamese would be an asset.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Candidates are encouraged to apply by February 9, 2023/as soon as possible.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.

We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.