Position Title: Project Manager - Samaan Aawaaj (Equal Voice) Project
Department: Coady Institute
Position Type: Full-time, 3-Year Term
Classification: MPE Band F
Salary Range: $78,838 - $96,310
Posting Date: March 26, 2025
Closing Date: April 17, 2025 at 1:00 PM AST

Position Description

Coady Institute, St. Francis Xavier University welcomes interest in the position of Project Manager, Samaan Aawaaj, a new CAD 4.8 million project funded by Global Affairs Canada. The Samaan Aawaaj project - which translates to "Equal Voice" - will support the leadership of women in Nepal and Bangladesh from grassroots, Dalit, religious minorities and Indigenous communities. The project will foster an enabling environment that strengthens opportunities for women to successfully engage in governance and participate meaningfully in decision-making processes. This is an ideal position for a dynamic, innovative individual who will lead and support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the project.

The Project Manager will oversee partnerships and build a collegial management process to ensure the collaborative nature of a four-agency partnership (Coady Institute as well as three partner organizations in Nepal and Bangladesh). Under the direction of the Director and Project Steering Committee, the Project Manager will manage project operations in keeping with the Contribution Agreement with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the associated Terms and Conditions, the Partnership Agreements with the three implementing agencies, the Project Implementation Plan (PIP) and annual workplans and budgets as negotiated with partners and approved by GAC. The Project Manager will engage program, finance, and administrative staff in the planning, management, and accountability components of the project. The Project Manager will also act as liaison with the designated GAC Program Manager, ensuring effective working relations in all matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the annual review of the project implementation plan with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), project partners and Coady staff, and review requirements in line with budget and human resources.
• Manage annual planning, implementation and accountability activities, applying standards, meeting timelines and ensuring compliance, consistent with the Samaan Aawaaj Project Management framework.
• In collaboration with counterparts in all three implementing partners, build working relationships for project management that are rooted in values of partnership, reciprocity and respect.
• In collaboration with the Director of Programs, oversee staff contributions toward the implementation of the project, in keeping with project, individual, and agency work plans and budgets.
• Work in close consultation with the Institute's Manager of Finance to ensure that the project and financial systems, policies and practices in place are appropriately applied and provide the controls and accountability required.
• Oversee a small project team including Research Officer and Impact and Engagement Officer.
• Serve as Secretary of the Samaan Aawaaj Project Steering Committee, supporting committee members in their project governance functions.
• Participate in Coady internal committees related to strategic partnerships and/or knowledge co-creation.
• Identify and explore opportunities for external outreach, relationship-building and networking activities that enhance the profile of the Samaan Aawaaj project, Coady Institute, and project partners.

Qualifications

• A minimum of five years of professional experience in international development.
• Demonstrated experience managing a project team.
• Minimum master's degree in a related area of study.
• Demonstrated expertise in participatory project management.
• Demonstrated expertise with partnerships in one or more developing countries or regions.
• Strong knowledge and demonstrated experience with facilitation.
• Demonstrated experience in gender-based analysis.
• Well-developed research, analytical, and writing skills.
• Capacity for networking and managing complex, collaborative, cross-organizational relationships and/or communities of practice.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment, while ensuring that outcomes are achieved.
• Curiosity, open-mindedness, ability to think strategically and outside the box, and a high degree of comfort with evolving project plans and complexity.
• Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally as required.

Considered Assets:

• Additional areas of expertise that intersect with the goals of the project (feminist leadership, gender equality, governance and accountability, political participation, asset-based community development)
• Fluency in French or a language in addition to English, such as Bangla or Nepalese
• Overall knowledge and understanding of the climate emergency and its social, economic, and security impacts on communities.
• Prior experience and familiarity with the results-based management tools and reporting practices employed by GAC is considered a definite asset.
• Experience working in multi-stakeholder partnerships focused on capacity building and leadership development is preferred.

To apply for this opportunity, click the "Apply Now" button and upload your cover letter, resume and references.

StFX is located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq People.

Our institution is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including Indigenous persons (especially Mi'kmaq), racialized persons (especially African Nova Scotians), persons with disabilities, those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQIA+ and any others who would contribute to the diversity of our community. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

We are also committed to the elimination of barriers to participation for persons with disabilities. Should you require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact People and Culture at [email protected] or 902-867-5038.

About Coady Institute

Located on the campus of St. Francis Xavier University in the traditional and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq people, Coady Institute is a global leader in citizen-led, community-driven, and asset-based approaches to change. Established in 1959 by St. Francis Xavier University (StFX), Coady Institute is committed to accompanying generations of global leaders skilled in the application of citizen-led, asset-based, and community-driven leadership for economic and social change. The Institute provides educational opportunities, networking, and capacity-building support for emerging and established community leaders and their organizations, both locally and globally. We prioritize women, youth, and Indigenous leaders and have dedicated programming in these areas. We also have strong programs rooted in our university's history of support to Atlantic Canadian communities and focused on employment innovation, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion. Coady Institute's courses are grounded in transformative adult education approaches and are tailored to community leaders and practitioners. Programs are offered on campus, online, and in communities both in Canada and around the world. The Institute works with partners to advance a research and documentation agenda based on participatory, non-extractive, and non-exploitative approaches to analyzing and documenting community change processes.

About St. Francis Xavier University

Established in 1853, St. Francis Xavier University (StFX) is consistently recognized as one of the best universities in Canada. StFX exceeds the needs of today's undergraduates by providing the very best academic experience -- outstanding teaching, exceptional hands-on research opportunities, and global exchanges -- all within Canada's most vibrant and inspiring residential campus. Here, the focus is on the academic and personal development of every student, making community and social engagement a large part of the learning experience. Our students are academically strong and highly engaged in every aspect of life, determined to make a positive impact on the world.

In 2022, Maclean's annual university rankings put StFX #1 in student satisfaction and #2 in reputation across Canada in the primarily undergraduate category. For more, visit www.stfx.ca.

About Antigonish, Nova Scotia

The beautiful and historic town of Antigonish is located within the northeastern corner of Nova Scotia. Only a 15-minute drive from the ocean and a two-hour drive to major urban centres, Antigonish is a family-friendly community with a diverse and growing population and provides access to excellent education at all levels. The town is surrounded by rolling countryside and beautiful beaches and is a hotspot for outdoor recreation, sports and other active lifestyle activities. Antigonish supports a vibrant culture in the arts with music, performing arts, visual arts and crafts, and fabulous festivals happening throughout the year. For more information visit www.townofantigonish.ca or www.visitantigonish.ca.