Job Description
About the Project
The Vietnam Initiative for Strengthening Trade (VIST) is a multi-year initiative funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC) under the International Development Assistance Program. Implemented by the CBA in partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Justice (MoJ), VIST aims to strengthen Vietnam’s legal and institutional capacity for international trade and investment.
The project addresses human resource and institutional capacity needs across several interconnected areas: international trade and investment law, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards, and dispute resolution. It also supports Vietnam’s decision to establish two international financial centers in the country. VIST aligns with Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and its commitment to deepening economic engagement with regional partners, and with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance policy, which seeks to strengthen opportunities for women in international investment and trade.
Position Summary
The Project Director (PD) is the operational leader of VIST and is responsible for the day-to-day management, coordination, and delivery of all project activities. Reporting to the CBA’s Chief Advocacy Officer, the Project Director is accountable for achieving project results within scope, budget, and timeline; managing relationships with GAC, the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice, and other key stakeholders; and leading a team of Canadian and Vietnamese-based staff and CBA volunteer legal professionals. This is a 2-year appointment, subject to renewal.
This is a senior leadership role requiring a combination of international development project management expertise, legal or policy sector experience, financial management competence, and interpersonal skills suited to a complex, multicultural operating environment. The Project Director will be based in Ottawa, with regular travel to Vietnam required throughout the project.
Location
This position is based in Ottawa, Ontario at the CBA’s national office. The Project Director will be required to travel to Vietnam regularly, with extended periods in-country particularly during the inception phase and around major project milestones. Some evening and weekend availability will be required to accommodate time zone differences with the Vietnam-based team. The CBA offers a collaborative, mission-driven work environment with competitive benefits.
Annual Salary
$110,000-$120,000
Responsibilities
Project Management & Delivery
- Manage implementation and delivery of VIST in accordance with GAC Results-Based Management policies and guidelines.
- Lead the development and execution of the Project Implementation Plan (PIP), Annual Work Plans, and associated deliverables in accordance with GAC contribution agreement requirements.
- Monitor project progress against the Logic Model and Performance Measurement Framework, ensuring activities remain on track against all outcomes.
- Anticipate and manage project risks, escalating significant issues to the Chief Advocacy Officer and GAC as required under the Contribution Agreement.
- Oversee the inception phase, including the Performance Measurement Framework and baseline study, GBA Plus gender equality analysis, and inception report.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Manage the project budget in accordance with GAC financial guidelines, the Contribution Agreement, and CBA internal controls, including oversight of all eligible cost categories, budget transfers, and advance payment requests.
- Ensure timely and accurate submission of all required reports to GAC, including Financial Reports, Annual Narrative Reports , Annual Work Plans, and the Final Report.
- Oversee in-kind cost-share tracking and documentation to ensure CBA meets its cost-share obligation under the agreement.
- Supervise the project accountant and financial management systems in both Canada and Vietnam.
Stakeholder & Partner Relations
- Serve as the primary point of contact with Global Affairs Canada for all operational, financial, and programmatic matters.
- Cultivate and manage a strong working relationship with the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice, including senior leadership such as the Minister and relevant department directors and the MOJ Program Management Unit.
- Coordinate with the CBA’s Chief Advocacy Officer on high-level diplomatic engagements, including the MOU between MoJ and CBA, meetings, and ministerial-level visits.
- Build and sustain relationships with Canadian legal experts, CBA volunteer lawyers, legal educators, and international development practitioners engaged in the project.
- Explore and develop synergies with complementary initiatives, including the National Judicial Institute’s Vietnam programming.
Team Leadership
- Recruit, onboard, and manage Canadian and Vietnam-based project staff, including the Vietnam Team Lead, local legal specialists, gender equality advisors, and administrative staff.
- Coordinate the engagement of CBA volunteer professionals and Canadian legal experts providing technical assistance, training, and mentorship to Vietnamese counterparts.
- Foster a high-performing, inclusive project team culture that integrates gender equality, ESG, and human rights principles into all aspects of implementation.
Technical Leadership
- Provide technical oversight and quality assurance across project outputs, including training programs, legal and policy analyses, dispute resolution capacity building, and online resource development.
- Support integration of Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) and ESG principles across all project components.
- Ensure alignment of project activities with Vietnam’s international trade obligations (including CPTPP), the GoV’s International Financial Centre policy, and GAC’s feminist international assistance policy.
Qualifications
Education
- LLB/LLL, JD, Master’s level degree or other comparable experience in law, international development, public policy, or a
related field.
- Formal training or certification in project management (e.g., PMP, PMD Pro) is an asset.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in international development project management, with demonstrated responsibility for managing GAC-funded or equivalent bilateral development projects.
- Experience managing multi-year, multi-million-dollar development projects including financial management, donor reporting, and contribution agreement compliance.
- Demonstrated experience working in Southeast Asia, Vietnam, or comparable emerging market environments; direct experience in Vietnam is a significant asset.
- Experience in the legal sector, including legal capacity development, rule of law programming, trade law, or access to justice initiatives.
- Experience managing multicultural teams and working with senior government officials in developing country contexts.
- Proven track record of stakeholder relationship management across government, civil society, and professional association environments.
Languages
- The CBA delivers services in both of Canada’s official languages. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English is required; proficiency in French is strongly preferred. Knowledge of Vietnamese is an asset.
Skills and Competencies
- Familiarity with GAC contribution agreement frameworks, Results-Based Management (RBM), and GAC reporting requirements.
- Strong budget management skills including financial forecasting, variance analysis, and eligible cost determination.
- Strong interpersonal and diplomatic skills, with cultural sensitivity and the ability to operate effectively in a Vietnamese institutional context.
- Ability to work across time zones and to travel internationally, including extended periods in Vietnam during project inception and at key milestones.
- Proficiency in MS Office suite and project management tools.
- Knowledge of Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) and feminist international assistance principles.
- High degree of discretion, professional judgment, and organizational integrity.
Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority.
We sincerely thank all applicants for their interest. However, we will only contact those underconsideration. All applicants are encouraged to join the CBA Talent Community which establishes a list that may be considered for similar positions of various tenures.
The CBA is committed to the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in its learning, work environments, and in its operations. We encourage applications from traditionally marginalized groups. We believe in and promote the rights of all persons with disabilities as outlined in the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA 2005) and its related Accessibility Standards Regulations. To meet this obligation, the CBA will make appropriate accommodations available upon request. Please inform the CBA, in advance, of the need for accommodation(s) during the recruitment and selection process to ensure your equal participation. Requests can be made by email to HR (@) cba.org.
No Agency, please.
About the Organization
The voice of Canada’s legal profession.
The Canadian Bar Association champions Canada’s legal profession and the rule of law in Canada. We are the largest association for legal professionals in the country, representing over 40,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, academics and students.
We connect our members to the people, knowledge and skills they need to successfully practice law. We offer a strong, unified voice and promote fair justice systems, effective law reform, wellness and equity. We are the legal profession’s go-to source for high-quality legal training and information.
Our Vision and Mission
We are the essential ally and advocate of the legal profession and guardian of the rule of law in Canada. Our members are passionate about their association and the good it brings to their lives and to the world. Staff and volunteers are inspired to exceed members’ expectations every day.
Our mission is to:
- Improve the law and the administration of justice
- Improve and promote access to justice
- Promote equity in the legal profession and in the justice system
- Improve and promote the knowledge, skills, ethical standards and well-being of members of the legal profession
- Promote the interests of CBA members and represent the legal profession nationally and internationally
How We Work
The CBA has a National Office in Ottawa, branches in every province and territory, and an in-house counsel division called the CBA In-House Lawyers launch.
Through the work of the CBA Executive, Board of Directors, Leadership Forum, Committees, Sections and staff at the national and branch levels, we lobby the government on important legal issues, protect the profession’s core values and actively engage with Canada’s legal community.
We offer high-quality professional development programs, conferences and events. Our publications, practice tools, resources and podcasts offer insights into global and national trends affecting your work.
Our History
We have been championing Canadian lawyers and Canadian law since 1896. The Canadian Bar Association has existed in its present form since 1914. The association was incorporated by a Special Act of Parliament on April 15, 1921.
