Country Manager (CMV)

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice for Canadian municipal government. FCM is dedicated to improving the quality of life in all communities by promoting strong, effective and accountable municipal governments.

Position:	Country Manager (CMV)
Project:	Viet Nam Climate Resilient Municipalities (VNCRM)
Department:	FCM International Programs
Location:	Ha Noi, Viet Nam

Report to: Manager, VNCRM project

Salary Range: FCM offers competitive remuneration in local currency, commensurate with skills and experience.

Duration: 4-year contract beginning in January 2026

Languages: Fluency English and Vietnamese are required; Fluency in French is an asset

Background:

With the support of Global Affairs Canada, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is implementing a new 6-year project entitled Viet Nam Climate Resilient Municipalities (VNCRM). VNCRM aims to enhance climate-change adaptation, infrastructure asset management and solid waste management (SWM) in urban areas in Viet Nam. It will support selected provinces and urban sub-provincial governments that are highly vulnerable to climate change to update their climate change adaptation plans, critical infrastructure asset management plans and services and solid waste management plans and practices to be more climate-resilient, gender-responsive and inclusive in line with Viet Nam’s new two-tier local government system and national climate change, urban development and environmental protection priorities. The project will also build capacity and support the Association of Cities of Viet Nam (ACVN) as it restructures and develops a fit-forpurpose mission and service approach to address the changed governance milieu.

The project has three main areas of focus, with gender mainstreamed throughout:

Strengthening the enabling environment for climate change adaptation and climate-resilient infrastructure management and solid waste management in the four participating provinces;
Improving the climate resilience of built and natural infrastructure management and improving solid waste management (with emphasis on plastic waste reduction) in selected wards;
Enhancing the engagement and participation of women and marginalized populations in climate change adaptation, infrastructure management and solid waste management in selected sites.

FCM will implement the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Construction (MoC), selected provinces and local governments/municipalities and other partners, including relevant national Ministries, Women-Led Organisations (WLOs) and Community-based Organisations (CBOs). FCM will mobilize Canadian municipal practitioners and elected officials from FCM’s membership to provide peer-to-peer technical assistance.

Project oversight will be based in Ottawa through the Manager (PM), and the local office in Ha Noi will undertake implementation, in-country logistics, finance and communications, supported by FCM head office in Ottawa, Canada.

Major Purpose:

Under the direction of the Manager, VNCRM project, the Country Manager (CMV) is responsible for the operational management to meet the outcomes of the project including overseeing financial, operational and communication activities in country to reduce risk and ensure compliance with GAC, FCM and local procedures and regulations. The position supports the successful implementation of the VNCRM project by facilitating and maintaining partner relationships, supporting project planning, monitoring and evaluation, ensuring the efficient and cost-effective administration of financial and operational functions, and providing high quality services and information to stakeholders located in Viet Nam.

Key Responsibilities:

Manage partner and stakeholder relations:

Maintain regular and transparent communications with Vietnamese partners, stakeholders and consultants; These include the partnering central ministries (MoC, MoAE), the participating provincial and ward administrations, intermediary organizations (ACVN, VUPDA, WLOs, social enterprises), relevant CCA stakeholders (other donor-assisted projects, academic institutions);
Represent VNCRM and FCM in Viet Nam with professionalism and sound judgment, while engaging in relevant networks and ensuring positive visibility for Canada;
Ensure common understanding of project goals, components and outcomes, in alignment with approved Project Implementation Plan (PIP), amongst all national, provincial and local partners and stakeholders;
Keep the Project Manager (PM) in Ottawa informed of developments that may affect project implementation and recommend effective solutions;
Coordinate missions of Canadian municipal volunteers, technical experts and FCM staff to Viet Nam, ensuring cost-effective, safe, well-planned logistics and providing exceptional support throughout the trips; Act as Secretariat to the Project Advisory Committee and coordinate the Technical Working Group.

Manage the field office operations in Ha Noi:

Lead the adaptation of the FCM local office manuals for Hanoi Office; and ensure implementation of decentralized procurements, administrative and financial procedures as per FCM procurement, accounting and administrative process and procedures and in compliance with GAC rules and regulations
Oversee office administration, IT support, logistics and property management, ensuring the best use of project resources as well as strict compliance with FCM and GAC regulations;
Coordinate and seek guidance from Project Manager (Ottawa) and local legal counsel in drafting all necessary legal documents (such as contracts and lease agreements) and ensure that the developed documents are in compliance with FCM and GAC regulations as well as with the Local Country Laws;
Manage local service provider contracts and ensure the effective delivery of services under contract;
In coordination with the Operations Manager in Ottawa, oversee updating of safety, security and emergency measures in accordance with FCM Safety and Security Policy and keeping the Field Office manual updated related to Viet Nam;
In collaboration with the Project Manager, ensure that the safety, security and emergency measures referred to above are clearly explained to staff, consultants and visiting partners, including Canadian volunteers, and that they commit to apply them; and
Ensure that all logistical aspects of the Field Office operations as well as for missions from Canada are looked after and that a schedule of needs and activities is maintained and up to date.

Manage financial aspects of VNCRM project:

Collaborate with the FCM International Programs Finance Team to oversee the Finance, Admin and Operations Officer in the preparation of project budget, cash flow projections, monthly, quarterly and annual financial project reports, and provide information on financial issues;
Approve monthly financial reports and fund transfer requests prepared by the Finance, Admin and Operations Officer, with consolidated data from Viet Nam Field Office and Partners, prior to submission to HO within the reporting timeline;
According to FCM signing authority policy, approve and monitor project related procurement and expenditures and local partners monthly financial reports consistently with the GAC contribution agreement and Treasury Board guidelines;
Oversee the review, provide senior-level approval for all project-related procurement requests;
Ensure that procurement activities are conducted in strict compliance with FCM and GAC regulations, as well as Local Country Laws;
Coordinate with the Project Manager (Ottawa) and local legal counsel to verify that procurement contracts and related documents meet legal and regulatory standards;
Confirm that procurement decisions reflect best use of project resources, uphold ethical standards, and align with budgetary constraints;
Provide strategic advice to the Project Manager on the financial management of the project and the implications of decisions on project;
Oversee the financial management of the office and the interpretation and application of policies and procedures;
Assist with the conduct of external audits.

Human Resources Administration

Coordinate with Project Manager for the recruitment of Ha Noi office staff and other human resource management according to FCM established policies and procedures and government of Viet Nam laws;
Manage the local hiring process, in collaboration with Project Manager, incorporating FCM’s values and procedures;
Recruit Vietnamese short-term technical experts, resource persons, interpreters and other short-term consultants, in collaboration with the Project Manager, to implement project activities included in AWPs;
Supervise and guide Ha Noi office staff including the Finance, Admin and Operations Officer, the two Project Officers, the GESI Advisor and all short-term consultants and technical experts contracted by the project within Vietnam;
Provide support to Canadian Municipal volunteers to maximize knowledge exchange, including preparation of briefing material, conduct of briefings, accompaniment in-country, coaching and debriefing.

Support Project Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Functions

Participate in Annual Work Planning sessions, helping to ensure that planned activities meet the needs of participating local governments and are aligned with priorities and initiatives of central government and other key stakeholders;
Facilitate the participation of TWG members and input from participating local governments in Annual Work Planning processes;
Participate in semi-annual, annual and other monitoring and assessment activities to review project progress, recommend adjustments and prepare reports;
Ensure project MELKS activities are fulfilled in coordination with the FCM project MELKS advisor in Ottawa;
Contribute to the preparation of AWP documents, semi-annual reports and annual reports as requested by the Manager.

Required Knowledge, Education and Experience:

University degree in community development, public administration, or related discipline;
Minimum ten (10) years’ professional experience in delivering donor-funded initiatives which involve diverse stakeholders (e.g. central government agencies, local governments, not-for-profits, private sector, etc.;
Demonstrated experience and knowledge of local government services and systems, local government capacity development and measuring impacts;
Knowledge of climate change issues and climate change adaptation approaches in Viet Nam;
Knowledge of, and experience in, integrating gender equality and inclusion approaches;
Knowledge of, and experience in finance and accounting including budget preparation and monitoring, fund management and analysis of financial statements and reports;
Excellent computer skills: Word, Excel, Internet, and E-mail;
Very strong organizational skills, with attention to detail and timelines;
Ability to communicate effectively and concisely in English and to adapt to the audience.

Location Requirements:

Stationed in the FCM field office in Ha Noi
Available to travel frequently (monthly) within Viet Nam; may be required to make periodic trips to Canada
Must be a resident of Viet Nam and legally entitled to work in Viet Nam

Language Requirements:

Fluency in English and Vietnamese is required; fluency in French is an asset.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is committed to fostering an organizational culture that embraces equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging, where individuals from diverse racial and ethnic identities, nationalities, social economic status, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression and physical and mental abilities can thrive and be fully engaged at their best level.

FCM welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates to take part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.

**ATTENTION**

Please submit a cover letter in English (no more than 1 page) explaining your suitability for this position and YOUR SALARY EXPECTATION as well as a current CV to the FCM career website by September 29, 2025. Please note we will be reviewing CVs as they are received and may close the competition if a suitable candidate is found. If you have difficulty accessing the website, please email [email protected].

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, we will only contact those selected for an interview. All the applications will be kept on file for six months following the hiring.