PROJECT MANAGER CITY CLERKS OFFICE (INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS)

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

11d • CA$105,241 - CA$146,191 • Onsite

About The Position

Are you interested in playing a lead program management role in the development and delivery of the City of Toronto’s international engagement, with a goal of profiling Toronto locally and internationally? Are you an experienced project manager who is passionate about international relations? Are you an out-of-the-box thinker who is interested in creating opportunities to partner with international cities and networks to find solutions for global urban challenges? Consider joining the City Clerk's Office as the Project Manager (International Relations).
Reporting to the Manager, Partnerships and Community Relations (International Relations), you will be part of a team that is the City’s doorway to international engagement. As the Project Manager (International Relations), you will advance diplomatic affairs including missions and official visits for elected officials, foster proactive engagement and partnerships with international cities and the consular corps, enhance divisional international relationships to showcase the City as a global leader and shape City diplomacy through the International Alliance Program.
The Project Manager will thrive in a fast-paced, politically sensitive environment, expertly navigating the delivery of projects with competing timelines. The Project Manager’s ability to communicate effectively and experience in an international relations setting will be essential in maintaining the highest level of service when engaging with the public and international counterparts.

Requirements

• Post secondary education in a discipline pertinent to the job function (e.g., international relations, global affairs, public affairs, public administration) or an approved combination of education and experience in a large complex organization.
• Extensive experience in international relations issues and diplomatic matters, intergovernmental relations, issues management and related protocol.
• Extensive experience as a fully accountable project leader effectively leading multi-disciplinary project teams and developing and co-ordinating multiple creative and diverse projects and priorities as they relate to diplomatic and international issues, as well as inbound and outbound missions.
• Considerable experience in developing effective international partnerships with various internal and external stakeholders to foster collaboration across a broad spectrum of initiatives.
• Superior written, verbal, editing, presentation, analytical, briefing, conceptual thinking and interpersonal skills to communicate at all organizational levels as well as with elected officials, foreign and other orders of government, the public and the media.
• Sound judgement, highly developed conflict resolution, and problem-solving skills with demonstrated political acuity and success in situations requiring a high degree of tact and diplomacy and dealing with sensitive and confidential information about political and diplomatic matters, exercising a high degree of discretion and professionalism.
• Proven ability to be flexible and to thrive in a high-stress creative environment with frequent and competing deadlines, multiple tasks, and high-performance expectations.
• Sound knowledge of services of the City and its agencies and corporations.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to follow-through with a high level of thoroughness.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Applications (MS Word, MS Excel, MS Project); possess solid mathematical and strong spreadsheet skills and ability to work in collaborative software such as One Drive, Confluence, Jira, SharePoint, etc.
• Familiarity with relevant government legislation in Occupational Health and Safety, Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, and other relevant legislation and regulations.
• Demonstrated commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in all areas of responsibility with the ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.
• Candidates must be able to work variable hours and weekends as required, and travel for work if required.

Nice To Haves

• Fluency in one or more languages would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Develops, manages and provides leadership in project management for international relations functions and activities including: official visits to Toronto by Heads of State and Government, foreign ministers, senior foreign government officials and other dignitaries, study tours and global knowledge exchanges, outbound missions, international projects, network engagement, sourcing international funding and designations, and administering the International Alliance Program, to strengthen Toronto's image worldwide.
• Cultivates and retains strategic relationships with the consular and diplomatic corps, international municipal representatives, elected and appointed officials and staff from all orders of domestic and international governments, as well as internal senior level management.
• Identifies and communicates potential international relations or domestic issues with a global lens and makes recommendations on courses of action, ensuring management is apprised of issues impacting the service delivery of the project and any potential impact on Strategic Protocol & External Relations Unit, the City Clerk's Office (CCO), or the City.
• Researches and identifies current trends in the areas of international relations and protocol, to position the City within the global community. Conducts jurisdiction and environment scans as required.
• Support and/or accompany the Mayor, elected officials and/or Senior Management Team members on official missions abroad, attends international meetings and participates in advance planning as required.
• Understands the unique qualities and responsibilities of working in a political environment with direct relationships with elected officials and with various stakeholders in a positive manner, demonstrating cultural awareness.
• Creates, develops, and approves communication and briefing materials (i.e., web materials, briefing notes, issues notes, agendas, scenarios, backgrounders, factsheets, speaking points etc.).
• Develops, coordinates and approves effective communication activities for the Division, and for Members of Council to ensure the approach to international relations is widely understood in all strategic and day-to-day decision-making.
• Reviews, evaluates and recommends detailed project plans to the Chief of Protocol and External Relations/Manager, International Relations, including the overall scheduling of projects and reports on the status of all subprojects.
• Manages issues as they arise within projects, during delivery of project, and on-site during functions and activities often under scrutiny by media, public and Members of Council with the potential for damaging results, misinterpretation, or poor perception.
• Identifies and analyzes current projects, business processes and practices; prepares gap analysis, needs assessments, and recommends overall solutions for project and operational initiatives, collaborating with other Sections and Divisions to ensure the most efficient solution.
• Represents the Section and Division in meetings with a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, City Divisions, community groups, sponsors, senior staff, elected officials and other levels of government and municipalities worldwide.
• Promotes and maintains a positive profile for the City of Toronto in the local, regional, national, and international community.
• Supervises, motivates and trains assigned staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.
• Maintains a thorough and continuous awareness of initiatives, policies, and procedures in the City’s administration, external organizations, and other orders of government to provide information, developmental services, policy reports, recommendations, and issue monitoring around all aspects of international relations.
• Maintains a thorough awareness of the vision, mission and strategic directions of the City Clerk's Office and its services and the Strategic Protocol & External Relations mandate.
• Manages evaluation and selection processes and contracts with suppliers. Negotiates terms and conditions of contracts and prepares, develops, and negotiates agreements and contracts with supplier.
• Ensures the quality of work and service meets Corporate and Divisional standards and employees are trained to perform work and are in compliance with all legislative regulations that apply, such as Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System (WHMIS), MFIPPA, Records Management and the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA), etc.
• Acts on behalf of Manager, International Relations and Chief of Protocol, Strategic Protocol & External Relations in their absence.
• Required to work evenings, statutory holidays and weekends and provide coverage as required.

Benefits

• The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.
• Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree