Advisor, Programs Support and Development

Job title: Advisor, Programs Support and Development

Company: Federation of Canadian Municipalities

Job description: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is the national voice of municipal governments, representing the interests of cities and communities with the federal government. Position Advisor, Programs Support and Development
Department Green Municipal Fund (GMF) – G&D – Net Zero Acceleration Programs
Classification Level 6
SalaryOur salaries generally range from $81,708 – $92,873, and are based on qualifications and experience
Languages English required, French is an asset
Term Temporary Contract (2 years)
Location Hybrid (Ottawa)Why GMF is the place for youAt GMF, we empower our people to create change where it has the most impact – municipalities. GMF is a $1.6 billion permanent endowment from the Government of Canada, managed at arm’s length, making it nimble and available for higher-risk, higher-impact initiatives. A further $530M investment into GMF to support the National Adaptation Strategy was announced in November 2022. Our team is committed to helping local governments switch to sustainable practices faster. GMF is the cornerstone program of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM).Our unique mix of funding, resources, and training gives municipalities the tools they need to build resiliency and create better lives for Canadians. Through GMF, municipalities have reduced carbon emissions; built better transportation assets; constructed efficient and resilient buildings; diverted waste from landfill; made previously unusable land available for development; and improved soil and water quality.You in this roleThe GMF Programs department encompasses a suite of climate mitigation and adaptation funding, and capacity development initiatives designed to accelerate the transformation of the municipal sector towards a net-zero, resilient, equitable future.As an active member of the Programs Support and Development team, the Advisor, Programs Support and Development acts as an internal consultant helping GMF deliver high quality, effective programs to our clients. The Programs Support and Development team works across GFM’s programs department, as well as with senior leaders, to provide services in three areas:

• Programs alignment and continuous improvement: Build alignment between programs on key elements and lead special projects and continuous improvement initiatives that add value toward GMF’s strategic objectives.
• Program performance management: Contribute to developing and operationalizing performance management and measurement frameworks and conduct internal evaluations that enable GMF leaders to make decisions towards operational and strategic outcomes.
• Program development and design support: Contribute to the development of new funding offers and updating of existing ones to ensure that GMF funding supports local governments’ needs and are well integrated with overall GMF operations.

The Advisor will lead projects across these services working closely with senior leaders, program directors, and program leads, as appropriate. As an internal consultant, Advisors bring a mix of technical background and expertise and strong conceptual thinking, influencing, and diplomacy skills to each project they take on.What you’ll be doingIn collaboration with the internal client (senior leader, program director, project lead) and with support from the Manager, Programs Support and Development, the Advisor will be responsible for defining the project, which will include:

• The scope of work to be conducted, with outcomes/deliverables and key milestones.
• Resourcing requirements, including roles and responsibilities of implicated staff.
• Level of effort appropriate to the project.

Programs alignment and continuous improvement:

• Lead and facilitate initiatives to align elements of program design, operations and reporting to achieve greater alignment and likelihood of achieving program objectives. This typically requires working across programs, with other departments, using influence and relationships to achieve concrete outcomes.
• Lead special projects and continuous improvement initiatives that support GMF’s operational and strategic outcomes.
• Plan and deliver change management efforts, including staff engagements, communication and training to successfully manage project implementation.

Program performance management:

• Support development of theories of change, logic models, and performance measurement frameworks (working closely with program directors, project leads, in-house experts).
• Work across departments to set up data architecture, collection and analysis systems to operationalize performance measurement frameworks.
• Set up decision-support systems and tools for senior leaders, program directors and project leads.
• Conduct internal evaluations or performance analysis and investigate program performance issues or risks, and develop recommendations.
• Lead initiatives that leverage data to communicate the impacts of programs, working closely with project leads and program directors.
• Support the GMF Programs department to build alignment around monitoring, evaluation and learning best practices, and grow the department’s capacity.
• Coordinate the research and deep-dive analysis of historical and current data across Programs initiatives to determine trends and uncover opportunities, insights and lessons learned.
• Identify, analyze and interpret trends and patterns in complex data sets at the department level to support the creation of reporting tools and learning across initiatives.

Program development and design:

• Lead the development of project charters and project plans.
• Provide strategic advice to program directors and project leads to leverage program design and implementation best practices and apply GMF lessons learned.
• Deliver work packages such as developing or updating guides, frameworks, reporting requirements and other document or process updates.
• Undertake research and engage with technical experts and municipal staff to better understand municipal sustainability needs, sector trends and opportunities, and validate program design directions.
• Lead internal and external consultations that respect people from diverse communities, backgrounds, and identities with a high degree of tact and diplomacy.
• Design and facilitate internal multi-stakeholder decision-making processes.
• Maintain an understanding of broader funding landscape and grant program best practices.

Other:

• Provide technical advice and guidance in areas of expertise, including advice on project eligibility and program design elements, as assigned.
• Proactively identify and manage competing demands in a rapidly changing environment, working closely with clients and the Manager, Programs Support and Development to adapt workflow to evolving needs and organizational priorities.
• Create RFPs and manage external consultants where outside expertise is required
• Deliver presentations to senior leaders.
• Foster a high-performing team environment, nurture team engagement, and share knowledge with others
• Contribute to developing materials for knowledge management, training, and process enhancement
• Adapt and reprioritize tasks to meet evolving expectations and priorities and ensure timely project milestones.

Your skills make us betterYou bring:Education:

• University degree in engineering, environmental science/studies, urban planning, business management or a related discipline, or combination of training and professional experience.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in a related role in municipalities, funders, not-for-profits, utilities, efficiency organizations, consulting, and other relevant organizations with a focus on sustainability.
• Experience working with technical experts or providing technical expertise in one or more of GMF’s programmatic areas: climate change mitigation or adaptation, land-use, circular economy (or waste), transportation, housing, community efficiency finance, and/or energy.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: municipal operations, funding program design and/or program performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proficient and confident in engaging with senior leaders and adept at fostering positive relationships and building trust.
• Strong record of leadership in a professional setting, including demonstrated facilitation, change management, consensus-building, consultation, and influencing skills.
• Demonstrated project management experience, including budgeting, work planning and monitoring
• Strong analytical, problem solving and strategic abilities, paired with the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills, including demonstrated flexibility to meet changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Knowledge of processes, principles, methodologies and best practices in lean methodologies an asset
• Experience in applying environmental justice, anti-racism and equity principles to sustainability program design and implementation an asset.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of systemic barriers and experiences of Indigenous peoples and members of equity-deserving groups, through lived experience and/or professional experience an asset.
• Experience working with Quebec municipalities an asset.
• Ability to communicate in written and verbal format in both official languages is a strong asset.

Why working here rocksWe prioritize work-life balance with our flexible model:

• When we say flexible work model, we mean that in collaboration with your manager and based on what your team needs, you have the flexibility to determine when you work so that you can enjoy a healthy balance between work and personal demands.
• While you do need to live in Canada for this role, you can primarily work from home. Travel may be required to Head Office in Ottawa periodically. The majority of the GMF team operates from the National Capital Region.
• We do like to visit the areas we are impacting and it allows us to see unique and wonderful parts of our country. You may find yourself traveling nationally 10-15% of the time.

We don’t just talk about employee wellness, we live it:

• Summer hours between July 1 and Labour Day:

• 7-hour workdays rather than 7.5
• Every Friday off in the summer
• Flexible work arrangements to support productivity and well-being
• Commitment to employee development
• Competitive range of employee benefits and services
• Office facilities located in the Byward Market and Ottawa’s downtown core

We’re 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.We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the recruitment and selection process.How to applyIf this role speaks to you and the impact you want to make, we’d love to hear from you! Apply today.The deadline to apply is April 27th, 2025.The future of work at FCM includes a hybrid work model; therefore, this role will be a combination of virtual and on-site work. The successful candidate is required to live within 80 km of downtown Ottawa and be authorized to work in Canada.For additional information on this posting, or for further information on FCM, access our website at . Learn more about the Green Municipal Fund at

Expected salary: $81708 – 92873 per year

Location: Ottawa, ON

Job date: Thu, 17 Apr 2025 07:54:52 GMT

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