# Program Manager at Resilient Societies in Toronto, Canada… > Source: https://confidential.careers/job-detail/program-manager-resilient-societies-toronto # Program Manager Resilient Societies ** Toronto, Canada ** Full Time ** Product Jobs ** Canada ** New [Apply Now](https://confidential.careers/go/17252565) ** Save ## Job Description - Reports to: Chief Executive Officer - Position: Full-time, two-year fixed-term; possibility of extension subject to funding - Location: Remote, with occasional in person meetings; Ottawa or Montreal preferred. Toronto-based candidates may be considered - Salary: CAD $75,000-$80,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience, plus benefits and paid leave - Travel: 2-4 international travel per year, primarily to Europe - Start date: As soon as possible, ideally in October 2026 ### About Resilient Societies Resilient Societies (RS) is a Canadian nonprofit organization working to protect civic space and strengthen the agency and resilience of civil society actors and human rights defenders confronting repression, exclusion and democratic backsliding. RS works particularly with people from closed and closing civic spaces, including those continuing their work in exile. RS connects frontline experience with research, policy influence, collaborative action and practical support. ### The Opportunity RS is seeking an experienced Program Manager to provide strategic and operational leadership across its growing portfolio. The role’s initial priority will be leading RS’s work on building resilience to Transnational Repression (TNR) in MENA, a multi-partner initiative combining participatory research, advocacy, knowledge mobilization and capacity strengthening to support exiled human rights defenders and civic actors facing transnational repression. The Program Manager will be a key member of the RS management team. Working closely with the CEO, the successful candidate will translate strategy into disciplined delivery, maintain trusted partnerships, represent RS with senior government, multilateral and civil society stakeholders, and contribute to organizational strategy, program development and institutional growth. ### Key Responsibilities - Lead the planning and delivery of RS’s building resilience to transnational repression program, working with regional partners on implementing research, advocacy, capacity strengthening and knowledge mobilization activities. - Translate agreements, results frameworks and budgets into clear workplans, schedules, responsibilities, risk controls and high-quality deliverables. - Coordinate closely with the lead organization, regional partners, program staff, consultants and technical experts; supervise and mentor personnel as assigned. - Oversee participatory research and knowledge products, including scopes, methodologies, research ethics, security protocols, peer review and publication quality. - Develop and deliver advocacy strategies, senior briefings, policy dialogues, roundtables and other engagement with governments, multilateral organizations and civil society. - Build and steward strategic relationships with partners, funders, networks and research institutions in Canada, Europe, the MENA region and other relevant locations. - Contribute to new program design, concept notes, proposals, donor stewardship and partnerships that advance RS’s broader mission and sustainability. - Oversee monitoring, learning, narrative reporting, budgets and donor compliance in collaboration with the Finance and Operations Officer and programs officer(s). - Apply strong safeguarding, confidentiality, research ethics, digital-security, duty-of-care and do-no-harm practices throughout the work. - Contribute to organizational planning, program quality, institutional systems and representation, and undertake international travel, primarily to Europe. ### Qualifications and Experience - At least seven years of progressively responsible experience in human rights, civic space, democratic governance, international development, or a closely related field, including significant program-management responsibility. - Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-year or multi-partner initiatives involving research, advocacy, capacity strengthening and international collaboration. Experience managing grants with Global Affairs Canada and International Development Research Center (IDRC) is an asset. - Strong knowledge of transnational repression, human rights defenders, exile and diaspora civic action, authoritarianism or shrinking civic space; relevant MENA experience is desirable. - Strong skills in partnership development, facilitation, team leadership, risk management, budgeting, monitoring and donor reporting. - Proven ability to engage credibly and diplomatically with senior government officials, multilateral institutions, civil society leaders, funders, researchers and frontline civic actors. - Experience overseeing applied or participatory research and translating evidence into policy, advocacy and practical programming. - Strong skills in partnership development, facilitation, team leadership, risk management, budgeting, monitoring and donor reporting. - A graduate degree in a relevant discipline, or an equivalent combination of education, lived experience and professional achievement. - Excellent written and spoken English, required for donor reporting and regular collaboration with international partners. Fluency in French is a strong asset. - Legal authorization to work in Canada and ability to undertake international travel. **Our commitment:** RS is committed to an inclusive, safe and respectful and accessible workplace. We value professional expertise alongside lived experience and strongly encourage applications from people with direct experience of closed or closing civic spaces, exile, transnational repression, human rights defence or historically underrepresented communities. Accommodation is available throughout the recruitment process upon request. #J-18808-Ljbffr Posted September 3, 2026