Job Description

Summary of Duties:

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) - - is a network of more than 1000 trade professionals working in Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates located in 160 cities worldwide. It helps Canadian companies grow and operate internationally by connecting them with qualified contacts, business opportunities, and providing key information to help them succeed in markets around the world. The Trade Commissioner Service also works closely with Canada’s investment promotion agency (Invest in Canada - ), to help attract Foreign Direct Investment into Canada. In the United States, the Trade Commissioner Service has 16 offices, including the Embassy of Canada to the U.S.  which covers the District of Columbia (DC), Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), and West Virginia (WV) .

Under the general direction of the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Embassy of Canada to the United States, the positions contribute to the successful delivery of the International Business Development (IBD) program. The positions are responsible for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector (which includes but is not limited to cyber security, artificial intelligence, financial technologies, telecommunications, and advanced manufacturing technology) and the foreign direct investment file.  These areas of focus are subject to change based on operational requirements.

 

Senior Trade Officer

The Senior Trade Officer will support Canadian companies that are seeking to grow their business and will strategically work with a rich local network of potential US customers, distributors, agents, value-add resellers, investors, and partners.  

Responsibilities include:

• Developing, planning, and implementing a business development program for Canadian ICT clients which includes identifying relevant local contacts on a proactive and reactive basis, finding opportunities for clients, advising clients, engaging with stakeholders, managing budgets, tracking and reporting results, planning and delivering projects or events, supporting official government official visits, collaborating with other colleagues, and identifying and implementing opportunities for continuous improvement;
• Building a network of diverse local contacts supporting program objectives and client service;
• Building a network in Canada and a pipeline of clients;
• Providing outstanding services to Canadian clients;
• Conducting in-depth research from a wide range of sources to identify relevant contacts and analyze trends in the market, matching opportunities to capabilities in Canada;
• Developing short-and long-term strategies to advance the success of Canadian companies in DC, MD, VA, and WV.

 

Senior Investment Officer

The Senior Foreign Direct Investment Officer plans, develops and delivers business development strategies to attract investments from foreign companies and facilitate Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Canada. This includes developing strategies, relationships with key clients as required and providing expertise in the associated development of strategic, operational, annual business plans, goals, objectives and policies.

Responsibilities include:

• Providing advice, expertise and recommendations on investment opportunities and strategies, business environment, research and innovation, policies, and market intelligence as well as opportunities and challenges aligned with the government economic growth strategy;
• Revising and developing policy and project-related documents such as presentations, plans, briefing notes, notices, funding estimates, contracts, reports and communication materials, and providing substantive technical input into program planning and the development of documents related to the investment program;
• Conducting or leading research, analysis, and scanning the environment for intelligence and reports on changes, trends, local developments, emergent opportunities and sector priorities that could have an effect on Canadian interests; 
• Synthesizing information or data from a variety of sources on international trade, financial and macroeconomic issues to support FDI business activities;
• Establishing and maintaining a network of contacts and deepening relationships with local and foreign governments, local partners, municipal investment agencies as well as corporate investors headquartered in the territory and intermediaries who can refer FDI targets and leads;
• Cultivating close and diligent working relationships with executives as well as with key local and multi-national companies, including those already present in Canada to identify further investment opportunities and stay abreast of local developments, changes, policies and programs that may have an impact on the investment program;
• Providing substantive input in communication that is required to advance Canadian interests and to have a detailed understanding of corporate leaders in their respective industry sectors, which may be appropriate targets for investment promotion;
• Representing Canada’s interests and negotiating with foreign authorities   on complex issues involving Canadian business to support the integration of the investment program into other mission activities.

 

 

Area of Selection:

This selection process is open to all applicants legally residing in the United States at the time of appointment. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to the United States does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly.

The Government of Canada is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse sections of the community. Candidates will be considered based on merit. Our organization offers an inclusive workplace where respect, teamwork, and collaboration are part of our culture. Canada’s missions abroad are committed to promoting and supporting an environment free from harassment and discrimination, as well as encouraging and supporting employees to learn and develop their skills and competencies.

 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates will initially be screened against the Essential Qualifications relating to education, language* and experience.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate when applying to the position how they meet each of these essential qualifications.

*Language will be assessed further during the process. 

 

Education:

Candidates will be required to provide proof of the completion of their education.

• Degree from an accredited college or university; 

or

• An acceptable combination of education, training, and work experience related to the duties and specific areas of competence required by the position, including but not limited to business, economics, and technology.

Language:

• An advanced proficiency in English (oral and written).  

 

Experience:

• At least 5 years of professional experience working in business development, investment attraction or program management in one or more of the following sectors: Information and Communications Technology (e.g. Telecommunications, Cyber Security, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Enterprise Software, Software as a service, Internet of things, Logistics and supply chain technology, Education technology, and Financial Technology); Agribusiness, Advanced Manufacturing, Cleantech, Natural Resources, or Life Sciences;  
• Experience managing client and stakeholder relationships and in providing client service support to customers/clients;  
• Experience conducting research and analysis and providing strategic advice, briefings or experience in writing reports to management or clients on business issues;  
• Experience in project management (which may include strategic planning, project execution, tracking/reporting results and managing budgets).  

 

RATED REQUIREMENTS

The Rated Requirements are part of the essential qualifications and are relating to abilities and competencies. Methods of assessment for rated requirements may include, but are not limited to, a written examination, an oral interview (online pre-recorded/live or in-person), role-play, practical tests, presentations and/or psychometric assessment.

 

Competencies:

• Working with others and horizontal leadership
• Client orientation
• Initiative and action orientation
• Resilience and adaptability
• Judgement and discretion
• Strategic Thinking and Decision Making

 

Abilities: 

• Ability to communicate effectively orally  
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing  
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with a network of local U.S. contacts, Canadian stakeholders, and internal clients to support business development, identify business leads or attract investment 
• Ability to plan and deliver programming for, or services to, start-ups or small-medium sized businesses or for foreign direct investment attraction initiatives 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities with tight deadlines

 

Asset Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates who meet the Asset Qualifications. Where applicable, candidates must clearly demonstrate how they meet any asset qualifications.

• Ability to work in French  
• Knowledge of and deep network of key contacts relevant to the Information and Communications Technologies Sector in Washington DC., Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia
• Knowledge of the factors that influence foreign direct investment, expansion and relocation decisions for American companies looking at opening subsidiaries abroad, including Canada's value proposition for American Investors

 

Operational Requirements:

• Normal hours of work for this position are in accordance with the Locally Engaged Staff (LES) regulations of 37.5 hours per week;  
• The successful candidate must be willing to work evenings and overtime as required;  
• Successful candidate must be willing to travel throughout the Embassy of Canada’s territory or elsewhere in the United States, and on occasion, to Canada;  
• Location of work: Work is normally performed on-site with some limited flexibility for teleworking.  

Conditions of Employment:

Conditions of employment must be met or complied with before being appointed to a particular position, and are to be maintained throughout the employment while being the incumbent of this position.

- Valid work authorization:  Ability to obtain and hold a valid work authorization covering the entire employment period.

- Security screening:  Obtain and maintain a Reliability Status (security level) which includes a criminal and credit background check from the Government of Canada covering the entire employment period.

 

Special Request from Mission / Additional Comments:

Our organization offers an inclusive workplace where respect, teamwork, and collaboration are part of our culture. Canada’s missions abroad are committed to promoting and supporting an environment free from harassment and discrimination, as well as encouraging and supporting employees to learn and develop their skills and competencies. Canada’s strength is diversity and it has played a key role in Canada’s history and development. Because of this, the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC values diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce.

We offer a competitive salary, generous leave, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, long term disability and a retirement savings plan. Please find a summary of our benefits package and information on employment eligibility at: Jobs at our offices in the United States (international.gc.ca)

 

How to Apply

• You must submit your application using the "Apply online" function. Only applications submitted via VidCruiter will be considered, unless a valid reason is presented and accepted prior to the closing date.
• Do not include personal data such as; age, date of birth, gender, marital status, family status, religion or a picture in your application form, CV nor cover letter (as required). Please only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the job poster.
• You must clearly demonstrate in answering the screening questions how you meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential and asset qualifications. You must provide specific examples to demonstrate clearly how you meet the qualifications. Global Affairs Canada cannot make any assumptions about your studies nor experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing your current duties will not be sufficient. Instead, you must provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the experience. No additional information will be sought beyond what you submit in your online application.
• Candidates may be required to upload a CV and/or a cover letter in English or French. These documents may be used as a secondary source to validate the answers to the screening questions.
• Applications which do not include all of the requested documents or information and/or which are not received by the closing date will be rejected.
• Candidates who are unable to submit their application due to technical difficulties must report these to  LES-E-Recruitment-WSHDC@international.gc.ca prior to the closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being rejected.

 

Important Notes

• Only applications submitted in one of the official languages of Canada will be accepted (English or French).
• The language requirement for this position is identified under the essential qualifications (language). In consequence, the assessment process for this vacancy will be conducted in English.
• Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidates to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

• Candidates must provide an email address that accepts email from unknown users and regularly check their email, including spam folder.
• Reference checks may be sought for candidates who succeeded all of the assessments.
• Please note that the Embassy of Canada to the United States does not reimburse any travel costs to and from interviews/exams nor does it reimburse any relocation costs.
• Before an offer of employment can be made, successful candidates must provide a local residence address as proof of residence in the specified area of selection. This information is necessary to issue a letter of offer.
• As recently announced by the Government of Canada, the  Policy for Mandatory Vaccination: Canada and the Mission Network is suspended as of June 20, 2022. The Government of Canada will continue to assess the need for additional public health measures, including the possible reintroduction of a vaccination mandate at a later date.
• We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact us at  LES-E-Recruitment-WSHDC@international.gc.ca to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
• The results of this selection process may also be used to establish one or more pools of fully or partially qualified candidates for similar term, indeterminate, part-time or full-time openings at the Embassy of Canada to the United States which might arise following the completion of this selection process.
• For Canadian citizens/residents and Canadian dual nationals, please note that it is your responsibility to enquire with the Canadian Revenue Agency about any possible taxation implications linked to an employment with the Government of Canada.

Job Tags

Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Worldwide, Relocation, Afternoon shift,

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