POST:Trade Commissioner

Embassy of Canada
Location: Washington, D.C.
Last Date: January 24, 2010
Email: resume@international.gc.ca

COMPETITION POSTER

POSITION TITLE: Trade Commissioner

SECTION: Office of Liaison with International Financial Institutions (OLIFI)

LOCATION: Embassy of Canada, Washington, D.C.

POSITION NUMBER: EXT 300573X

LEVEL: LE-09

STARTING SALARY: $73,936 USD plus benefits

COMPETITION NO: 01/10

DATE POSTED: January 15, 2010

CLOSING DATE: January 24, 2010
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OPEN TO: Embassy employees, spouses and dependents of Canada-based staff and other persons who meet all of the essential requirements stated below, who have work authorization in the U.S., and whose applications are received by the closing date.

TRANSFER: Employees of the embassy currently at these levels may apply by requesting a transfer. You will be part of the competition and will be assessed against the rated requirements. You must advise your current supervisor of your interest. Please specify which position for which you are applying.

TENURE: Indeterminate.

SUMMARY OF DUTIES: Under the general direction of the Counsellor (Commercial), the Trade Commissioner for International Financial Institutions(IFIs) implements the Commercial Section's international business development program for the Washington-based International Financial Institutions (IFIs): The World Bank Group and the Inter-American Development Bank. In addition the Trade Commissioner (IFIs) monitors US Government development programs and other relevant international organizations based in Washington. The Trade Commissioner manages a Senior Commercial Assistant for the IFIs who provides comprehensive program support.

Major responsibilities of the Trade Commissioner (IFIs), in line with the current business plan developed by OLIFI, include: providing high quality service to Canadian business clients; developing and maintaining a solid local contact network; supporting an in-Canada network of organizations promoting IFI business; coordinating the worldwide OLIFI network; identifying, preparing and disseminating market information to Canadian clients; initiating and managing promotional activities; troubleshooting; as well as other priority trade development activities.

IFI Business opportunities resulting include procurement for IFI-financed projects in borrowing countries, corporate procurement by the IFIs themselves, and investment opportunities with the IFIs' private sector windows. Another significant player in Washington's development market is the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which also generates significant procurement opportunities for the Canadian private sector. The Trade Commissioner should have a familiarity with the global international development assistance field and the World Bank and IDB's role within that field.

OLIFI's network of contacts are mostly staff at the IFIs in Washington and their offices around the world as well as private sector partners of Canadian clients. OLIFI's business clients are a unique subset of Canadian firms: organizations and individuals that are pursuing contracting opportunities in the development sectors where the IFIs are active. OLIFI's clients also include Canadian industry associations, other Canadian government departments (OGDs), crown corporations, provincial governments and offices of the Trade Commissioner Service in borrowing countries.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT:
English (The ability to work in French is an asset).

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT (must be met): Eligibility for a Government of Canada Reliability Status which includes a criminal and credit background check.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS: Candidates must demonstrate clearly how they meet the Education and Experience requirements listed below:

EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration or Commerce or a discipline related to the job requirements; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

EXPERIENCE:

1. Familiarity with the roles, operations and priorities of the Washington-based IFIs;

2. Experience of working with developing countries from a commercial promotion and/or development assistance perspective;

3. A minimum of three years relevant business experience.

RATED REQUIREMENTS:

Candidates who meet the Education and Experience requirements will be assessed on the following qualifications. The assessment may be a written test, an interview, an in-basket exercise, a skills test, or any combination of these methods.

KNOWLEDGE:

1. Knowledge of Canada: Canadian export capabilities, client issues and concerns;

2. Knowledge of the mandate and priorities of the Washington-based IFIs, as well as other international development organizations based in Washington;

3. Knowledge of international marketing and how IFI procurement works;

4. Knowledge of business practices and/or development assistance programs in developing countries.

ABILITIES:

1. Networking and alliance/partnership building;

2. Team work;

3. Presentation and oral communications skills;

4. Business writing skills;

5. Use of information management tools to organize work (e.g. project management, time management and, contacts management) as well as standard office suite applications (e.g. word processing, internet, e-mail and database);

6. Strategic thinking, ability to detect and anticipate new trends and opportunities;

7. To synthesize and distill information in order to communicate effectively.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY:

1. Good judgement;

2. Good interpersonal skills;

3. Initiative and creative approach to problem solving;

4. Effective interactive and intercultural communication skills to deal tactfully and effectively with people of various backgrounds and nationalities.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS:

1. Ability to speak Spanish.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:

The staffing process will consist of a review of all applications to ensure that applicants meet the essential requirements. PLEASE NOTE THAT FAILURE TO MEET ANY OF THE ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS ELIMINATES CANDIDATES FROM FURTHER CONSIDERATION IN THE COMPETITION. Only those applicants who meet these will be contacted by the Human Resources Section for an interview or other form of assessment of the Rated Requirements.

The assessment can include an interview, a written test and other tests that will consist of a series of questions designed to evaluate each applicant's knowledge, abilities and personal suitability for the position.

An eligibility list of qualified candidates will be established for this position, and for similar positions.

All candidates are presumed to have pre-existing legal status to live and work in the U.S.. Confirmation in post is subject to security clearance.

The Embassy offers a competitive salary, generous leave and a strong benefits package to include medical, dental, long term and short term disability, and a retirement savings plan to name a few.

The Embassy is committed to conducting inclusive, barrier-free selection processes.

METHOD OF APPLICATION:

Applications should be sent by e-mail to: resume@international.gc.ca by the closing date. In completing their applications, candidates should confirm that they meet all the essential requirements and take care to relate their work experience to the position description and indicate the position number. Interested candidates are also welcomed and encouraged to seek additional information on the work of OLIFI from our website: www.IFIWashington.gc.ca.

HOURS OF WORK:

Normal hours of work for this position are in accordance with the Locally Engaged Staff (LES) regulations of 37.5 hours per week.