Summary of Duties:
The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service Office in Palo Alto is part of a network of professionals working in Canadian embassies, high commissions, and consulates located in 160 cities worldwide. It helps Canadian companies succeed in markets around the world and attracts foreign investors to Canada. In the United States, the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) - www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca - has 16 offices, including the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, which provides a variety of other services, including consular services and diplomatic relations with the states of California and Hawaii.
Under the general direction of the Senior Trade Commissioner at the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco, the Senior Officer contributes to the successful delivery of the International Business Development program. The position is responsible for the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector (which includes but is not limited to cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, financial technologies, enterprise software, gaming, extended reality, telecommunications, computing, sensors and advanced manufacturing technology). This area of focus may change based on operational requirements.
Responsibilities may include:
- Developing, planning and implementing a business development program for Canadian clients (i.e. Canadian technology companies developing their global client base or seeking partnerships with local buyers or investors) that includes identifying business development opportunities, delivering strategic and high-touch services to Canadian clients, and tracking and reporting results;
- Managing a budget, planning and delivering business development or foreign investment attraction activities and events, supporting official visits from Canada and business delegations to Canada, and identifying and implementing opportunities for continuous program improvement;
- Building and maintaining a strong network of diverse local contacts to support program objectives, which may include identifying mentors, subject-matter experts and potential clients, partners and investors, and executives in local and multi-national companies;
- Collaborating closely with Canadian stakeholders and partners, Consulate colleagues, headquarters and other TCS offices in the U.S. and around the world to support program delivery;
- Conducting in-depth research from a wide range of sources to analyze trends in the market matching the opportunities to capabilities in Canada or to support foreign investment attraction activities;
- Developing short- and long-term strategies to advance success of Canadian companies in Northern California and Hawaii or to attract investment to Canada from these regions;
- Drafting content for social media and other marketing/promotional material.
Area of Selection:
Open to all applicants legally residing in the San Francisco Bay Area at the time of appointment. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
Please note that the Canadian Trade Office in Palo Alto 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.
- Bachelor's degree or undergraduate diploma
OR
- An acceptable combination of education, training, and work experience in a related field, including but not limited to business, economics, engineering, public affairs, law, and/or international relations.
Language:
Advanced proficiency level in English (reading, writing, comprehension and speaking).
Experience:
- Minimum of three years of experience in one or more sectors relating to digital technologies, including 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, or Life Sciences;
- Experience managing client and stakeholder relationships and in providing client service support to customers/clients;
- Experience in project management (which may include strategic planning, project execution, tracking/reporting results and managing budgets);
- Experience conducting research and analysis and providing strategic advice, briefings or experience in writing reports to management or clients on business issues.
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:
- Strategic Thinking and Decision Making;
- Resilience and adaptability;
- Judgement and discretion;
- Initiative and action orientation;
- Networking and alliance building;
- Working with others and horizontal leadership;
- Client orientation.
Abilities:
- 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 Northern California;
- Knowledge of the factors that influence foreign direct investment, expansion and relocation decisions for U.S. companies looking at opening subsidiaries abroad, including Canada's value proposition for U.S. 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;
- Location of work: Work is normally performed on-site with some limited flexibility for teleworking;
- Willingness and ability to travel domestically/internationally as required and to maintain a valid passport for international travel including Canada;
- Willingness and ability to work occasional overtime outside normal working hours (e.g. early mornings, evenings and weekends) and potentially on short notice;
- The Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco observes a combination of US and Canadian statutory holidays, which means you will be required to work on certain country holidays.
Conditions of Employment:
- 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:
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).
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 Canadian Trade Commissioner Service Office in Palo Alto values diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce.
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 Canadian Trade Office in Palo Alto 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, 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 Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco and its Office in Palo Alto 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.
