Source: Government of Canada
The Canadian Consulate General, Seattle is seeking Trade Commissioners (areas of specialization may include: Space; Aerospace; Defense/Security; Clean Tech; Life Sciences; Digital Health) for the International Business Development Section. This is an exciting opportunity to work with the Consulate General of Canada – a modern organization that focuses on its core business to provide key services to Canada and Canadians with enthusiasm and dedication. The Consulate General is seeking someone who is dynamic, client focused and ready to work with colleagues to implement an innovative approach to service delivery.
Position title: Trade Commissioner
Section: International Business Development Section
Location: Consulate General of Canada, Seattle, Washington
Position number: EXT-300752
Level: LE – 09
Starting salary: $100,893 USD plus benefits
Tenure: Indeterminate
Competition no: SEATL 2018 04
Date posted: December 24, 2018
Closing date: January 11, 2019
Open to:
Persons who meet all of the essential requirements as stated below, who are legal residents of Seattle Metropolitan area, who have work authorization, and whose applications are received by the closing date as well as employees of the Canadian Embassy and any Canadian Consulate in the US, and spouses and dependents of Canada-based staff.
Transfer:
Employees of the Consulate General of Canada, Seattle or any Canadian Mission in the U.S. 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. Relocation fees will not be paid in any circumstance
Employment tenure:
This is an indeterminate position. This competitive staffing process may be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates for this position and similar positions with various tenures, including term and acting opportunities.
Summary of duties:
In accordance with the International priorities of the Government of Canada and its specific objectives in the U.S., the incumbent is mainly responsible for providing integrated International Business Development (IBD) support to Canadian clients in the markets of the Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon and Washington).
More particularly, the incumbent is responsible for developing and executing an export strategy to promote Canadian products and services in the specified priority sectors, as well as attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) opportunities to Canada and for offering access to research, technology and venture capital business opportunities for Canadian firms and institutions. The incumbent will also be responsible for collaborating with other sector officers in delivering integrated support to customers by assisting on key projects as required.
In general, client-facing duties fall under four categories: developing and implementing a strategic and proactive plan to promote Canadian exports; developing and implementing a strategic FDI attraction plan, initiative and events; developing and implementing a strategic and proactive plan to seek research, technology and financing opportunities for Canadian firms and institutions; developing an effective network of Canadian and local partners to deliver on program objectives; and planning high-level visits.
Qualifications:
Essential requirements:
Candidates must demonstrate clearly how they meet the Education and Experience requirements listed below:
Education:
Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a field related to the duties required by the position or a degree from a recognised university and a minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience.
Experience:
- Extensive and recent experience in international business development in one or more of the identified sectors of interest or a related technology field.
- Minimum of five years experience working in a business development role with external clients.
- Significant experience in developing relationships with clients, stakeholders and influencers, and in obtaining, preparing, and conducting meetings with private sector clients (e.g., business to business meetings, sales meetings, cold calls, etc.).
- Experience in an office environment with working knowledge of Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, Excel, internet research and databases.
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:
The incumbent must have knowledge of: the role, priorities and programs of Global Affairs Canada, including the Trade Commissioner Service; commercial issues – in the US generally and in the Pacific Northwest (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington) in particular – that could have an impact on Canadian business interests; appropriate strategies for briefing senior officials and VIPs; knowledge of networking techniques.
Abilities & personal suitability:
- Ability to develop successful FDI and export promotion strategies to help advance Canadian economic prosperity;
- Ability to write and edit a variety of written materials, including power point presentations, in a professional manner;
- Ability to multi-task, prioritize and work under pressure and to meet deadlines; build strategic networks and maintain good relations with clients, partners, colleagues and targets;
- Effectively manage and deliver seamless high-level events;
- Influence, negotiate with and elicit co-operation from colleagues, partners and contacts;
- Learn and retain a wide range of information on relevant Canadian best practices, success stories, policies, initiatives, debates and issues; identify opportunities for advancing Canada’s Global Commerce Strategy priorities;
- Analyse and evaluate the public environment, policies, issues, programs, practices and other information in order to provide advice and recommendations;
- Problem-solve;
- Work effectively in a team environment and independently;
- Cope well with shifting priorities, unforeseen circumstances and changes in policies, procedures and/or direction; and work overtime on special projects and at program functions, as required.
Computer skills:
Word, Internet and database research, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.
Language:
Fluency in English both oral and written. (The ability to work in French would be an asset).
Competencies:
Demonstrated superior organizational and interpersonal skills (including networking) and other competencies including: sound judgment, adaptability and flexibility, initiative, resourcefulness, thoroughness, reliability, teamwork and cooperation, tact and integrity.
Conditions of employment (must be met):
Eligibility for a Government of Canada Reliability Status which includes a criminal and credit
background check; and independent work authorization in the U.S.
Selection procedure:
The staffing process will consist of a review of all applications to ensure that applicants meet the essential requirements. Candidates should ensure their cover letter and/or resume demonstrate(s) clearly how they meet the essential requirements and any applicable desirable 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 the essential requirements may be contacted by the Consulate General 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.
The Consulate General 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 Consulate General is committed to conducting inclusive, barrier-free selection processes.
Method of application:
Applications are to be sent by e-mail to:
seatl@international.gc.ca by midnight 11-January-2019. On the subject line of email, write only your last name in all caps followed by this competition number: SEATL-2018-04. Hard copy applications will not be accepted
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. There may be a need for overtime work, when required.