Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations

Duties

The Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations, is directly accountable for: advising on and/or managing critical and horizontal initiatives and major files on behalf of the Prime Minister, Cabinet and the Clerk of the Privy Council Office (PCO); leading significant change and continuous improvement in how the Government of Canada (GOC) communicates its current and future policy agenda; aligning and managing approvals for the communications and consultation functions through the Deputy Ministers (DM) and Communications Branches located in each department and agency; and for serving as the principal communications advisor to PCO, Prime Ministers Office (PMO) and Cabinet. This broad accountability includes the delivery of proactive functional leadership and capacity building, in collaboration with Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS), for the public service’s total communications community and the provision of a strategic, whole-of-government vision and authoritative communications advisory services to the most senior decision-makers in the GOC.

Intent of the process

To identify a group of qualified candidates who can be considered for this and similar positions within PCO. Information about qualified candidates may also be shared with other organizations within the federal public service in order to facilitate appointments to these organizations. This process is 'anticipatory' to plan for future vacancies.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 6,000 words (maximum) "You must submit a cover letter which clearly demonstrates how you meet EACH of the screening criteria (i.e. essential education, essential experience qualifications and asset experience qualifications). You must use the education and experience factors as a header and write one or two paragraphs for each demonstrating how you meet that criterion. For the experience criteria, you must provide concrete examples to illustrate where and how you gained the experience (it is not sufficient to simply state that you meet the qualification.) Your résumé will only be used as a secondary source to validate the experience described in the cover letter. Failure to provide an appropriate cover letter could result in the rejection of your application (you will not be prompted to provide missing or incomplete information.)"

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field relevant to the position

Degree equivalency

Experience in providing strategic advice to Ministers and Deputy Ministers, or equivalent levels on complex and sensitive communication issues

Experience in issues management

Experience collaborating and maintaining partnerships

Experience in managing significant financial and complex human resources matters

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Experience in government strategic communications

Experience in managing major public consultations or engagement processes

Experience in managing policy priorities and strategies at a government-wide level

Experience in managing issues requiring Cabinet consideration

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)
This job requires the use of both official languages (English and French.) The proficiency levels have been established taking into consideration the duties and responsibilities of the position. You will be tested to assess your level for written comprehension, written expression and oral proficiency in your second official language.

Information on language requirements

Knowledge and understanding of the public environment, including major public policy and economic issues

Create Vision and Strategy

Mobilize People

Uphold Integrity and Respect

Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders

Promote Innovation and Guide Change

Achieve Results

Ability to communicate orally and in writing

Ability to lead in an uncertain environment and under pressure

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Knowledge of communications strategies, including with traditional, web, and social media

Conditions of employment

Top Secret security clearance - As part of the security screening you will be assesses for your honesty and reliability, as well as your loyalty to Canada and reliability as it relates to that loyalty. For more information on the security screening, please visit: https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=28115

To conduct yourself in accordance with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector

To accept assignments and deployments within the Public Service in accordance with the Directive on Executive Compensation

Other information

COMPENSATION

Executive compensation is based on the principle of total compensation. Total compensation consists of both salary and non-salary elements (e.g. leave). Salary elements include base salary and performance awards. Performance awards for the achievement of key commitments are awarded based on the Directive on the Performance Management Program for Executives found at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=14226. Non-salary elements include the provisions found in the Directive on Executive Compensation found at: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=14220

RELOCATION

The provisions of the National Joint Council Relocation Directive apply for who are appointed from outside of the federal Public Service to the EX group. For more information visit:http://www.njc-cnm.gc.ca/directive/d6/en

INSURANCES

Executives are eligible for group benefit insurance plans listed below. For more information visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/topics/benefit-plans.html

Public Service Management Insurance Plan is a mandatory long-term disability plan and optional Life insurance for public service members who are executives.

Public Service Health Care Plan is an optional health care plan for federal public service employees and their dependents designed to supplement provincial health insurance plans.

Public Service Dental Care Plan is a mandatory dental services plan for federal public service employees and their eligible dependents for specific dental services and supplies not covered under a provincial health or dental care plan.

PENSION

For more information on the public service pension plan, a defined benefit pension plan, visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/services/pension-plan/prospective-members.html

NOTES RELATED TO YOUR CANDIDACY

Employees of the federal Public Service who wish to be considered for the position of Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet, Communications and Consultations, should apply on the internal advertised process 17-PCO-IA-AH-15638 which closes on April 28, 2017.

Only candidates who are deemed to meet each and every essential qualification can be considered for appointment (additional qualifications referred to as 'assets' might also be needed.)

Various assessment tools will be used in this process including interview and reference checks. All communications you provide throughout this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications. Please note that you will be required to provide proof of your education credentials.

You are entitled to participate in the assessment process in English and/or French; indicate your preference in your application.

Communication for this process will be sent via email or via the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS). It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.