Senior Program Officer

Important messages

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 use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Duties

As a Senior Program Officer within Programs Branch, the duties cover the direct delivery of grant and contribution programs. Activities can include but are not limited to assessing applications, negotiating agreements with clients, monitoring projects, ensuring deadlines are met, providing guidance to applicants and recipients, coaching clients before and after they apply, managing financial claims, formulating recommendations for approval and funding, and conducting business cases and financial analysis. Other activities may also include developing program policies, and working with consultants, private sector companies and organizations, and government partners.

Work environment

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, AAFC is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. AAFC’s Programs Branch manages consolidated program delivery for this sector.

Intent of the process

Immediate intent: The immediate intent is to staff five (5) full-time permanent positions. The work locations for these positions are limited to Guelph, Ottawa (Ontario) or Montreal (Quebec).

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities with various tenures, various linguistic profiles and various security requirements in the Department of Agriculture Agri-food Canada.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 5

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a relevant discipline such as marketing, international trade, agriculture, economics, commerce, business, public administration, social sciences, food sciences and nutrition OR an acceptable combination of education, training and experience in a related field for at least 5 years.

Degree equivalency

Experience in developing, implementing or delivering projects* or programs** involving the management of funding or budgets.
Significant*** experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with clients or external stakeholders****.
Experience in analyzing and synthesizing information AND providing written and oral advice and recommendations to senior management with the intent of seeking a decision relevant to a program and/or project.

*A project is defined as having a specific start and end point, milestones that are time specific, established budgets, and specific objectives that, when attained, signify completion.
**A program is defined as a service providing financial assistance to individuals, companies, associations and/or non-profits for specific projects or activities.
***Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of related activities for a period of at least two (2) years.
****Clients or external stakeholders are defined as individuals or groups outside the organization (such as private sector, not-for-profit organizations, research institutes and academia) to whom a service is being provided.

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

Various language requirements
Depending on the positions to be staffed, it may require the use of English, French or both languages.

English essential
French essential
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB
Bilingual Imperative CBC/CBC
Bilingual Imperative CCC/CCC

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of funding programs and priorities of the Canadian Government including issues relating to the agriculture and agri-food sector.
Knowledge of office software such as those used for spreadsheets, databases and presentations.

Writing Skills
Interactive Communications
Analytical Thinking
Initiative
Teamwork
Client Focus

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

Masters Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a relevant discipline such as marketing, international trade, agriculture, economics, commerce, business, public administration, social science, food science and nutrition.

Degree equivalency

Experience in negotiating, coordinating and managing contracts or funding agreements.
Experience in undertaking literature reviews, consulting subject experts and preparing reports or synopsis or making presentations to management on the findings.

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability, Visible Minorities, Women.

Willingness and ability to work overtime
Willingness and ability to travel
A valid Driver’s License may be required for some positions
Priority may be given to AAFC employees affected by workforce adjustment

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - OR Secret Status security clearance will be required (depending on the position being staffed).
Other conditions of employment may also apply, depending on the position being staffed.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Please identify the following on your application: substantive group and level; employment status; Personal Record Identifier (PRI).

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language(s) in their application.

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.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. 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).

Please note that candidates can be eliminated by the Public Service Resourcing System (PSRS) based on PSRS screening questions.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

The essential qualifications and additional qualifications may be assessed using various methods of evaluation including, but not limited to, interviews, written exams, PSC tests, and reference checking.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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