Commerce 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

Please ensure you read all poster notes thoroughly as they contain important information that will be required in the application process. Failure to read the notes and follow the instructions could result in your application missing critical information and having insufficient information for the assessment board to complete your assessment resulting in your elimination from the process.

**The assessment board cannot make any assumptions about your experience. It is insufficient to say that you have the required qualifications, to refer to your resume, or to list your current duties. When completing the screening questions, candidates must clearly demonstrate, using clear and concrete examples, how they meet essential and asset qualifications.**

PRE-SCREENING QUESTIONS: As part of your application, you must complete pre-screening questions.

FOR EACH CRITERION/QUESTION, please provide the following MANDATORY information:
1 - Name of the company or organization where the experience was acquired.
2 - Title of the position occupied and duration for which you exercised the functions.
3 - Specific details of tasks, projects or accomplishments demonstrating the experience was acquired.

The answers provided to the screening questions will be the main source of information used to evaluate applicants. Failure to provide complete answers may result in job applications being screened out from further consideration in this process. Applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

"Asset qualifications" could be used either at the screening phase or to determine which candidate will be appointed. Therefore, if candidates meet the asset qualifications, they should also describe in the related screening questions how they meet these qualifications using detailed and concrete examples.

REFERENCES: Candidates are asked to provide contact information for three (3) references. At least two (2) of the references provided must consist of former or current direct managers or supervisors in a work setting (whether paid or volunteer). Note that references will only be contacted after a candidate has succeeded at the interview stage.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Your ability to communicate effectively in writing will be assessed from your cover letter, resume and application.

Candidates may be eliminated at any point during the selection process if they fail to demonstrate any of the essential criteria through their behaviour, for example, through: communications with Human Resources, other informal communications, selection interview, reference check etc.

As the majority of positions are expected to be located in the National Capital Region (Ottawa and Gatineau), preference may be given to those candidates that have identified their willingness to accept a position in the National Capital Region in addition to one or more Regional Office locations.

Positions may also become available in other cities across Canada.

Work environment

The Government of Canada has set an ambitious agenda to make Canada the most globally connected economy in the world. Global Affairs Canada, and its Trade Commissioner Service, is a key part of that agenda supporting Canadian companies to grow internationally and diversify their exports. The Trade Commissioner Service has on-the-ground presence in 161 cities worldwide and offices in regions across Canada.

Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service offers challenging careers. Commerce Officers within the Trade Commissioner Service perform a variety of functions, including:

- Helping Canadian companies that have researched and selected their target markets meet their international business objectives through the provision of strategic advice and information, and by leveraging private and public sector networks;

- Analyzing, planning, implementing and promoting activities, initiatives or projects related to trade programs and services that support Canadian business as they engage in global commerce or that promote foreign direct investment in Canada; or

- Economic development analyses and other activities pertaining to international trade-related policies, negotiations, and legislation.

For more than 120 years, the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) has been helping companies navigate international markets. Do you see yourself as action-oriented, collaborative and committed to supporting the success of Canadian business abroad? If you answered yes, the TCS is hiring.

For further information on the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service, please visit http://www.tradecommissioner.gc.ca/

Intent of the process

This process will be used to create a pool of fully or partially qualified candidates to draw from for current, as well as over fifteen (15) anticipated vacancies, within Global Affairs Canada with various linguistic profiles (i.e. Bilingual Non-imperative BBB/BBB, Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC, English Essential) which may vary according to the position being staffed.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 350 words (maximum) "Written in a business letter format, the cover letter should describe the experience and skills that you would offer the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service and explain why you believe you would be a good candidate for this type of position. Please include the title, What I offer the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service."

Contact information for 3 references.

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

Education:
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field related to the requirements of the position (e.g., commerce, marketing, business administration, economics, international trade or another field related to the position).

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Relevant** experience working in a field related to (i) business development, (ii) international trade, (iii) investment, or (iv) science, technology and innovation.

Experience in analyzing and reporting on business, trade or economic matters.

Experience working on business development related activities within a company or organization.

**Relevant experience is understood to mean experience normally acquired through performing a range of tasks working in a related field for a minimum of one year. The one year or more of experience does not need to be consecutive.

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

Asset qualifications:
Education:
Master’s Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience in international business, investment promotion, or trade promotion.

Experience providing services to clients.

Experience working abroad.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Non-imperative - BBB/BBB, Bilingual Imperative - BBB/BBB,CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC, English Essential.

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of global economic trends that have an impact on how Canadian companies compete and succeed in international markets.

Competencies:
Client Orientation
Judgement
Teamwork and Cooperation
Resiliency and Adaptability
Influence and Alliance Building
Effective interpersonal relations
Initiative
Reliability

Abilities:
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to plan, organize and implement projects or events.

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

Organizational Needs:
In support of achieving a diversified workforce and our employment equity goals, qualified candidates who self-declare in a staffing process as members of indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and/or women may be selected for appointment to fulfill organizational needs.

Operational Requirements:
Periodic travel, including internationally.
Willingness to work overtime as required.
Driver’s Licence may be required for certain positions.

Conditions of Employment:
Secret security clearance

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

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.