Calling all Communications Managers and Senior Communications Advisors

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

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

INFORMATION YOU MUST PROVIDE
- A covering letter in 3,000 words (maximum)
- Your résumé
- Three (3) references including your current employer, a previous employer and a client, colleague or employee

NOTE: In the cover letter, you must provide concrete and detailed examples to clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the education and experience requirements listed in the essential qualifications. Other asset qualifications will be assessed at a later date, if applicable. The screening board will not make any assumptions about your experience. It is not sufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current duties. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each essential qualification. The prescribed approach is to use the wording of each experience criterion as a heading and then write one or two paragraphs demonstrating that you have the required experience and ensure that clear and accurate details are provided. Failure to clearly demonstrate how you meet the screening criteria will result in the rejection of your application. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to a position.

The application of the Asset Qualifications, random selection and/or top down selection may be used at any stage of the selection process.

Please indicate clearly in your letter of presentation for which level(s) you wish to be considered.

Duties

As the Manager/Senior Communications Advisor, you will be called upon to:
• Provide expert advice and guidance to multiple stakeholders, including the Minister, Deputy Minister and other senior departmental officials on communications issues, opportunities, challenges and alternative strategies;
• Manage the development and execution of a national communications strategy that supports and promotes the vision and mandate of the Department and improves the perceptions and experiences of stakeholders and Canadians;
• Manage a team providing a comprehensive range of communications services encompassing the development, implementation and evaluation of activities such as, but not limited to, external and internal communications, public affairs, media relations, social media and creative services, promotion/publicity, advertising, or event management;
• Coordinate the development and implementation of communications activities, in collaboration with regional communications managers, in support of pan-Canadian initiatives;
• Monitor effectiveness and recommend changes in guidelines, processes and programs to improve or secure public acceptance and cooperation; and
• Perform other related duties such as representing the departmental on internal and working groups.

Work environment

PSPC is the engine that powers the Government of Canada. We support the daily operations of over 100 federal departments and agencies. Our mission is to deliver high-quality services and programs that meet the needs of federal organizations and ensure sound stewardship on behalf of Canadians.

For a third year, Public Services and Procurement Canada has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers. We invite you to join an organization that is committed to ensuring an inclusive workplace and respect for all! As an organization, PSPC strives to give all its employees opportunities to achieve organizational, professional and personal goals in a respectful and inclusive workplace, mobilized and supported by leadership at all levels. As a federal public service representative, you play a key role for a public service that is collaborative, innovative, streamlined, high performing, adaptable and diverse. For more information on PSPC's People Management Philosophy and Our Commitments please see the following link: http://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/apropos-about/pe-pc-eng.html.

Intent of the process

You are already a seasoned communications or public relations guru. You are a Manager or Senior Communications Advisor and you are interested in a new challenge. Working in the Government of Canada interests you? Then, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) might just be the right place for you. PSPC is currently building an inventory of qualified communications and public relations experts to staff currently vacant positions and to respond to future needs.

The immediate intention of this selection process is to fill positions on term or indeterminate basis. A pool of partially qualified* candidates may be established through this process to staff identical or similar positions. The pool could be used to staff positions with different tenures, linguistic profiles or security requirements. All the positions to be filled are in the Ottawa/Gatineau area. No position elsewhere in Canada will be staffed using this selection process.

* Partially qualified simply means that the candidates will be deemed qualified except for the linguistic and security profiles which will be evaluated at a later date should the candidate be considered for an appointment.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 3,000 words (maximum)

Contact information for 3 references.

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

EDUCATION
Degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field related to the position.

*The term degree refers to a baccalaureate or higher degree as established by educational authorities.

NOTE: At the manager’s discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, may serve as an alternative to the minimum education standard.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

For IS-05 and IS-06 Levels
EX1 - At least 8 years of experience* developing and implementing communications strategies and products in support of high-profile or complex programs or projects.
EX2 - A trailblazer with the ability to develop and execute long-term planning.
EX3 - A communications strategist who takes on challenges and delivers corporate message aligned with the organization’s strategy.
EX4 - A communications specialist who has earned people’s respect and buy-in through demonstrated ability to conceptualize, initiate and execute significant projects or campaigns.
EX5 - A team builder with a demonstrated strong sense of professionalism and integrity.
EX6 - A professional with strong interpersonal effectiveness, including experience and comfort relating to senior leaders and decision-makers as well as experience in developing and maintaining effective internal and external stakeholder relationships in support of communications initiatives.

* The depth and breadth of experience that is normally acquired by performing a broad range of related activities will be taken into consideration in assessing the applications. The analysis will look at the amount, the complexity and the diversity of activities, as well as the autonomy level assumed by the candidate in performing the functions.

Mandatory qualification for applying to the IS-06 Manager level
EX7 - A leader having cumulated a minimum of one year of experience in direct supervision of employees, including responsibilities such as assigning work, managing performance including providing feedback and coaching, and preparing learning plans.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE
These other qualifications will be evaluated at a later date through a subsequent phase in the candidates’ assessment process. You will not be required to meet ALL the following asset experience factors. However, these other qualifications may be deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed to a position. If you are contacted at a later date for assessment of these other qualifications, it will be your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet the asset experience qualifications below.

AEX1 - Experience as a communications advisor or in a higher level communications position in the Federal Public Service, for a minimum cumulative period of one year*.
AEX2 - Strategic Communications
AEX3 - Internal Communications
AEX4 - Crises and Issues Management
AEX5 - Corporate Spokesperson/Media Relations
AEX6 - Outreach and Stakeholder Relations
AEX7 - Web, Social Media or Creative Services
AEX8 - Marketing or Advertising
AEX9 - Writing/Editing or Storytelling
AEX10 - Communications/Liaison with Minister's Office and Deputy Minister's Office

* Please indicate which category and level of the position(s) you occupied for the cumulative period (i.e.: IS-04, IS-05, IS-06, or other).

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

Various language requirements
Please note however that all positions with supervisory responsibility will have a bilingual CBC/CBC profile. The language factor is not used at the pre-selection stage. Only if and when successful candidates to this selection process might be considered for an appointment will they be evaluated to determine their second language proficiency.

Information on language requirements

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

ABILITIES
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES
Create Vision and Strategy
Mobilize People
Uphold Integrity and Respect
Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
Promote Innovation and Guide Change
Achieve Results

Note: For more information on the Key Leadership Competencies, please visit the following website: http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/tal/kcl/intro-eng.asp

OTHER COMPETENCY
Client Service Competency – Level 2: Ensure high-quality client service.

Note: You will find information regarding the PSPC Client Service Competency at https://www.tpsgc-pwgsc.gc.ca/sc-cs/csc-eng.html

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Willingness and ability to work overtime or extended hours on short notice.

Conditions of employment

Various security requirements (Reliability or Secret) - this factor is not used at the pre-selection stage. The organization is responsible for the 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

PROOF OF EDUCATION
You will be asked to provide proof of education credentials. Candidates with foreign credentials will be asked to provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/

COMMUNICATIONS
Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

Our intention is to communicate with candidates via email. Candidates who apply on this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and to make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is the candidate's responsibility to provide any changes to their personal information to the contact indicated on this job advertisement.

ASSESSMENT
An interview may be administered.

A written test may be administered. Recent and past communications strategy or products may be used as part of the assessment. Please be prepared to provide such documentation should it be requested.

Reference checks will be sought. Reference checks may be conducted at any point in the selection process.

Past performance evaluations may be requested.

Please note that for candidates applying from outside the public service, the Department will not reimburse travel expenses linked to the assessment process; however, every reasonable effort will be made to minimize travel costs for candidates who will undergo assessment.

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.