Commerce Officers - Post-Secondary Recruitment

Important messages

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Duties

Commerce Officers are responsible for sector development and analysis within the agriculture and agri-food industry in Canada. They provide support to address issues affecting the competitiveness of the sector both domestically and internationally.

As a CO-DEV at AAFC, you will be part of a development program where you will be offered an excellent working and learning environment, various assignments, specialized formal training and mentoring to help you develop as a commerce officer.

Here’s a sample of what commerce officers in the development program may do:
- Gather market intelligence on specific sectors;
- Update and prepare sectoral profiles;
- Support senior officers in developing and executing outreach plans;
- Develop analytical reports on issues and trends affecting the agriculture and agri-food industry;
- Provide input on due diligence for project assessments;
- Create, analyze and present program and project data to internal clients;
- Provide support for meetings, events and projects;
- Strategically engage with representatives from the agriculture and agri-food industry;
- Contribute to analysis and recommendations regarding market issues;
- Prepare reports and briefing notes for senior management.

Work environment

Are you interested in a career where your skills, leadership and creativity are put to good use? Would you like to work in an exciting and diverse field, touching on all aspects of Canadian lives as well as consumers around the world? Do you want to work in a collaborative environment that has great benefits and future possibilities? If yes, then Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is a great fit for you!

The CO-DEV positions being filled are located at the national headquarters in Ottawa at 1341 Baseline Road. This location offers a well-equipped and affordable gym, ample parking at reasonable rates and is well served by buses. Spring through fall, employees bike to work, do fitness courses, play sports and enjoy the green space near the complex. It is also close to grocery stores, banks, restaurants and other conveniences.

AAFC is committed to work-life balance. The department is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers based on its exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.

Intent of the process

To establish a pool of qualified candidates that will be used to staff CO-DEV positions within AAFC in the National Capital Region.

The Commerce Officer Development Program offers post-secondary recruits at the CO-00 level, diverse work assignments, formal training tailored to the work and mentoring to help develop into excellent commerce officers.

Typically, participants will work and learn for 24 months at the CO-00 level before being assessed for promotion to the CO-01 level. Successful CO-01s will be given opportunities to develop skills and knowledge of the agriculture and agri-food sectors, and gain work experience in different areas of the department. Participants will also have the opportunity to develop competencies deemed essential at the CO-02 level.

Depending on the position being staffed, hiring managers may require additional qualifications where further assessments will be required. You will be provided the opportunity to submit information relevant to any additional qualifications that may be applied. Further assessment will be required.

Positions to be filled: 10

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION:
Graduation by June 2020, with a degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization** in Business Administration, International Trade, Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Food Sciences, or Agricultural Management.

Note: *Degree: Unless it is otherwise specified (e.g., Master’s degree), the term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.

** The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCES:
- Experience analyzing issues and developing strategies or options;
- Experience undertaking quantitative and qualitative analysis;
- Experience researching, interpreting and analyzing information from a variety of sources;
- Experience working with clients or stakeholders;
- Experience participating in projects or working groups.

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

EDUCATION:
Graduation by June 2020, with a Master's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization* in Business Administration, International Trade, Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Food Sciences, or Agricultural Management.

Note: * The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCES:
- Experience assessing financial statements or business plans;
- Experience participating in economic development projects or programs;
- Experience participating in multidisciplinary working groups or collaborative projects;
- Experience working with external stakeholders in the field of Agriculture and Agri-food such as non-governmental organizations, provinces/territories, industry.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Willingness and ability to travel;
- Willingness and ability to work overtime;
- Willingness and ability to relocate to the National Capital Region.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB, English Essential, French Essential

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

COMPETENCIES:
- Effective Written Communication
- Effective Interactive Communication
- Adaptability
- Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
- Working Effectively with Others
- Showing Initiative and Being Action Oriented
- Thinking Things Through (Reasoning and Judgment)

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

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - or Secret security clearance

Tests

How and when will I be assessed?

- You will receive an unsupervised internet test (PSEE UIT 370) at the end of October 2019 to be completed within a five (5) day window.

- If you are successful at the unsupervised test, you will be invited to the supervised in-person test (PSEE 371) that will be administered starting in November 2019.

For more information on these tests, the testing process and assessment accommodation, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/recruitment/graduates/post-secondary-recruitment.html

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

Each request for assessment accommodations will be individually reviewed. You will be asked to provide information regarding your limitations. If needed, professional documentation could be requested to determine the appropriate accommodation measures. For more information about assessment accommodation, please visit our website at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page.html

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.