Communications Advisor

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

The position is located in Ottawa, Ontario, but telework arrangements may be considered.

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

Duties

If you love to collect and analyze data and finding ways to share the story they tell, AAFC has a great opportunity for you. Do you have experience in public opinion research or consultations? We develop, conduct, analyse and coordinate public opinion research projects, and prepare summaries and analysis reports for both internal and external stakeholders.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 5,000 words (maximum) "Candidates must clearly demonstrate IN THEIR COVER LETTER how they meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential qualifications and for any relevant asset qualifications. Candidates must use the experience factors as a header and then write no more than two paragraphs demonstrating how they meet the experience required. Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the experience described in the cover letter. Failure to provide this information in the requested format will result in your application being rejected."

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

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Notes:
1. Based on their education, training and/or experience, indeterminate incumbents of positions in the IS classification are deemed to meet the minimum education standard whenever a bachelor's degree without specialization is called for in a position classified as IS.
2. At the manager's discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, may serve as an alternative to the minimum education standard.

IF YOU HAVE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS, please follow the link below for information on how to obtain a degree equivalency. You must obtain an equivalency, at your own expense, in order to be considered for appointment into the public service.

Degree equivalency

Recent* and significant** experience in providing input to market research analyses, strategies or plans.

Recent* and significant** experience in designing, coordinating and/or conducting public opinion research projects (e.g. with public or private sector organizations).

Recent* experience in preparing research summaries, reports, briefing notes, or presentations.

*Recent means within the last five years.

**Significant usually means experience that was a core part of the candidate’s employment for at least three years.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of Government of Canada’s Directive on the Management of Communications: Mandatory procedures for Public Opinion Research.

Interactive Communication
Writing Skills
Strategic Thinking
Client Focus
Teamwork
Planning and organizing
Judgement
Initiative
Analytical Thinking

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

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in communications, public administration, political science, sociology or public opinion and policy analysis or a Graduate Certificate in research analysis or Marketing Research and Business Intelligence.

Degree equivalency

Recent* experience using online survey software (e.g. FluidSurveys, Voxco, SimpleSurvey, etc.)

Recent* experience in preparing statements of work, proposals or contract specifications for research projects.

Recent* experience using Microsoft Excel, SPSS, R or other software tool for statistical analysis of opinion or marketing research data.

Experience conducting qualitative research such as interviews or focus groups.

Experience in writing public environment analysis reports.

*Recent means within the last five years.

Organizational Needs:

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.

Operational Requirements:

Ability and willingness to work overtime or adjust work schedule according to organizational needs on short notice.

Some travel may be required.

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

ASSESSEMENT 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.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

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

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

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.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

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 of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

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).

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

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.