Deputy Commissioner, Research, Policy and Education

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Assessment accommodation

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) protects Canadian financial consumers. The agency supervises federally regulated financial entities, ensuring that they comply with consumer protection measures set out in legislation, and promotes financial education, strengthening the knowledge, skills and confidence of Canadians and raising awareness of consumer rights and responsibilities.

FCAC is at a critical point in its evolution. To be an authoritative voice in financial consumer protection matters, financial consumer behaviours and innovations in the financial sector, the agency must bolster its research and policy capacity. It must also sharpen its focus in areas such as financial education to maximize the value of its unique contributions. Research, Policy and Education is a new branch, which concentrates expertise currently found throughout the organization to achieve greater impact. Reporting to the Commissioner, this newly created Deputy Commissioner role will help the branch and agency think about its roles in new ways.

One of two new Deputy Commissioners, this role is responsible for providing strategic leadership and operational oversight for FCAC’s research and policy, consumer education and financial literacy activities. A visionary leader in the research, public policy and/or financial education fields, the ideal person will be known for their insights and innovation, their integrity, and their ability to engage with and mobilize colleagues, staff and stakeholders, including domestic and international partners and the public.

The Deputy Commissioner, Research, Policy and Education Branch is a critical position for enabling FCAC to become more proactive and strategic in its research, policy development and financial education roles. As an integral member of the Executive Committee, they will also bring their leadership, collaboration and values to bear in advancing the strategic objectives and priorities of the agency as a whole. With a mantra of one mandate, one team, FCAC aims to marshal its collective expertise and effort to be a leader and innovator in financial consumer protection.

This appointment is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act. The authority to appoint a Deputy Commissioner is conferred upon the Commissioner by the FCAC Act. FCAC will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to reference your ability to speak and understand your second official language in your application. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

Work environment

FCAC is a separate agency that operates in a fast-paced and rapidly evolving environment. Today’s financial marketplace is complex, global and constantly in flux. Likewise, FCAC must be innovative and agile to remain a trusted authority in financial consumer protection. Its greatest strength is its people, a knowledgeable, experienced and passionate team of approximately 150 professionals that draw on the diversity of their skills and expertise to advance the agency’s mandate.

Located in downtown Ottawa, FCAC offers a competitive salary and benefits package, which includes a minimum of four weeks of vacation leave per year and the ability to earn performance pay. The agency offers the same pension and group insurance benefits plans as the core public administration. However, it operates in an unrepresented environment and has its own classification and compensation systems.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one position on an indeterminate basis.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

A degree from a recognized university with specialization relevant to the position, or an acceptable combination of relevant education, job-related training and/or experience;

Degree equivalency

Significant* executive-level management experience in a private or public sector organization, including the management of human and financial resources (see note below);

NOTE:
Financial management: applicants must show evidence of managing and being accountable for a budget. This experience is defined as being responsible for sound financial planning, forecasting and reporting. Applicants must also indicate the size of the budget they managed directly.

Human resources management: applicants must clearly demonstrate that they have managed employees, including performance management, and developed or contributed to the development of human resources plans. Applicants must indicate the number of employees they supervised directly.

Experience in leading evidence-based policy development, analysis and evaluation relating to complex cross-cutting regulatory, supervisory, social or economic policies and programs;

Experience in developing, managing and evaluating programs and initiatives relating to the mandate;

Significant* experience in setting strategic direction and providing advice to senior management on organizational program policy issues and priorities;

Experience collaborating and maintaining effective relationships with external stakeholders (i.e. executive committees, boards of directors, CEOs and/or senior government officials).

* Significant experience is understood to mean the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of complex related activities.

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

Graduate degree or other advanced degree or qualification from a recognized post-secondary institution;

Degree equivalency

Experience in applying quantitative methods to better understand the financial sector and consumer behaviour.

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

English essential
Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of market conduct and consumer protection issues, and financial literacy and consumer education approaches;
Knowledge of the professional practices and standards for the compilation of research, reporting and presentation of research findings;
Knowledge of trends and emerging issues in the financial sector, including how technological changes are influencing the sector and can be used to the benefit of consumers;
Knowledge of the mandate and activities of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada and the legislative framework in which it operates.

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

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

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

Ability to manage and motivate to effect major organizational change and achieve positive outcomes.

Operational requirements: Travel within and outside Canada is required as well as potential for overtime.

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

In submitting your resume, applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the education and experience factors listed under the essential qualifications.

IMPORTANT: Failure to do so will result in the rejection of your application. Applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

An interview and reference checks will be performed.

Recent and past performance evaluations may be used as part of the process.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications identified on the Statement of Merit Criteria.

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.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

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.

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.