Start your career as a COMMERCE OFFICER at AAFC

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

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We are committed to assessing all applications received prior to March 8th. Applications submitted after this date will be considered if additional needs are identified.
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As one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievements in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace. We encourage members of the following employment equity groups to apply and self-declare: Women (especially in non-traditional occupational groups), members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal people, and persons with a disability. Members of Employment Equity groups may be considered before other candidates and are encouraged to self-declare by checking off the appropriate box within the online application under the Employment Equity section.

*The term “Aboriginal” is used within this job advertisement as it relates to the Employment Equity Act and other legislative frameworks. The term “Indigenous” is used where possible, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

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

Participants in the Commerce Officer Development Program benefit from diverse work assignments, formal training tailored to the work and mentoring. Our goal is to give each participant the tools and opportunities required to develop into an excellent commerce officer.

Your career begins when you enter the program, which is designed so that participants are able to 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. We value continuous development, and particpants will also have the opportunity to develop competencies deemed essential at the CO-02 level.

As an employee at AAFC, you will be offered a competitive salary, generous vacation, paid leave for family and health, comprehensive benefits, and an attractive pension plan.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to establish a pool of participants for the Commerce Officer Development Program(CODP). We are committed to assessing all applications received prior to March 8th. Applications submitted after this date will be considered if additional needs are identified. For more information on what to expect when you apply, scroll the the OTHER INFORMATION section at the bottom of the poster.

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.

If you are an employee of the Public Service of Canada and are qualified through this process, you may be considered for assignment, secondment or deployment opportunities and the proper approval will be sought. Note that rates of pay may vary for internal candidates and will be determined in accordance with the Terms and Conditions of employment.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

In order to be considered for this opportunity, you must clearly demonstrate in the screening questions how you meet the EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE requirement. Please note that stating that the requirement has been met, and/or listing past or current responsibilities, is not sufficient. Rather, you must provide concrete examples that clearly illustrate how you meet the requirements.

For the EDUCATION requirements, we are looking for:

✔ Graduation by June 2021, with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in Business Administration, International Trade, Commerce, Finance, Accounting, Public Administration, Sciences, or Agricultural Management.

Degree equivalency

For the EXPERIENCE requirements, we are looking for:

✔ Experience in one or more of the following areas:
Quantitative/qualitative research
Policy analysis (trade, environment, economic, market)
Interpreting legislation or regulations
Interpreting and analyzing information from a variety of sources
✔ Experience preparing and presenting research and analysis findings
✔ Experience participating in projects and/or working groups
✔ Experience working with clients and/or stakeholders

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

Various language requirements
This inventory will be used to staff positions with various linguistic profiles, including English essential, French essential and bilingual positions. For bilingual positions, you must be able to work in English AND in French (Reading, Writing and Oral proficiency). We are looking for a bilingual profile of BBB/BBB or higher, if you aren't sure what that means, click on the link below!

Information on language requirements

The following COMPETENCIES will be assessed at a later date:
✔ 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)

Additional qualifications, such as those listed below, may be required by the hiring manager(s). You will be asked to provide additional information on these qualifications at a later date.

✔Masters or post graduate degree from a recognized university with acceptable
specialization in business administration, international trade, commerce, finance,
accounting, public administration and/or agricultural management

Degree equivalency

✔Experience participating in multidisciplinary working groups and/or establishing
collaborative projects
✔Experience working with external stakeholders (e.g., NGOs, provinces/territories,
industry) as it relates to the field of work
✔Experience conducting business, financial and/or sector analyses
✔Experience participating in economic development projects or programs

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

Information on employment equity

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - - or 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

As an equal opportunity employer, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is committed to achieving a skilled, diversified workforce that reflects the diversity of the Canadian population. We encourage members of the following employment equity groups to apply and self-identify: Women (especially in non-traditional occupational groups), members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal people, and persons with a disability.

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
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STAGE 1 - Application
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All applications received prior to March 8th, 2021 will be evaluated to assess the experience and education requirements.

You may have your assessment expedited by applying early! Screening of applications will commence on March 8th, 2021.

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STAGE 2 - Online Competency Assessment
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Candidates will be asked to complete an online standardized test to assess certain COMPETENCIES.
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STAGE 3 – Written Exam
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Candidates will be invited to complete a take home exam to assess additional COMPETENCIES.

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STAGE 4 - Interview
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Candidates will be invited to a virtual interview where all remaining COMPETENCIES will be assessed.

All candidates that qualify at this stage will be asked to provide proof of education, proof of citizenship, professional references and to complete and ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS questionnaire.

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STAGE 5 - Establishment of qualified pool
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All qualified candidates will be placed in a pool. Once the results of the pool become available to AAFC hiring managers, they will connect directly with individuals in the pool being considered for specific appointments. Reference checks may be conducted at this stage.

AAFC intends on making several appointments from this pool in 2021.

OTHER INFORMATION

⇨ Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under “Contact Information”.

⇨ We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you require special accommodation at any stage in the selection process, including technical aid or an alternative method of assessment to ensure an equitable assessment of your qualifications, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

⇨ Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply through the "Apply online" link below. Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language(s) in their application.

⇨ We will contact you by e-mail and/or via your GC Jobs account. Please ensure that your e-mail address is valid and accepts messages from unknown users. It is your responsibility to regularly check your e-mail and jobs account for communications regarding this selection process. Should we contact you and you fail to reply within the designated time frames, your application may not be considered further.

⇨ All the information collected during the selection process, from the time of application until the end of the process, will be used to assess the candidates.

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.