Director of Communications

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

Presently, the official location of the positions to be staffed is Place du Portage – Phase IV in the National Capital Region (NCR). However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Branch employees are required to work from home.

Duties

The Director of Communications is accountable for the development and implementation of communications strategies, and acts as the coordination and integration point for multiple teams that provide a wide range of strategic advice and communications services to Employment & Social Development Canada (ESDC). The director provides guidance and direction on communications plans, approaches and issues to program partners and ministers’ offices, and manages the development of strategies and materials to address complex issues facing the organization. The director leads a team of dynamic, creative communications professionals and plays a leadership role within the Branch and the Department.

Work environment

Public Affairs and Stakeholder Relations Branch (PASRB) is Employment & Social Development Canada's (ESDC) communications branch. We invest in our people and are committed to equipping and developing our staff. We:
• provide information on ESDC’s policies, programs and services;
• facilitate open and interactive relationships;
• provide strategic communications advice in support of departmental priorities;
• embrace innovation and diversity and strive to foster a healthy workplace.

Intent of the process

Anticipatory. A pool will be created that will be used to staff similar positions with various tenures within the federal government of Canada. Deployments will be considered.

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)

EDUCATION:
EDU- Graduation with a degree from a recognized* post-secondary institution with specialization in communications or a related field, such as journalism, political science, public administration or sociology.

*A “recognized” post-secondary institution is a Canadian university that has provincial or territorial degree-granting status, or a university outside Canada, the programs/degrees of which are accepted by a recognized Canadian university. For the latter, please indicate if the programs/degrees you hold have been accepted by a recognized Canadian university or if you have received an equivalency established by educational authorities. It is the candidate’s responsibility to demonstrate that the degree/program held has been approved by a “recognized” Canadian university. Failure to do so will result in the rejection of your application.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
E1- *Significant experience in leading the development and management of strategic and operational communications plans, including digital strategies and social media communications.

E2- *Significant experience in providing strategic communications advice and recommendations to the head of communications for an organization on **complex and ***horizontal issues.

E3- Experience managing human and financial resources.

Definitions:
*Significant experience is understood to mean the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of various complex and related activities, and normally acquired over a period of at least two (2) years.
** Complex issues are normally defined as having at least two (2) of the following characteristics: multidimensional, of a delicate and confidential nature, affecting multiple partners or stakeholders, creating a precedent or having a major impact on the Department or the public service, or potentially attracting wide media coverage.
***Horizontal issue is normally defined as working with multiple stakeholders, i.e. Other Government Departments, Central Agencies, or other internal Branches.

KNOWLEDGE:
K1- Knowledge of the Government of Canada direction, practices and policies related to communications.

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
KLC1- Create vision and strategy
KLC2- Mobilize people
KLC3- Uphold integrity and respect
KLC4- Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
KLC5- Promote innovation and guide change
KLC6- Achieve results

ABILITIES:
AB1- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
AB2- Ability to communicate effectively in writing*.

*Your screening questions and your resume will be used to assess your written communications.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

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

ASSETS:
AE1- Experience in issues management.

AE2- Experience developing memoranda to cabinet and Treasury Board submissions.

AE3- Experience preparing briefing materials (Briefing Notes, Briefing Decks, etc.) to senior management (senior management is defined as Assistant Deputy Ministers and above).

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be willing and able to work overtime on short notice.

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

•At ESDC, diversity is our strength. If you’re a woman, an Indigenous person, a person with a disability or a visible minority and are interested in bringing in different perspectives and insights, let us know by completing the Employment Equity (EE) section in your application. Appointments of members of these EE groups could be made to ensure our workforce is inclusive and representative of the Canadian public we serve.

•An interview will be administered.

•A written exam may be administered.

•Reference checks will be sought.

•Candidates will be required to submit their proof of education documents at the time of assessment.

•Failure to provide this information in the requested format will result in your application being rejected.

•Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

•Communication with candidates regarding this appointment process may be conducted electronically; candidates are asked to provide an email address for this purpose and update their personal information when it changes.

•Candidates are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

•Candidates are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

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.