Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction

Important messages

Are you passionate about making the world better? Are you interested in creating an economy and jobs that citizens can rely on well into the future? Have you always wanted to lead a strong team that succeeds no matter what in a demanding, fast-paced environment? Now is your chance! Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) is looking for an Assistant Deputy Minister to lead our Policy and Strategic Direction team.

What you need to bring to the role:
• You are a visionary leader, who promotes innovation and guides change.
• With your entrepreneurial spirit and strong integrity, you mobilize staff and achieve results.
• You are a critical thinker, with public policy passion and skills.
• You are an experienced relationship builder and collaborator.

Duties

About the role:
Reporting directly to the Deputy Minister, the Assistant Deputy Minister Policy and Strategic Direction is an integral part of WD’s Executive Committee and senior leadership team. In this role, you will oversee a multidisciplinary branch of over 80 enthusiastic employees. Specifically, you will be accountable for leadership and advocacy within Ottawa to advance Western Canada’s interests in national decision-making, program policy to drive economic transformation, effective communications, and results assessment to ensure departmental accountability and continuous improvement of our programs.

Work environment

WD is one of Western Canada’s best employers because of its support for employees, innovative workplace, and ability to make a difference in the lives of Western Canadians. WD is only as good as its people. And its people are awesome! They care deeply about making Canada better through their work and how they do it. WD consistently ranks as a top federal department by its employees. To sustain this high-performing culture, WD hires only top talent and provides the best employment experience possible, which helps people be engaged with their work every day and deliver their best.

Please note: as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are primarily working remotely for the time being. Interviews and related assessments might be done virtually. Applicants are responsible to ensure they have a reliable internet connection and access. If you are appointed to a position, WD will provide tools and/or equipment to support remote work. As public health restrictions ease, the successful candidate will be expected to report to its Ottawa office.

Intent of the process

This process may be used for various tenures including but not limited to term and indeterminate appointments, internal assignments, secondments, deployments, acting appointments. It may also be used for positions with various security requirements, language requirements and conditions of employment. We are willing to share the pool of candidates with our federal public service partners who have similar needs.

HOW TO APPLY: For this process, we will accept applications through www.jobs.gc.ca (PSRS) but we are also accepting resumes and cover letters by email. If you prefer, send your documents to with your name, the position title and reference number in the subject line.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter

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

Experience:
• Significant* experience in providing strategic leadership and direction in the development or implementation of complex** policy initiatives, programs, and strategies.
• Significant* experience in managing complex** financial and human resources matters.
• Significant* experience providing strategic advice, recommendations, and briefings to senior executives on high-profile and complex** issues.
• Significant* experience collaborating and maintaining partnerships with internal and external stakeholders.

*NOTE: Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with full time performance of these duties for a minimum of the past 5 years.

**Complex issues are defined as issues with the following characteristics: multidimensional; sensitive; confidential; affecting many partners/stakeholders; precedent-setting and/or having a major impact on the public service/private sector; and/or having the potential for significant media coverage.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
• Large network of business leadership contacts.
• Formal education in a field related to the duties.
• Skilled and interested in evidence-based decision making.
• Experience in designing, leading and evaluating programs with a focus on economic development or public policy.
• Experience interacting with and providing strategic advice to Ministers, Chief Executive Officers, and/or Chairs of the Board.
• Experience in advocacy and promoting understanding of western or regional economic interest.
• Experience leading staff remotely or in a matrix environment.
• Depth, breadth, and scope in any one or combination of the experience factors.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

Education:
• Candidates with the requisite experience will meet the education requirement of the position (i.e., an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience).

Degree equivalency

Key Leadership Competencies
• Create Vision and Strategy
• Mobilize People
• Uphold Integrity and Respect
• Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
• Achieve Results
• Promote Innovation and Guide Change

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

• Secret security clearance
• Willingness and ability to work overtime when required.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally.

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

Western Economic Diversification promotes the development of Western Canada’s economy and advances the interests of the West in national economic policy. With its head office in Edmonton, and presence across the western provinces and in Ottawa, WD offers diverse business services and investments that improve Canadian society through economic development and diversification.

WD is 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 including in the job application, please use the contact information below to request whatever you need. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.