Seeking talented Senior Communications Advisors

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

Please clearly identify your group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form since at level employees may be considered first.

Duties

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is looking for strong communicators with strategic minds who have a good pen and can build collaborative relationships to fill key positions on the Communications and Media Services team.

At FCAC, the Senior Communications Advisors are at the centre of it all. Responsibilities include communications planning, providing strategic advice, coordinating communications activities and developing products.

The Communications and Media Services team plays a pivotal role in helping FCAC fulfill its mandate to protect Canadians in their dealings with financial institutions. The Senior Communications Advisors work closely with the rest of Public Affairs and develop excellent partnerships with the Agency’s program, regulatory and research functions. In addition, the Senior Communications Advisors interact regularly with senior management and work in concert with other government departments.

FCAC is a small independent federal agency that offers a stimulating work environment. From regulating the banks to educating consumers on managing their finances and researching the latest in consumer behaviour, FCAC is an organization with a growing profile where everyone contributes to achieving results.

If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy building outstanding relationships with team members and internal partners, and are looking for an interesting and rewarding opportunity in communications, this is the job for you.

Work 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 (but fully equipped to work virtually), FCAC is a small separate agency subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). We offer the same pension and benefits plans as the core public administration. In addition, you will benefit from a minimum of four (4) weeks of vacation leave per year, earn a competitive salary, and be eligible for performance pay. We are also pleased to offer flexible work arrangements and a broad range of learning opportunities to help
you grow and contribute your best. We have our own unique classification system (RE
and REX) with relevant equivalences noted above.

If you are strategic and creative and want to join a dynamic team, FCAC is definitely for you!

Intent of the process

This selection process may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates, which could be used to staff similar or identical positions with various linguistic profiles and requirements, security profiles and various tenures.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION

Graduation with a degree from a recognized university in a field related to the position, such as communications, journalism or public relations, or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

Significant* and recent** experience providing strategic communications advice and recommendations to Senior Management (Director-level and above) as well as internal clients/partners on high-profile and/or complex*** communications matters

Significant* and recent** experience in developing and coordinating the implementation of communications plans for high profile and/or complex*** national initiatives

Significant* and recent** experience in developing a wide-variety of communications products, including media lines and questions and answers (Qs and As), for high-profile and/or complex*** national initiatives

Significant* and recent** experience in developing collaborative and effective relationships with various internal partners/clients within a government department/agency or national organization/corporation

*Significant experience is defined as the breadth and depth of experience normally associated with full-time performance of duties for a period of at least three (3) years.

**Recent experience is defined as experience acquired within the last five (5) years.

*** Complex is defined as an issue or initiative involving multiple areas within an organization and/or stakeholders, and/or that is technical, policy or regulatory-related.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

Significant* experience in media relations, including developing and coordinating responses to media enquiries

Experience acting as a spokesperson for an organization in the media

Experience developing corporate reports, including writing, gathering input and coordinating production-related activities

Experience working in or with the financial services industry

Experience in supervising the work of team members

Experience working in communications or media relations within the Government of Canada

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

Various language requirements
Various linguistic profiles

Bilingual Imperative CCC/CCC
Bilingual imperative CBC/CBC

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of strategic communications and a broad range of communications techniques and tactics

ABILITIES AND COMPETENCIES

Ability to develop communications strategies and supporting communications products
Ability to coordinate communications activities
Ability to manage multiple files with tight deadlines
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to communicate effectively orally

Demonstrating integrity and respect
Thinking things through
Working effectively with others
Showing initiative and being action-oriented

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

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Willingness and ability to respond to urgent requests outside of working hours and to periodically work overtime on short notice

Willingness and ability to travel to attend meetings, events or conferences

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

We will only accept on-line applications received via the jobs.gc.ca site. There are some benefits associated with applying online: Applicants can create a profile and retrieve stored application(s) (personal information, covering letter and résumé) previously submitted and modify them, if
necessary, before submitting the application.
Applicants can modify their application/résumé at any time BEFORE the closing date indicated on the job advertisement.

Candidates invited to an interview will be required to provide proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript (original documents only).

Various assessment tools may be used in this selection process such as: written tests, performance assessments, interview, reference checks etc. All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications identified on the
Statement of Merit Criteria.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position.

Candidates may be required to meet some or all the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

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.

If you are an employee of the Public Service, please clearly indicate this by including your substantive group and level to your CV.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

Depending on the number of applicants, volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach and/or establishing cutoff scores to determine who will continue in the staffing
process, may be used for the purpose of managing applications. Please note that although you may attain the established pass mark on any of the assessments used in this staffing process, management may decide to use a higher cut off score.

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.