Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations

Important messages

Are YOU ready for the executive level? This could be YOUR best career move! Come build a stronger West with us!

At Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), we are invested in our people, our communities, and our economy. Every single one of our employees contributes to our success – and the success of our region. We work together to help businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, to develop and diversify local economies in our communities, and to champion the strengths of Western Canada.

Duties

The Director, Policy, Planning and External Relations is accountable to the regional Assistant Deputy Minister for the direction of economic research and analysis; identification of emerging policy issues; direction of regional strategic and business planning activities; management of horizontal issues in a multi-lateral/multi-stakeholder environment; consultation and advocacy activities; negotiation of bilateral and multi-lateral agreements; direction of Grants & Contributions funds and managing projects within a 'hybrid environment' that brings together the ideas, skills, experience and expertise of staff within the Region and across the Department.

Work environment

PrairiesCan works to develop and diversify the economy of Western Canada by delivering grants and contributions programs and advocating on behalf of the West.

PrairiesCan is recognized as an innovative workplace with the ability to make a difference in the lives of Western Canadians. In the annual Public Service Employee Survey, PrairiesCan employees consistently rank the department as one of the best places to work in the federal government.

Why Choose PrairiesCan:
• Work with amazing people who support each other.
• Meaningful work that makes a difference to the country.
• Excellent compensation package.
• Flexible work arrangements.
• Modern work tools and technology.

Please note: as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are primarily working remotely for the time being. Interviews and related assessments will be conducted virtually throughout this staffing process. Applicants are responsible to ensure they have a reliable internet connection and access. If you are appointed to a position, PrairiesCan will provide tools and/or equipment to support remote work.

Intent of the process

To staff one position on an indeterminate basis. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff future term, indeterminate, acting, assignment, secondment or deployment opportunities within PrairiesCan and the federal public service.

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)

Education:
• Successful completion of a degree from a recognized post- secondary institution or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience in advising and briefing Ministers, Deputy Ministers, or senior executives.
• Experience in managing policy issues.
• Experience in developing partnerships and building consensus with internal and external clients (e.g. other levels of government, academia, think tanks, private sector organizations).
• Experience in managing human and financial resources. (Please indicate number of employees supervised as well as the size and type of budgets managed).

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the trends and policy issues relating to regional economic development in Saskatchewan and in Western Canada.
• Knowledge of the objectives and priorities of the Federal and Provincial government, particularly in relation to regional economic development.
• Ability to communicate effectively – orally and in writing.

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.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience:
• Experience working in an organization (public or private) focused on economic development.
• Experience in public policy analysis and in managing policy research activities.
• 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 - Non Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Conditions of employment

• Secret Security Clearance.
• Willingness to travel frequently.
• Willingness to work overtime.
• Fully vaccinated for COVID 19 unless being accommodated based on a certified medical contraindication or a prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

Employment Equity Representation: In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, visible minorities and women.

TIPS FOR APPLICANTS: When answering the screening questions ensure that you provide complete and thorough details of your experience. Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each Experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the competition.

For this selection process, our intention is to communicate with the candidates by email. Candidates who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). Applicants must check their email accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.

Depending on the number of applicants, the needs and/or Human Resources plans, volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach and/or establishing cut-off scores to determine who will continue in the staffing process, MAY BE USED for the purpose of managing applications.

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

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.