Senior Economist

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

***INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW***

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in a cover letter how they meet the essential qualifications. One approach is to use each of the screening criteria (under education and experience) as a heading, and provide concrete examples that illustrate how each criterion is met. The screening board will use the cover letter and résumé in the screening of applications. Failure to demonstrate that you meet the screening criteria may result in the rejection of your application.

FAILURE TO PROVIDE A COMPLETE APPLICATION, CONSISTING OF BOTH A COVERING LETTER AND A RESUME, MAY RESULT IN YOUR APPLICATION BEING REJECTED.

Duties

The Economic Studies and Policy Analysis Division (ESPAD) within the Economic Policy Branch is the central policy research group in the Department and one of the most influential policy research groups in the federal government. The senior economist will provide expert analysis and advice on important structural issues affecting the Canadian public sector’s fiscal position, such as population aging, rapidly rising health care costs, slowing productivity growth, low interest rates, and climate change. The position involves undertaking applied research and analysis, developing and using economic and fiscal forecasting models, writing analytical notes, reviewing external research conducted by academics, think tanks, and national and international organizations as well as responding to briefing requests.

Work environment

Our employees are our single biggest asset and our employees’ health and safety is of the upmost importance.

In keeping with public health guidance, the Department of Finance Canada has established a remote work stance that we will maintain for a few months and possibly longer, depending upon how the public health situation evolves. While the department is working remotely, we are committed to supporting employees with the necessary tools to work effectively from home.

Intent of the process

This process is to staff the above-mentioned position and it may also be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates, which could be used to staff similar or identical positions with various tenures within the Department of Finance Canada.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "4 999 words maximum"

Contact information for 2 references.

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

EDUCATION

Completion of a graduate degree (Master’s) in economics from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

EX1: Significant* and recent** experience in planning, leading, undertaking, and coordinating analytical work, applied research, and briefing on domestic and international economic and fiscal issues.

EX2: Significant* and recent** experience in economic modelling and forecasting using common econometric software (e.g., Matlab, Eviews, Stata, R).

EX3: Significant* and recent** experience in providing briefings on issues related to the economy and/or government fiscal situation to upper management (i.e., Assistant Deputy Minister, Vice-President, or equivalent and above) or the general public.

EX4: Experience in building and maintaining relationships with internal and external clients, partners and stakeholders through regular collaboration on areas of shared interest.

*Significant is defined as work experience associated with having performed a broad range of related activities which could normally be acquired over a period of approximately four (4) years or more.

**Recent work experience is defined as having been acquired over the last four (4) years.

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

Various language requirements

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

K1: Knowledge of economic and fiscal theories, quantitative methods, and analytical approaches to economic and fiscal policy analysis and forecasting.

ABILITIES

• Ability to conduct high quality research with focus on attention to detail.
• Ability to analyze complex problems and identify their economic and fiscal policy implications.
• Ability to come up with innovative and policy-relevant research topics.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

• Interpersonal relationships and collaboration
• Result oriented
• Initiative
• Judgment
• Dependability

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

KNOWLEDGE

AK1: Knowledge of current and emerging economic and fiscal developments and issues in Canada and globally as well as data sources used for economic and fiscal analysis.

AK2: Knowledge of federal government priorities and their relationship with the Department of Finance Canada.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

The Department of Finance Canada is committed to maintaining a representative workforce reflective of Canadian society. In support of achieving a diversified workforce and our employment equity goals, qualified candidates who self-declare in a staffing process as members of Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities and/or women may be selected for appointment to fulfill organizational needs including reducing representation gaps.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

COVID-19 Vaccination:

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service.

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.

Candidates must maintain a valid security clearance throughout the duration of employment. Both the secret security clearance and COVID vaccination are conditions of employment required for an appointment at the Department of Finance Canada. Failure to obtain a security clearance or attest to the COVID vaccination will result in not receiving a final job offer and any conditional offer will be rendered null and void.

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

A written examination and an interview will be administered.

A situational exercise may be administered.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational need.

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

Education credentials will be required prior to any offer of employment.

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

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.