Director, Government Affairs

Important messages

Do you have your finger on the pulse of government priorities? Love to tackle complex, sensitive issues? Know how to get big things done?

How would you like to join one of the most awesome workforces in the federal public service? Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan) is the newly created regional development agency focused on growing and supporting British Columbia’s economy. Prior to August 2021, we were part of Western Economic Diversification Canada, serving all of Western Canada. With an exciting new mandate to focus exclusively on the BC economy, PacifiCan works closely with stakeholders across the province and across the country. We make connections and investments to foster economic growth. We help people navigate through the federal government’s programs and policies. We are committed to innovation and to always raising the bar—even if we set it.

This is an opportunity to be a part of something really special. If you love a fast-paced, high-impact work environment then we want to hear from you!

We provide an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need accommodation during any phase of the process, please contact . Information received in relation to your accommodation will be kept confidential.

Duties

As Director, Government Affairs, your challenge will be to identify links to PacifiCan from the policies/programs/strategic framework being planned by other departments/levels of government, and to help develop/deliver PacifiCan’s policy advocacy framework. The role also manages the development/delivery of briefing material and cabinet documents, including for appearances before parliamentary committees, briefs staff in the Minister’s office and PacifiCan senior management on parliamentary relations and government affairs issues. As a member of PacifiCan’s executive team, the person in this role will act as the policy interface between corporate and regional policy teams and the federal system in Ottawa.

Work environment

PacifiCan is an innovative workplace that makes a difference in British Columbia. We care about our accomplishments as a team and about each other. We consistently rank as a top federal department in which to work, and we are driven to be the best at what we do. We hire top talent and provide an employment experience that brings out the best in people. We are motivated by achieving great results for British Columbians and Canadians.

Why should you consider a career with PacifiCan? If you join our team, you will:

✔️Work with engaged people who support each other and love the work they do;
✔️Contribute to meaningful work that strengthens the economy and makes a difference in the lives of British Columbians and Canadians;
✔️Enjoy a culture of continuous learning and support for your professional development;
✔️Gain exposure to diverse economic sectors and issues of importance to the future economy;
✔️Enjoy travel within the region and flexible work arrangements;
✔️Work with modern tools and technology; and,
✔️Work with an innovative leadership team that is passionate about hiring and developing talent, and achieving results.

Intent of the process

This process will be used to fill one permanent position. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to fill similar positions. Positions to be filled: 1

At PacifiCan, we are looking forward to returning to the office in person and to reconnecting with colleagues and clients, under PacifiCan's hybrid model of work. The successful candidate will be expected to report to the PacifiCan Office in the National Capital Region and reside within commuting distance.

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)

When you apply, you will be asked a series of screening questions based on the education and experience criteria below. When answering the screening questions, please provide:
► Concrete and detailed examples to demonstrate how you meet the qualifications;
► Where, when and how the experience was acquired.

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 providing strategic advice, recommendations and briefings in writing and verbally to a federal minister’s office and to senior management (director general level and above) on one or any combination of the following: policies, programs, advocacy, legislation or issues management.
• Experience with Cabinet briefings, Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions which could include activities such as leading, participating in, authoring documents, or providing advice and guidance to participants and key stakeholders.
• Experience building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders such as federal/provincial/territorial departments and/or central agencies and/or the private sector and/or not-for-profit organizations and/or Indigenous communities or their representatives.
• Experience leading or managing the coordination, development or implementation of strategies, policies or programs.
• Significant* experience managing financial and human resources. Applicants are asked to indicate the number of staff they have supervised and the size of the budget they have managed.

*For the purposes of this selection process, significant experience is defined as the full-time performance of the professional duties for a continuous period of 2 years or more.

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

Asset Qualifications
Experience:
• Experience analyzing and/or advocating policy issues relevant to economic development.
• Experience in developing and/or implementing an advocacy framework.
• Experience managing staff remotely or in a matrix environment.
• Experience in regional or community economic development.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of current economic and business trends, opportunities and challenges in British Columbia.
• Knowledge of executive branch and legislative branch bodies, functions, processes and responsibilities, such as Cabinet, Cabinet committees, central agencies, the annual Budget process, Standing Committees, the legislative process, and Estimates/supply.

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

Ability:
• Ability to communicate effectively – orally and in writing

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

Diversity and Inclusiveness (Organizational Needs):
• Pacific Economic Development Canada is committed to having an inclusive and diverse workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our strategy to achieve our employment equity goals, consideration may be given to candidates who self-identify belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, visible minorities, LGBTQ2s+ and women.

Operational Requirements:
• Willingness and ability to work overtime.
• Willingness and ability to travel.

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

Communication for this process will be sent via 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. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

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, will be used for the purpose of managing applications.

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.

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.