Senior Business Officer - Community Initiatives

Update: *AMENDMENT TO THE CLOSING DATE

Important messages

ATTENTION: Amazing Opportunity Ahead!

Are you a leader looking for a new challenge? Do you want to make an impact in communities? Are you interested in working for the new federal economic development agency for the Prairies? Building on 34 years of work by Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD), Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is looking to work more closely with the communities it serves. We are looking for professionals with a passion for Alberta’s communities and economic development to join our team and be our on-the-ground presence based in Edmonton but working with a variety of communities in the region. This may include the Edmonton region, surrounding regions east and west of Edmonton, as well as the Red Deer area. We are looking for someone to develop regional partnerships and support investment opportunities in this diverse and entrepreneurial region. PrairiesCan will work within communities to explore value-add and diversification opportunities that foster an inclusive economy

We are looking for individuals who are highly motivated, creative, have excellent communication skills and have the ability to build meaningful relationships within communities in order to enhance economic development in Alberta. You will join a passionate team that focuses on community economic development in the northern half of the province from Red Deer to Fort Chipewyan. You will work with communities and partners to identify economic priorities and find ways to support economic development opportunities.

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 process, please contact Rochelle Haws by email at . All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Duties

About the role:
As a Senior Business Officer, you will understand the evolving economic environment of Alberta, especially the northern half, and build relationships that will help you understand the range of expectations of different members of the communities. You will use your knowledge and networks to facilitate economic development in your communities through the following roles:

Investor - someone who can either provide guidance in accessing PrairiesCan’s flexible, discretionary Grants and Contributions funds to capitalize on regional opportunities or identify other appropriate funding to support economic growth, job creation, improved economic competitiveness and support for community economic development, economic transitions, or recoveries.

Convenor – someone who is a trusted federal partner that understands local and regional circumstances and can make linkages within and outside of government to drive joint economic ventures. This includes connecting key economic stakeholders, including governments, industry, post-secondary institutions, and underrepresented groups, with federal departments and other partners, to drive community economic development and growth.

Pathfinder – someone who connects communities, entrepreneurs, and economic development organizations with federal programming and services and increasing federal visibility in the Prairie provinces.

Advisor – someone who provides place-based advice, insights, and economic expertise to assist clients and partners, to inform national policy and program decisions, and contributes to the development of regional engagement strategies and advice to the federal government.

This role will appeal to someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, is self-directed and able to manage several different files at a time, embraces challenge and works equally well independently or within a team.

Work environment

PrairiesCan supports employees and is an innovative workplace that makes a difference in the Prairies. 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 Canadians.

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

Intent of the process

The intent is to staff two indeterminate position in Edmonton. A pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) will be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level. This process may be used for various positions and tenures (including but not limited to term and indeterminate appointments, internal assignments, secondment, deployments, acting appointments, casual).

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 post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

At the manager’s discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, may serve as an alternative to meet the education standard.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• *Significant experience working with diverse stakeholders to advance economic development initiatives or projects that build business capacity and resiliency within communities.
• Experience analyzing complex** economic development programs or issues, including preparing briefing materials and providing strategic advice to senior management.
• Experience supporting the economic inclusion of Indigenous communities and other underrepresented groups in the economy.

*Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with full-time performance of duties for a minimum of three years.

**Complex issues are defined as policy, project or program issues that are ambiguous, poorly defined, and require input, expertise, and analysis from multiple sectors, organizations, or disciplines.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:
• Graduation with a master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in a field related to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience in program delivery.
• Experience assessing or preparing financial claims or project proposals for government funding.
• Depth, breadth and scope of experience in any one or combination of the experience requirements.


Depending on the position, the following qualifications may be deemed essential:
• Established relationships to advance economic development initiatives within Indigenous communities, preferably within Alberta OR
• Experience working to advance economic development initiatives within Indigenous communities, preferably in Alberta

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Of how PrairiesCan and other federal, provincial and regional/municipal economic programs/policies support economic development and diversification in the Prairie provinces;
• Of key factors influencing the Canadian economy and of the current economic and business trends, opportunities and/or challenges in Alberta and/or the community(ies) you will be working in.

Competencies:
• Demonstrating integrity/respect;
• Strategic thinking
• Working with others;
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Communication (oral and written)


Depending on the position, the following qualification may be deemed essential:
• Knowledge of key factors influencing current economic and business trends, opportunities and/or challenges within Indigenous communities, preferably within Alberta.

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

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Mobility normally associated with a Driver Licence

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

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.

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, MAY BE USED for the purpose of managing applications.

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.