Senior Communications Advisor

Update: Poster extended to September 19, 2022 at 11:59 PM Pacific time.

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

Health Canada is committed to increasing representation of Black employees and other racialized groups, Indigenous People, women and persons with disabilities. Health Canada would like its workforce to be reflective of the population it serves. Therefore, we encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) to be staffed, let us know if you have a functional limitation/ disability, which may affect your performance. For example, contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application. Should you then proceed to the next assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information on the assessment format so that you can determine if you may require an accommodation (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so candidates with functional limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

You may also review jobs open to the public through INFOTEL at 1-800-645-5605. The INFOTEL number for persons using a TTY/TDD is 1-800-532-9397.

Health Canada welcomes applications from Veterans. We recognize your contribution to Canadians and would like to offer you the opportunity to continue your career in an environment where multi-talented employees with diverse skills are appreciated and supported.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME
Health Canada and the Public Health Agency are dedicated to building an inclusive workforce that comprises individuals who have an array of identities, abilities, background, culture, skills, perspectives, and experiences that are representative of Canada’s current and evolving population. We are passionate about fostering a workplace where all people feel welcome, can reach their full potential, and contribute their unique perspectives and experience to the success of the team.

BRING YOUR WHOLE SELF TO WORK
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of race, colour, religion, sex (including gender identity and/or expression), national origin, sexual orientation, civil union or relationship status, disability, age, parental status, military service, or other status protected under federal law.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

***VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: It is the responsibility of the candidate to clearly outline that they meet each of the screening criteria (i.e. Education and Experience Qualifications, both Essential and Assets) by RESPONDING TO THE SCREENING QUESTIONS IN THE ONLINE APPLICATION. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current responsibilities, rather the candidate must provide concrete examples that illustrate how they meet the requirement. Lack of EXAMPLES and DETAILS may result in your application being rejected as the Assessment Board will have insufficient information to determine whether or not you meet the qualifications.

Work environment

Are you interested in working at a cutting-edge organization that values both your physical and psychological health and wellness, provides rich career development opportunities and rewards innovation? Health Canada is among Canada’s Top 100 Employers for 2021 in addition to being recognized as Top employer for Young People since 2015 and as Best Diversity Employer since 2010! Don’t miss your opportunity to not only enjoy the unparalleled benefits of the public service, but to get so much more on our award-winning team!

HC is the federal department responsible for helping Canadians maintain and improve their health. Our goal is for Canada to be among the countries with the healthiest people in the world.

PHAC promotes and protects Canadians' health by preventing and controlling chronic and infectious diseases and injuries as well as preparing for, and responding to, public health emergencies.

Are you interested in finding out more about this opportunity? Do you know someone who could fulfill this role? Share and/or click on the link to apply online!

As an equal opportunity employer, Health Canada is committed to achieving a skilled diversified workforce that reflects the diversity of the Canadian population. We encourage members of the following designated groups to apply and also self-identify: Aboriginal people, women, members of a visible minority group, and persons with a disability.

Challenges of the Positions

The Senior Communications Advisor holds key communications responsibilities within the Communications and Public Affairs Branch at Health Canada.

Senior Communications Advisors are called upon to provide verbal and written strategic communications advice to clients on a variety of issues and events. Senior Communications Advisors could be working in any of the following areas: strategic communications, emergency or crisis communications, speech writing, internal communications, event planning, ministerial communications services, advertising or marketing, editing, media relations, media monitoring, social media, Web (publishing, writing, data integration, performance and/or user experience measurement) graphic design or video production.

The Communications and Public Affairs Branch (CPAB) provides communications support and services to both Health Canada (HC) and the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) through a shared services model. The Branch is divided into three Directorates under an Assistant Deputy Minister. The Directorates include Strategic Communications Directorate Ministerial Communications Directorate, Public Affaires Directorate. CPAB integrates national and regional perspectives and takes a portfolio approach in its strategies and communications activities. The work environment is fast paced, collaborative, and promotes innovation. Workplace wellness and promoting respect is a priority.

Intent of the process

A qualified pool of candidates may be established and used for future permanent or temporary vacancies at the Department of Health Canada across Canada.

Although the immediate intent of this poster is to fill five (5) positions on an indeterminate basis, applicants should be aware that a pool of qualified or partially assessed candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level with various security requirements, various language requirements, conditions of employment as well as various tenures (acting, assignment/secondment, deployment, term and/or indeterminate) within Health Canada.

Positions to be filled: 5 at the moment.

Positions to be filled: 5

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

EDUCATION
• Degree from a post-secondary institution.

NOTES:
1. Based on their education, training and/or experience, indeterminate incumbents of positions in the IS classification are deemed to meet the minimum education standard whenever a bachelor's degree without specialization is called for in a position classified as IS.
2. At the manager's discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, may serve as an alternative to the minimum education standard.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
• Significant* experience analyzing the communications needs of internal or external clients to develop and implement strategies that produce results.
• Significant* experience providing communications advice to management**.
• Significant* experience in the development of communications strategies, plans, and products related to one or more of the following fields: strategic, crisis management, internal, media relations, ministerial events, editing, advertising, marketing, graphic or video production, web or social media.

*Significant experience is understood to mean the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of communications activities which are normally acquired over a period of two (2) years.

**Management is defined as Director level or above, generally two supervisory levels above your position.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION
• A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Communications, Public Relations, Journalism or in a field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
• Experience in strategic communications.
• Experience in emergency or crisis communications.
• Experience in speech writing.
• Experience in internal communications.
• Experience in event planning.
• Experience in ministerial communications services.
• Experience developing, implementing and evaluating advertising or marketing strategies or campaigns.
• Experience in editing.
• Experience in media relations.
• Experience in media monitoring.
• Experience in social media communications and campaigns.
• Experience in web publishing.
• Experience writing content that is suitable for online audiences (i.e., written for the web in plain language).
• Experience in web data integration including data automation, accessibility or usability of interactive visualizations.
• Experience in web performance and/or user experience measurement.
• Experience in graphic design.
• Experience in video production.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice.
• Willingness and ability to travel.
• Willingness and ability to work flexible hours.

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

Various language requirements
Various language requirements could be required, depending on the position to be staffed.
English
Bilingual - Level BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC imperative at nomination.

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
• Knowledge of the Policy on Communications and Federal Identity and the Directive on the Management of Communications.
• Knowledge of trends in communications methods and practices.

ABILITIES
• Ability to communicate effectively orally.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
• Ability to work under pressure with tight or competing deadlines.
• Ability to develop and lead the implementation of strategic communications plans or other communications activities.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY
• Thinking things through
• Working effectively with others
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Respectful of diversity
• Leadership

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

ABILITIES
• Ability to manage human resources.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
• In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-declaring as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with disabilities, Members of visible minorities, and Women.

Conditions of employment

CONDITION(S) OF EMPLOYMENT
• Security Level: Secret Security Clearance and Various security requirements could be required, depending on the position to be staffed.

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

It is your responsibility to ensure that your email and contact information are maintained with the hiring board. All communication for this process will be sent by email and it is your responsibility to verify your messages regularly, including your spam/junk folder.

A random or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process. Top-down consideration of scores at any stage of this process may be used to determine the number of qualified candidates who will be considered further in the process.

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

A situational exercise may be administered.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications. The application and screening questions may be used to assess written communication.

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.

An assignment, secondment, or acting appointment requires approval of your supervisor.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Indeterminate employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment. If no deployment is made, applicants from other groups and levels may be considered in the advertised appointment process.

PLEASE NOTE: All information must be provided through the “apply online” application process. Do not fax, mail, email or drop-off a hard copy application as these will not be accepted. To apply in an alternate format due to disability, you must contact the email address indicated in the "Contact information" section below PRIOR to the Closing Date.

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.