Innovation Officer

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

We want you to succeed! Our objective is to identify qualified candidates by fairly assessing their abilities. Assessment accommodations are intended to remove obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that all candidates can showcase their capabilities.

Please help us meet our commitment of providing an inclusive and barrier-free environment by letting us know if you require assessment accommodations, including assistance with the application process. Additional information on the assessment format(s) (for example: exam, interview) will be provided at each assessment stage.

As one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives. We are dedicated to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, representative of all Canadians regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic background or lived experience. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace.

We welcome all candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, Black, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community to apply and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Indigenous (Aboriginal*) Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Women or Visible Minorities - Black people and other racialized groups).

*The term “Aboriginal” is used within this job advertisement as it relates to the Employment Equity Act and other legislative frameworks. The term “Indigenous” is used where possible, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Duties

The Innovation Officer supports the innovation processes used to accelerate the adoption of beneficial management practices and technologies by Canadian farmers through Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s national network of living labs established through the Living Laboratories Initiative (https://www.agr.gc.ca/livinglab) and the Agricultural Climate Solutions (https://www.agr.gc.ca/agriculturalclimatesolutions) program.

The Innovation Officer participates in and leads activities to improve innovation practice and theory, especially with respect to the co-development and adoption of agricultural innovations. They also collaborate with external partners to plan and conduct social sciences research studies to analyze and provide recommendations such as best practices for collaborative innovation, process evaluation, and the human/social dimensions of innovation activities.

The ideal candidate for this position will have relevant experience and/or education in social sciences research and innovation management and will be interested in applying their skills and knowledge through a dynamic role that bridges the gap between the social and natural sciences by supporting the application of the living labs approach to agricultural innovation.

Work environment

A living lab is an integrated approach to agricultural innovation that brings together farmers, scientists and other partners to develop, test and evaluate new practices and technologies in a real-life context. This will result in more efficient technologies and more sustainable agricultural practices adopted more quickly by Canadian farmers.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has established a nationwide network of living labs to develop innovative solutions that will help the sector:
• Tackle climate change by storing more carbon and reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions);
• Reduce water contamination;
• Improve soil and water conservation;
• Maximize habitat capacity and biodiversity on agricultural landscapes.

Farmers will work directly with researchers and other partners to conduct experiments on their land. This will allow them to develop and implement beneficial management practices and give them faster access to technologies.

This new integrated approach is an opportunity for Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada employees and their colleagues in other departments, in collaboration with external partners, to develop joint solutions to agri-environmental problems.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s nationwide network of living labs has been established through two programs:
1. The Living Laboratories Initiative (2018–2023) (https://agriculture.canada.ca/living-lab).
2. Agricultural Climate Solutions – Living Labs (2021–2031) (https://agriculture.canada.ca/agricultural-climate-solutions).

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We have several networks dedicated to ensuring that the department continues to grow as an inclusive, accessible, respectful and diverse workplace. All employees are encouraged and welcomed to join the networks and participate in their activities and events.

• The Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusiveness Network
• The Indigenous Network Circle
• The Managers' Community
• The Persons with Disabilities Network
• The Student Panel of Representatives for Orientation, Unity and Training
• The Visible Minorities Network
• The Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network
• The Young Professional's Network

Intent of the process

To staff an indeterminate full-time position for the locations indicated for this process.

A pool of qualified candidates may be created and could be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (indeterminate, specified period employment, acting, deployment, assignment or secondment) within AAFC.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

Education:
A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in economics, sociology or statistics.

Note:
Candidates must always have a degree. The courses for a specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Click on the link below to contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Significant* experience in developing and implementing events, tools, or processes to support innovation or collaboration.
Significant* experience in collaborating with diverse organizations or multidisciplinary groups.
Significant* experience in communicating complex issues or activities through, for example, reports, presentations, evaluations, research papers, briefing materials, guidelines, training materials, analyses, summaries, or recommendations.

*Significant experience is defined as having performed a broad range of related activities as a key and ongoing component of duties, typically during a period of three (3) consecutive years.

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

Possession of a valid driver's license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver's license.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of methods used to manage or encourage innovation (e.g., living labs, open innovation, design thinking, change management, organizational design).
Knowledge of principles or best practices that promote effective collaboration.
Knowledge of social sciences research methods or areas of expertise relevant to multi-stakeholder innovation or collaboration projects.
Knowledge of social and economic factors that influence the adoption of environmentally beneficial (or best) management practices (BMPs) by Canadian farmers.

Abilities:
Ability to measure the progress and evaluate the impact of projects in a context of high uncertainty.
Ability to communicate effectively orally, including by presentation and facilitation and in virtual environments.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to effectively communicate summaries of results, strategies, or recommendations to senior decision makers within and outside of the public sector.
Ability to collaborate with, create, and lead multidisciplinary groups.

Personal Suitability:
Judgement
Teamwork
Adaptability
Empathy

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

Asset Qualification - Education:
Graduation with a Master’s Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in social sciences or innovation management.

Degree equivalency

Asset Qualifications - Experience:
Education or work experience related to the agricultural or environmental sectors.
Experience in developing and delivering interactive methods of engagement (e.g., workshops, events, training, surveys, digital platforms/tools).

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to travel.
Willingness to work overtime when required, often on short notice.

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

ASSESSEMENT INFORMATION

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. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under "Contact Information".

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.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. 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).

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.