Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC): An Excellent Career Move!

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to September 26, 2022 - 23:59, 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

We want you to succeed! Our objective with this process is to identify qualified candidates for the position(s) by fairly assessing their abilities. Assessment accommodations are designed to remove obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that all candidates can fully demonstrate their abilities.

Please let us know if you require assessment accommodations, including assistance with the application process. Additional information on the assessment format(s) will be provided through each assessment stage (e.g. exam) of the process.

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.

Duties

As a financial analyst on the financial management systems team, you will provide support, maintenance, configuration and will participate in projects to enhance our SAP Financial and Material Management systems to 7 large federal departments and agencies. You will work in a team to collaborate on many exciting and important projects including system upgrades, implementing and enhancing functionality and leveraging new technologies such as Cloud, machine learning, automation and artificial intelligence in order to provide effective and meaningful solutions to the financial community. Financial systems are made up of many key components including: Account Payable, Account Receivable, Sales and Distribution, Funds Management, Controlling, Project Systems, Salary Forecasting tool, General Ledger, Special Purpose Ledger, Enterprise Asset Management, Real Estate, Reporting, Planning and Forecasting. You will work collaboratively on inter-departmental committees and working groups in order to provide input to government-wide and department specific financial policies, systems, procedures and strategies. These positions are client focused and team driven in order to provide superior support and to ensure a reliable, modern and sustainable financial and material management solutions built on the SAP HANA platform.

Work environment

As one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievements in creating a positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

AAFC has Diversity Networks, dedicated to ensuring that our department continues to grow as an inclusive, respectful and diverse workplace. All employees are welcome to join the Networks and participate in their activities and events.

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

As a member of the AAFC’s SAP Center of Expertise, the successful candidates will be a part of an experienced, highly regarded organization that prioritizes innovation and both departmental and interdepartmental collaboration. The AAFC’s SAP Center of Expertise develops, maintains and supports the financial management system as well as financial reporting systems for 7 large federal departments and agencies promoting innovation, collaboration and client services

You would work in a dynamic environment, collaborating in the success of ongoing development, maintenance and support for a large multi departmental financial and materiel management system. We recognize the importance of work life balance, while also prioritizing professional development with access to ongoing training and continuous learning.

We offer our employees a competitive salary, generous vacation, paid leave for family and health, comprehensive benefits, and an attractive pension plan. We are committed to delivering high quality service because we understand the importance of collaboration, integrity, respect and the importance of the services our diverse clients provide to Canadians.

Intent of the process

If you don’t immediately receive a job offer at AAFC, qualified candidates will also be placed in a talent pool to be used for staffing similar permanent or temporary positions in the future. The skill specializations, work location, language profile, and security clearance requirements will vary according to the position being staffed.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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 specialization* in accounting, finance, business administration, commerce or economics and experience** related to positions in the Financial Management Group.
OR
• Possession of a recognized professional accounting designation.

* Specialization is defined as a minimum of 30 credits within one of these areas: accounting, finance, business administration, commerce or economics.
** Experience required must be related to financial management and relevant to the FI position being staffed. It can be acquired in the Public Service as well as through other means, e.g. private sector, volunteer work, self-employment, etc.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience in at least two (2) of the following areas: accounting operations, financial policies, financial planning and resource management, financial management advisory services, budgeting, costing, financial reporting and financial systems.
• Experience in analyzing, processing or reporting on financial data.
• Experience working in a multi-stakeholder environment.

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

*The following are asset experiences, you will not be eliminated if you do not possess them.

Experience:
• Experience in maintaining, reconciling and implementing controls to manage finance and human resources.
• Experience in using the SAP system and its various modules and reporting tools.
• Experience in the development, configuration, testing and support of SAP modules and reporting tools.

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 Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system (for example SAP, PeopleSoft, Oracle, MS Dynamics) and its use in a large organization.
• Knowledge of testing practices and procedures on a financial application.

Competencies:
• Initiative
• Teamwork
• Analytical Thinking
• Client Focus
• Adaptability
• Values and Ethics
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication

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

In support of achieving a diverse workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability, members of visible minorities, and women.

Operational Requirements:
• Ability and willingness to occasionally work overtime.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status 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

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.

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.