Executive Director, Communications

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

Please be advised that all appointments and deployments (except acting appointments) to and within the Executive (EX) Group within the core public administration that take place on or after April 1, 2020 are subject to the Agreement to be Deployed provision as a mandatory condition of employment. Further information on conditions of employment for executives can be found in the Directive on the Terms and Conditions of Employment for Executives (Part 1, A.II.14 in Appendix A).

HOW TO APPLY
The candidates must provide a cover letter (5, 000 words maximum). In this document, you must provide concrete and detailed examples to clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience requirements listed in the essential qualifications section. If you possess qualifications listed in the "Asset qualifications" section, please demonstrate it in your cover letter. The screening board will not make any assumptions about your qualification. It is not sufficient to say that you have the required qualifications or to list your current duties. The prescribed approach is to use the wording of each education/experience criterion as a heading and then write one or two paragraphs demonstrating that you have the required qualification and ensure that clear and accurate details are provided.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications, including asset qualifications, may be used at any point in the process to screen applicants. Some essential and other qualifications could be assessed through your application.

Give yourself the best chance to succeed!
1. Follow the instructions in section “In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)”.
2. Contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application or if there is a reason preventing you from applying online.
To learn more about accommodation measures, click on the link below.
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/assessment-accommodation-page/the-basics-of-assessment-accommodation.html
3. Let us know if you are a member of an employment equity group, your application could be prioritized. To learn more, refer to the section “Organizational Needs”.

The federal public service is stronger and more effective when it reflects the diversity of the Canadian population that it serves. The Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada is committed to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce that is representative of Canadian society. All candidates who consider themselves qualified are encouraged to apply, including members of equity-seeking groups or of an employment equity group (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and visible minorities).

Duties

• Provide executive leadership and management direction for the direction, development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of a comprehensive and cohesive suite of national communications strategies, programs and initiatives which collectively advance an understanding of privacy rights and obligations and an appreciation of the mandate of the organization.
• Provide leadership and direction for identifying and pursuing opportunities to incorporate digital media with traditional media, promote a dialogue with Canadians, and provide evidence-based information to a diversity of communities of interest on privacy protection issues
• Oversee the collection, analysis and synthesis of data obtained through web-based electronic tools and other means, regarding the concerns and interests of Canadians and organizations on privacy issues.

Work environment

Employees of the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada (OPC) are passionate about privacy and work to protect and promote the privacy rights of individuals. The OPC is a small federal organization that reports independently to Parliament. Despite its size, our office influences the lives of all Canadians. We oversee two federal privacy laws that span the private and public sectors, and our office acts as a public advocate for the privacy rights of Canadians.

With the current pandemic context, employees are working remotely and OPC is ready to virtually onboard new employees (each employee is equipped with a computer and a telephone). The organization will adopt a hybrid work environment – that is, a flexible approach that allows employees, where possible and with management approval, to work at an OPC designated worksite and at a remote location.

Because of our size, new employees are able to integrate and gain access to our systems more quickly, and benefit from in-house compensation and IT support.

Our office space is configured in a model that fosters an inclusive, welcoming and equitable workplace for all, regardless of our different abilities and personal preferences. Our workplace is designed to be an innovative, activity-based environment that accommodates diverse work styles, meets accessibility requirements, supports alternative work strategies, incorporates modern technologies, keeping sustainable design principles in mind. Most workstations are equipped with electric height adjustable tables and fully adjustable chairs.

Employees can take advantage of our personal and career development offerings, such as training, coaching/mentoring, conferences and well-being activities. We have various networks dedicated to ensuring that the OPC continues to develop as a workplace that promotes inclusivity, accessibility, diversity, respectful relationships and well-being. All employees are encouraged and welcomed to join the networks and participate in their activities and events.

The OPC has a directive promoting a Scent free environment.

Intent of the process

The current need is to staff one EX-02 position, on a permanent basis.

This process may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates at the EX-02 group and level who may be considered for other opportunities within the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or the Public Service.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "Please refer to the section Important messages for more instructions."

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

INSTRUCTIONS TO FOLLOW
You must clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience qualifications, both essential and assets, in your cover letter. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current responsibilities; rather, you must provide concrete examples that illustrate how you meet the requirement. Lack of 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. To have a better idea on how to demonstrate the qualifications, we encourage you to watch this video developed by the Treasury Board Secretariat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GW7P3g9hhI

EDUCATION
Graduation with a degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution

Definition:
*The term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in managing human* and financial** resources
Significant*** experience providing communications advice and briefings to senior management.
Significant*** experience with the design, development, implementation and ongoing evaluation of communications strategies, programs and initiatives
Significant*** experience working with internal and external stakeholders and partners to manage complex and sensitive communications issues****.

Definitions:
*Managing human resources is defined as: supervising staff; establishing vision, priorities and work plans; establishing work objectives; conducting performance assessments and feedback, approving training, etc.
**Managing financial resources may include: being responsible for financial planning, budget allocation, forecasting and reporting, etc.
***Significant experience refers to the depth and breadth of experience generally acquired over two years or more. The amount, complexity, and diversity of work may be taken into consideration.
****Complex and sensitive communication issues are normally defined as having at least two (2) of the following characteristics: multidimensional, of a delicate and confidential nature, affecting multiple partners or stakeholders, creating a precedent or having a major impact on the organization or the public service, or potentially attracting wide media coverage.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
It is desirable to demonstrate the asset qualifications that you possess in your cover letter. They could be the deciding factor in selecting candidates to be invited to the next assessment phase or in selecting the person appointed to the position.

EXPERIENCE
Experience in providing strategic leadership for the development and implementation of innovation or change management strategies.
Significant* experience in initiating and maintaining collaborative relationships, networks or agreements with internal or external partners in either government, industry, academia, or organizations to enhance policy and program outcomes through effective partnership.
Experience in at least two of the following areas: media relations, corporate internal communications, Web, social media, marketing/advertising, linguistic services, strategic/program communications.
Significant* experience in providing communications services and directing the development of strategic and operational communications plans.

Definition:
*Significant experience refers to the depth and breadth of experience generally acquired over two years or more. The amount, complexity, and diversity of work may be taken into consideration.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCY
Create vision and strategy
Mobilize people
Uphold integrity and respect
Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
Promote innovation and guide change
Achieve results

COMPETENCY
Resilience and Adaptability

ABILITY
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively orally.

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

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
Employment equity is an important part of working at the OPC. In order to ensure a diversified workforce, preference may be given to qualified candidates self-declaring as belonging to one or more of the following employment equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, women, persons with disabilities and members of visible minority groups.

Members of employment equity groups are encouraged to self-declare during the online application process by selecting the appropriate box under the Employment Equity (EE) section. You will have to give your consent in order for us to use your self-declaration for the purpose of appointment. We encourage you to choose Collection Purpose 1 (Purpose 1 – Appointment processes and statistics related to Appointments and EE Workforce Representation).

To learn more about employment equity, click on the link below.

Information on employment equity

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Ability and willingness to work extended hours
Ability and willingness to travel in Canada and abroad

Conditions of employment

Secret security level

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

NEXT STEPS
• The screening process (review of applications) is to determine whether you meet the education and experience qualifications. Please refer to the instructions provided in the section “In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)".
• If your application is retained at the screening process, you will be invited to the next assessment phase to assess the qualifications listed under the section “The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)”. A variety of tools may be used to assess those qualifications (such as: written tests, interviews, presentations, role plays, reference checks, etc.). An invitation, including the assessment tool and the qualifications to be assessed, will be sent to you. It is important to reply to the invitation and to provide all the required information.
• Should you 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).
• A passing mark will be established for each qualification assessed. Essential qualifications listed in the advertisement are mandatory. Therefore, if you don’t obtain the passing mark established for an essential qualification, your application will no longer be considered and you will be notified of this outcome.
• Please note that assessors may select candidates for the next assessment phase based on asset qualifications, scores obtained, etc.

GENERAL INFORMATION
Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process (review of applications) is completed.

Communication for this process will be sent via email and/or via your GC Jobs account. It is your responsibility to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. You should also include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is your responsibility to regularly check your email, junk email and your GC Jobs account to know all the details about this process.

It is to be noted that it is your responsibility to ensure that, during the life of this selection process, you communicate any changes related to your telephone number or e-mail address to the email address indicated on the poster. Failure to do so might exclude you from the selection process.

You are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of your choice.

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.