Senior Business Officer

Important messages

ATTENTION: Amazing Opportunity Ahead!

The immediate vacancy will require supporting Alberta Indigenous communities to pursue economic development projects that either increase energy efficiency in communities or increases clean energy generation.

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. 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 with Indigenous communities in order to enhance economic development in Alberta. 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.

Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed, and to allow candidates to fully demonstrate their abilities.

Duties

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

PrairiesCan is currently following the direction from the Office of the Chief Human Resource Officer on the introduction of a common hybrid work model across the federal public service. This common hybrid work model will consist of work on site at least 2–3 days each week, or 40–60% of their regular schedule. You may find more information here: https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/staffing/common-hybrid-work-model-federal-public-service.html

Intent of the process

The intent is to staff one indeterminate position. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level. This process may be used for various tenures (including but not limited to term and indeterminate appointments, internal assignments, secondments, deployments, acting appointments, casual), as well as various security requirements, language and conditions of employment.

Positions to be filled: 1

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.

Note: At the manager’s discretion, an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience, that is comparable to a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization relevant to the work to be performed, may serve as an alternative to meet the minimum education standard.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
1. *Significant experience working with diverse stakeholders to advance economic development initiatives or projects within communities.
2. Experience analyzing complex** economic development programs or issues, including preparing briefing materials and providing strategic advice to senior management.
3. A) Experience supporting the economic inclusion of Indigenous communities
OR
3. B) Experience supporting communities to assess the suitability of clean energy or energy efficiency economic development opportunities.

*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

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.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of how PrairiesCan and other federal, provincial and regional/municipal economic programs/policies support economic development and diversification in the Prairie provinces
• Knowledge of key factors influencing current economic and business trends, opportunities and/or challenges within Indigenous communities, which may include knowledge of clean energy or energy efficiency economic development opportunities.

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

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

Organizational Needs:
• Prairies Economic Development Canada is committed to having an inclusive and diverse workforce that is representative of the population we serve. Consideration may be given to candidates who self-identify as belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women.

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

Conditions of employment

• Reliability security clearance
• Mobility normally associated with a Driver License

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 process.

Qualifications, including communication (oral and written), may be assessed at any stage of the process.

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.