Join the growing Finance team at Global Affairs Canada – Financial Management Advisor

Update: Advertisement extended until May 22, 2023

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

To be considered, your application must clearly explain where, when (with specific work periods, for example: Global Affairs Canada, November 2018-May 2020), and how you meet the qualifications. Please note that indicating “Please refer to my CV” will not be considered an acceptable answer and may result in the elimination of your application to this selection process.

Are you looking for a financial position in a challenging, dynamic environment which offers growth and opportunities? Come join us at Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

Duties

→ Intermediate Financial Management Advisor (FI-02) Role:
Reporting to a Senior Financial Management Advisor, the intermediate Financial Management Advisor provides financial advice and guidance to client managers and directors. They prepare various analysis and financial reports on all financial authorities (operating expenditures and salaries, capital, and grants & contributions) for different financial management needs, such as the budget planning, budget allocation exercise, and the quarterly in-year forecast reporting exercises. They also contribute to the costing exercises for Cabinet documents and to the fund certification process for significant expenditures, mainly related to grants and contributions’ initiatives, including tracking related projects and forecasts.

→ Senior Financial Management Advisor (FI-03) Role:
Reporting to a Deputy Director, the Senior Financial Management Advisor oversees teams of Financial Management Operations and Financial Management advisors and analysts who provide a wide range of financial analysis for senior management strategic guidance to client senior management. This is a supervisory role where you will provide guidance and priority-setting for your staff.

These job could be right for you, if…
• You are a good team player and enjoy collaboration
• You are a motivated, self-starter who takes initiative
• You are resourceful and not afraid of challenges
• You are able to think critically and exercise sound judgement
• You are driven by a fast-paced environment
• You have strong leadership skills
• You have a strong sense of values and ethics


DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVENESS
Global Affairs Canada (GAC) is committed to advancing equity and embracing diversity and inclusion by implementing meaningful actions that are founded in respect, collaboration and accountability. GAC is dedicated to ensuring that its workforce both at home and abroad is representative of Canada’s current and evolving population. GAC leverages disaggregated data in order to address underrepresentation and identify barriers to employment equity groups. GAC was proud to introduce the Deputy Ministers Pilot Sponsorship Program where the objective is to provide equitable career opportunities for indigenous peoples, black and other racialized people and persons with disabilities within management positions. This one initiative runs in parallel to broader departmental efforts to increase representation and strengthen the inclusivity of our workplace culture. All candidates who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, including Black, other racialized and Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. Knowing that diverse teams foster innovation we strongly encourage you to complete the Employment Equity (EE) section in your application.

Work environment

***************
WHO ARE WE?
***************
→ Get to know GAC:

→ Our department helps to shape Canada's place in the world. GAC manages Canada’s diplomatic relations, provides consular services to Canadians, promotes the country’s international trade, and leads Canada’s international development and humanitarian assistance. The organization is made up of professionals who work in the National Capital Region (NCR) and around the world. GAC is also a global network of 178 missions in 110 countries that supports the international work of the Department and 37 partner departments, agencies and co-locators. With six regional offices across Canada and more than 11,000 employees supporting this network, GAC offers challenging perspectives that can enrich professional skills and broaden perceptions of other cultures.

→ Chief Financial Officer Branch (CFOB): CFOB employs over twelve hundred (1200) employees across the country, approx. 50% of which are in the Financial Management Group. This branch supports the CFO’s portfolio which includes all aspects of financial management and stewardship with an annual expenditure base of over $6.7B, a significant portion of which are grants and contributions of over $4.7 B. The CFO is also responsible for real property and accommodations, procurement and asset management, project governance, and financial management systems.

Values:
CFOB values its people, their wellbeing, and their careers, as recognized in our branch priorities. The branch has been prioritizing the career development of its employees and exploring new possibilities to facilitate growth and success. For example, many employees have been supported financially via our Reimbursement of Tuition program, while pursuing the Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) designation or a university degree. Last year, over $1.1M was invested in training and development for the CFO Branch alone!

Additional information:

• The official work location for CFOB is 200, promenade du Portage, Gatineau, building close to old Hull’s best restaurants, bicycle paths and downtown Ottawa. You will have access to showers and a secure bicycle cage.
• GAC also offers the possibility of flexible work arrangements such as compressed workweeks, leave with income averaging, opportunities to be part of a networking community, and outstanding professional development opportunities in a wide variety of fields and functions.
• Following the publication of the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) Direction on prescribed presence in the workplace, GAC has embarked in the implementation of its hybrid work model* at Headquarters and regional offices in Canada. Some exceptions may be allowed in compliance with the directives in place.
* A hybrid work model is a blend of in-office and telework.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff several FI-02 and FI-03 positions on an indeterminate basis with various language requirements (BBB/BBB and CBC/CBC).

A pool of candidates may be established to staff similar positions with various tenures and/or various language requirements at Global Affairs Canada.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

***********************
ESSENTIAL 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;*
* This experience can be acquired in the public service or through other means (e.g., private sector, volunteer work, self-employment or any other experience deemed to be relevant by the hiring manager).
OR
Occupational Certification:
Eligibility for a recognized professional accounting designation. The recognized professional accounting designations are Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), Chartered Accountant (CA), Certified Management Accountant (CMA), Certified General Accountant (CGA).

Degree equivalency

************************
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FI-02 AND FI-03:
************************
*Significant experience working in two or more of the following disciplines:
• Financial resource management and Budgeting;
• Financial internal and/or external reporting (e.g. financial statements);
• Costing;
• Accounting operations and Financial policy interpretation;
• Financial auditing and Internal controls;
• Financial or accounting systems; and
• Financial management specifically related to key and significant initiatives related to transfer payments (grants & contributions), real property, capital investments, etc.
***If you have experience in more than two (2) areas, please describe in detail for each area.***

DEFINITION OF SIGNIFICANT EXPERIENCE (FI-02 AND FI-03)

• For the FI-02 level “Significant experience” is defined as being one in which the person's primary responsibilities include these related duties and refers to the breadth and depth as well as complexity of tasks that could be expected to have been obtained by carrying out the functions for a cumulative period of approximately eighteen (18) months.
• *For the FI-03 level “Significant experience” is defined as being one in which the person's primary responsibilities include these related duties and refers to the breadth and depth as well as complexity of tasks that could be expected to have been obtained by carrying out the functions for a cumulative period of approximately thirty-six (36) months.

************************
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FI-02 AND FI-03:
************************
Experience in conducting financial analysis, interpreting data, providing recommendations and advice, as well as delivering financial presentation material, reports or briefings for senior management.

************************
ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE FI-03 ONLY
************************
Experience in providing strategic advice and recommendations to Senior Management on financial or management issues;

Experience in supervising human resources or managing teams.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

Possession of a recognized Canadian professional accounting designation (i.e. CPA).

ASSET EXPERIENCES:

Experience working with SAP

Experience using advanced functions in Excel (e.g., pivot tables; macros, etc.)

Experience in using innovative financial reporting tools (e.g. PowerBI)

Experience in developing and delivering financial management training sessions

Experience working in a federal government department or agency

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)
Bilingual - Imperative (CBC/CBC)

Information on language requirements

***************************
ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES:
***************************
• Reliability
• Adaptability
• Client focus and collaboration
• Integrity and Respect
• Result driven
• Effective interpersonal relationships

*********************
ESSENTIAL ABILITIES:
*********************
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to prioritize workload and work within tight deadlines.

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

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Availability and willingness to work overtime occasionally.

Conditions of employment

Secret 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

***************************
Application / Pre-Screening:
***************************
Candidates must clearly demonstrate with concrete examples (in the pre-screening questions) HOW they meet the education and experience factors listed in the qualifications, WHERE and WHEN they have acquired them. They must also specify the names of the EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS and the EMPLOYERS as well as the CORRESPONDING PERIODS.
The assessment board cannot make any assumptions about your experience. Note that it is not sufficient to only state that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Resumes will be used as a secondary source to validate the experience described in the experience questionnaire. Failure to clearly demonstrate in the questionnaire how you meet the education and experience, both essential and asset where applicable, may result in the rejection of your application. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

A variety of assessment tools may be used (online evaluation, written examination, Public Service Commission tests, interview and/or reference checks).

You must meet all ESSENTIAL qualifications in order to be appointed to a position. Other qualifications or organizational needs may be a deciding factor in choosing persons to be appointed, depending on the requirements of the specific positions being staffed.


******************
Communication:
******************
All written communication could be used to assess the ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent. We will contact candidates when the screening process is completed. Candidates will be contacted by email, and it is imperative that you provide a current email address that accepts e-mail from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Candidates are strongly encouraged to check their email on a regular basis. It is your entire responsibility to inform us at all times of any changes regarding your contact information. If special circumstances prevent you from having access to your e-mail, please contact the person noted below.

NOTE :
1. Accommodations: In order to ensure that you are assessed in a fair and equitable manner in the next stages, please advise us if you require accommodation measures. Please note that the asset qualifications may be invoked at any time of the selection process including the screening stage.

2. Candidates are advised that an exam and/or interview will only be rescheduled under these exceptional circumstances:
- Medical reason with certificate;
- Pre-arranged travel with proof;
- Pre-scheduled training with proof;
- Pre-arranged exam/interview for another Government of Canada staffing process with proof;
- Death in the family with proof;
- Other exceptional reason deemed acceptable by the Selection Board (e.g. Jury Duty, etc.).

3. You must provide your education credentials. Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/

4. 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.

5. For volume management reasons: Management may also decide to use top-down ranking or random selection at any stage of the process, or to invoke one or more asset(s) at any point of the process.

6. Further to changes made to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) to address systemic barriers for equity-seeking groups in public service staffing, permanent residents now have the same preference as Canadian citizens when appointments are made through external advertised hiring processes.

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.