Job Description

Summary of Duties:

The province of Ontario generates 40% of Canada’s GDP and is home to the second largest tech sector in North America. The Ontario Government has a network of representational offices, Ontario International - Trade and Investment Offices (TIOs), in cities around the world. They are co-located in Canadian diplomatic missions, composed of a Canadian Diplomat (Head of the TIO) and a locally engaged team. 

Measured by quantitative results, TIOs are mandated to build commercial and cultural relations between Ontario and the host country in three ways: 1) Export Promotion; 2) Foreign Direct Investment Attraction; and 3) Partnership Development.

The Commercial Officer (Ontario) is a local employee of the Government of Canada but works with and reports to the Head of Program at the Ontario Trade and Investment Office (TIO). Under the general direction of the Head of Program, the Commercial Officer (Ontario) contributes to the commercial success of Ontario companies in the territory covered by the Trade and Investment Office. This includes support to exporters, but also innovation, foreign direct investment (FDI) into Ontario as well as advocacy. 

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Building and maintaining, in collaboration with the Head of Program, a strong network of diverse local contacts to support program objectives, including identifying and reaching out to potential clients, partners, and investors.  
• Collaborating closely with Ontario stakeholders, companies and partners to support program delivery and Ontario’s commercial interests.
• Providing advice and/or responding to requests for information on foreign direct investment, trade, business environment, opportunities and challenges.
• Conducting research from a wide range of sources to analyze trends in the local market with an eye towards identifying and supporting opportunities for Ontario.
• Feeding into, and supporting short and long term strategies to advance the success of Ontario companies in the U.S.
• Drafting content for social media and other marketing / promotional material.
• Supporting business development activities and events, including working with the Head of Program to deliver official visits from Ontario, supporting business delegations from, and to, Ontario, and suggesting opportunities for improvement.
• Developing, planning and implementing a business development program / annual activities to support Ontario’s economic interests, including tracking and reporting results.

 

Area of Selection:

This selection process is open to applicants legally residing in San Francisco region at the time of appointment. Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

Please note that the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly.

The Government of Canada is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from diverse sections of the community. Candidates will be considered based on merit. Our organization offers an inclusive workplace where respect, teamwork, and collaboration are part of our culture. Canada’s missions abroad are committed to promoting and supporting an environment free from harassment and discrimination, as well as encouraging and supporting employees to learn and develop their skills and competencies.

 

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates will initially be screened against the Essential Qualifications relating to education, language* and experience.

Candidates must clearly demonstrate when applying to the position how they meet each of these essential qualifications.

*Language will be assessed further during the process. 

 

Education:

Candidates will be required to provide proof of the completion of their education.

• Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in business, economics, or a field related to the duties of the position or an acceptable combination of relevant experience, education, and training. 

 

Language:

• An advanced proficiency level in English (speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension). 

 

Experience:

• At least two years of recent experience* working in business development, economic development or program management in the United States, ideally in a trade & investment promotion environment;
• Recent experience* in managing client and key stakeholder relationships, and in obtaining, preparing for, and conducting meetings with private sector clients (i.e., business to business meetings, sales meetings, cold calls);
• Recent experience* managing projects (including strategic planning, tracking/reporting results and budget management);
• Recent experience* conducting research and analysis and providing strategic advice, briefings and written reports to senior management and/or clients on business issues;

 

*Recent experience is defined as work experience in the last 3 years. 

 

RATED REQUIREMENTS

The Rated Requirements are part of the essential qualifications and are relating to knowledge, abilities and competencies. Methods of assessment for rated requirements may include, but are not limited to, a written examination, an oral interview (online pre-recorded/live or in-person), role-play, practical tests, presentations and/or psychometric assessment.

 

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the factors that influence international business decisions (e.g. business growth, regulatory environment, fundraising, talent acquisition, international expansion). 

 

Competencies:

• Strong interpersonal / relationship building skills 
• Initiative and action orientation
• Client orientation

 

Abilities:

• Ability to organize, prepare for, conduct and follow up on a business development activity.
• Ability to work independently in a proactive and accountable manner, whilst managing multiple priorities;
• Ability to develop and maintain a diverse network of clients, contacts and business influencers; and,
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing, and provide strategic advice.

 

Asset Qualifications:

Preference may be given to candidates who meet the Asset Qualifications. Where applicable, candidates must clearly demonstrate how they meet any asset qualifications.

• Knowledge of recent economic trends, developments and priorities in Ontario, and California.
• Working knowledge of French.
• Experience working in Government, in a diplomatic mission or in a large international organization.

 

Operational Requirements:

• Hours of work: Normal hours of work for this position are in accordance with Locally-Engaged Staff regulations of 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate must be willing to work occasional overtime outside normal working hours when required (e.g. early mornings, evenings, weekends).
• Work location: Work is normally performed onsite with some limited flexibility for teleworking (up to two days per week, subject to change).
• Travel: Willingness and ability to travel domestically/internationally as required and potentially on short notice.
• The Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco observes a combination of US and Canadian statutory holidays, which means you will be required to work on certain country holidays. 

 

Conditions of Employment:

Conditions of employment must be met or complied with before being appointed to a particular position, and are to be maintained throughout the employment while being the incumbent of this position.

- Valid work authorization:  Ability to obtain and hold a valid work authorization covering the entire employment period.

- Security screening:  Obtain and maintain a Reliability Status (security level) which includes a criminal and credit background check from the Government of Canada covering the entire employment period.

 

Special Request from Mission / Additional Comments:

We offer a competitive salary, generous leave, 12 weeks of paid parental leave and a strong benefits package that includes medical, dental, long term disability and a retirement savings plan. Please find a summary of our benefits package and information on employment eligibility at:  Jobs at our offices in the United States (international.gc.ca)

Our organization offers an inclusive workplace where respect, teamwork, and collaboration are part of our culture.  Canada’s missions abroad are committed to promoting and supporting an environment free from harassment and discrimination, as well as encouraging and supporting employees to learn and develop their skills and competencies. Canada’s strength is diversity and it has played a key role in Canada’s history and development.  Because of this, the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco values diversity, equity and inclusion in our workforce.

 

How to Apply

• You must submit your application using the "Apply online" function. Only applications submitted via VidCruiter will be considered, unless a valid reason is presented and accepted prior to the closing date.
• Do not include personal data such as; age, date of birth, gender, marital status, family status, religion or a picture in your application form, CV nor cover letter (as required). Please only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the job poster.  
• You must clearly demonstrate in answering the screening questions how you meet the education and experience factors listed in the essential and asset qualifications. You must provide specific examples to demonstrate clearly how you meet the qualifications. Global Affairs Canada cannot make any assumptions about your studies nor experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing your current duties will not be sufficient. Instead, you must provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the experience. No additional information will be sought beyond what you submit in your online application.  
• Candidates may be required to upload a CV and/or a cover letter in English or French. These documents may be used as a secondary source to validate the answers to the screening questions.
• Applications which do not include all of the requested documents or information and/or which are not received by the closing date will be rejected.
• Candidates who are unable to submit their application due to technical difficulties must report these to LES-E-Recruitment-WSHDC@international.gc.ca prior to the closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being rejected.

 

Important Notes

• Only applications submitted in one of the official languages of Canada will be accepted (English or French).
• The language requirement for this position is identified under the essential qualifications (language). In consequence, the assessment process for this vacancy will be conducted in English.
• Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidates to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required.
• Candidates must provide an email address that accepts email from unknown users and regularly check their email, including spam folder.
• Reference checks may be sought for candidates who succeeded all of the assessments.
• Please note that the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco does not reimburse any travel costs to and from interviews/exams nor does it reimburse any relocation costs.
• Before an offer of employment can be made, successful candidates must provide a local residence address as proof of residence in the specified area of selection. This information is necessary to issue a letter of offer.
• As recently announced by the Government of Canada, the is suspended as of June 20, 2022. The Government of Canada will continue to assess the need for additional public health measures, including the possible reintroduction of a vaccination mandate at a later date. 
• 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 contact us at LES-E-Recruitment-WSHDC@international.gc.ca to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
• The results of this selection process may also be used to establish one or more pools of fully or partially qualified candidates for similar term, indeterminate, part-time or full-time openings at the Consulate General of Canada in San Francisco which might arise following the completion of this selection process.
• For Canadian citizens/residents and Canadian dual nationals, please note that it is your responsibility to enquire with the Canadian Revenue Agency about any possible taxation implications linked to an employment with the Government of Canada.

Job Tags

Holiday work, Full time, Temporary work, Part time, Work experience placement, Local area, Relocation, Weekend work, Afternoon shift, 2 days per week, Early shift,

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