Policy Officer, Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization of the American States (PRMOAS)

Job Description

An opportunity exists for a three (3)-year term position as a Policy Officer with the Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization of the American States (PRMOAS) – a multilateral diplomatic mission that focuses on promoting Canadian objectives and interests through the OAS and other hemispheric partners. The Policy Officer will work primarily on issues related to the OAS management and administration.

Position title: Policy Officer
Section: Permanent Mission of Canada to the Organization of the American States (PRMOAS)
Location: Embassy of Canada, Washington, D.C.
Position no: EXT-303299
Level: LE-07
Starting salary: $69,521 USD per annum, plus benefits
Competition no: 02/16
Date posted: May 13, 2016
Closing date: May 27, 2016
Employment Tenure: There is one (1) term position available, having a specified period of employment of three (3) years, with the possibility of a term extension or a change in status to indeterminate based on operational needs. This competitive staffing process may be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates for this position and other similar positions, with various tenures, including indeterminate, term, assignment/transfer, and/or acting opportunities at the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C. When you submit your application, you must specify all types of employment tenures for which you wish to be considered, e.g., indeterminate, term, assignment/transfer, and/or acting.

Open to:

• Persons living in the Washington Metropolitan area.
• Employees of the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C. and the PRMOAS.
• Employees of any Canadian Mission in the United States. Relocation will not be paid in any circumstance.
• Spouses and dependents of Canada-based staff at the Embassy of Canada and the PRMOAS.

All applicants must:

• Meet all of the Essential Requirements stated below.
• Be resident in the United States.
• Have independent work authorization in the United States and status in accordance with Unites States protocol directives for foreign missions.
• Submit resumes and cover letters by the closing date. The covering letter must specify, using concrete examples, how you meet the Essential Requirements, i.e., education, experience, for this position. All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Summary of duties:

Under the general direction of the Counsellor /Deputy Head of Mission, the Policy Officer works to advance Canadian objectives in the context of the Committee on Budget and Administrative Affairs (CAAP) and other OAS management and administration files. This involves coordinating Canada’s participation in the OAS governing bodies and acting as the back-up contact on several OAS files; providing monitoring and reporting to the appropriate authorities on developments pertaining to budget and administration of the OAS; consulting with various government departments and agencies; assisting in the analyses of documents and assisting to make policy recommendations designed to accomplish Canadian political objectives as well as to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of OAS programs; and liaising with members of the General Secretariat and other international bodies and with representatives of other delegations. Other files may be assigned to the Officer based on operational requirements.

Language requirement:

Fluency in English, both oral and written. (Fluency in French and/or Spanish, both oral and written would be an asset.)

Condition of employment (must be met):

• Eligibility for a Government of Canada Reliability Status which includes a criminal and credit background check; and
• Independent work authorization in the United States and status in accordance with United States protocol directives for foreign missions.

Essential requirements:

Candidates must demonstrate clearly how they meet the Education and Experience requirements listed below:

Education:

University or college degree; or an acceptable combination of relevant experience, education, and training.

Experience:

• Minimum of three (3) years of experience in institutional management and administration/corporate practice or organizational change;
• Experience in negotiation or advocacy; and
• Experience in drafting policies and political reports.

Rated requirements:

Candidates who meet the Education and Experience requirements will be assessed on the following qualifications. The assessment may be a written test, an interview, an in-basket exercise, a skills test, or any combination of these methods.

Knowledge:

• Broad working knowledge of the structure, rules, and procedures of the OAS;
• General understanding of Canadian foreign policy goals in the hemisphere;
• Knowledge of results-based management and modern business practice; and
• Knowledge of Canadian Government budgetary and administrative procedures, techniques of program evaluation, and budgetary analysis.

Abilities:

• Demonstrate superior skills in oral and written communication in English;
• Organize information and track deadlines;
• Independently plan, organize and implement multiple activities in a fast-paced environment;
• Assess, evaluate, and report on issues relevant to the Mission; and
• Analyze and make recommendations on policies.

Personal Suitability:

• Effective interpersonal skills;
• Sound judgement;
• Teamwork;
• Discretion;
• Client-service orientation; and
• Adaptable and flexible.

Desirable Requirements:

• Fluency in French and/or Spanish, both oral and written.
• Experience working with the OAS and/or in Latin America/Caribbean countries.

Selection procedure:

The staffing process will consist of a review of all applications to ensure that applicants meet the Essential Requirements. Please note that failure to meet any of the Essential Requirements eliminates candidates from further consideration in the competition. Only those applicants who meet these will be contacted by the Human Resources Section for an interview or other form of assessment of the Rated Requirements.

The assessment may include an interview, a written test, and other tests that will consist of a series of questions designed to evaluate each applicant’s knowledge, abilities, and personal suitability for the position.

The Mission offers a competitive salary, generous leave and a strong benefits package to include medical, dental, long term and short term disability, and a retirement savings plan to name a few.

The Mission is committed to conducting inclusive, barrier-free selection processes.

Method of application:

Applications should be sent by e-mail to: resume@international.gc.ca by the closing date. In completing their applications, candidates should confirm that they meet all the Essential Requirements and take care to relate their work experience to the position description and indicate the position number.

Hours of work:

Normal hours of work for this position are in accordance with the Terms and Conditions for Locally Engaged Staff (LES) in the United States of 37.5 hours per week. The successful candidate must be able to work overtime on short notice and to be available for occasional duties outside normal working hours, i.e., evenings and weekends. Additionally, the successful candidate must be admissible for travel to Canada, within the United States and throughout the Americas.