CDA Senior Program Assistant

Summary of Duties:

Under the supervision of the Canadian Defence Attaché Administrative Assistant (CDA AA) and working with Canadian diplomatic missions covering eight countries, the Senior Program Assistant:

1. Acts as the primary point of contact for the Military Training and Cooperation Program
2. Communicates in Kazakh, Russian and English with a variety of people up to the senior levels of government and possesses the specialized vocabulary to deal with military matters
3. Is able to tactfully deal with bureaucracies in eight countries 
4. Organizes accreditation and de-accreditation for attachés in eight countries (independent decision making required to consolidate all arrangements) ;
5. Provides fast and accurate translations of newspaper articles, reports, diplomatic notes, etc. 
6. Simultaneous translation and interpretation
7. Make travel arrangements
8. Support financial management
9. Provides assistance with CDA invitations
10. Handles general Canadian Defence Attaché Office correspondence 
11. Other tasks assigned by the Deputy Canadian Defence Attaché or Canadian Defence Attaché Administrative Assistant

The incumbent is sometimes required to work long hours and under high pressure. Mistakes could have serious impact and repercussion for Defence policy or cause embarrassment to Canada or senior Canadian Military Officers. Due to the sensitivity and confidentiality of some of the information handled, this individual must be trustworthy and exercise discretion in the handling of information.  

 

Area of Selection:

This position is open to external applicants (who are legal residents of Kazakhstan) as well as for internal applicants: indeterminate and term employees. Candidates of both categories should meet all of the essential requirements stated below and be able to submit applications by the closing date.

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan 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.

• Diploma in Linguistics, Political Science, International Relations, International Law, Public Administration
  Or 
• An equivalent combination of education, training and/or significant* experience

Note: significant is defined as minimum of five years

 

Language:

• Fluency in English (oral, reading and writing
• Fluency in Kazakh (oral, reading and writing)
• Fluency in Russian (oral, reading and writing)  

 

Experience:

• Significant* experience in an administrative support role in an office environment in diplomatic mission, government or in a private sector company relevant to the position
• Significant* experience with a range of computer applications

Note: significant is defined as minimum of five 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 standard office procedures
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office 
• Knowledge of Canada, Russia and Central Asia

 

Competencies:

• Focus on Quality & Details
• Resilience and adaptability: the ability to stay calm in tense, demanding and often time sensitive situations
• Judgement and discretion
• Effectiveness / Achievement Orientation:  the ability to work independently with initiative and little or no guidance
• Interpersonal Relations and Respect:  the ability to foster and maintain relationships with stakeholders
  
  
  

Abilities: 

• Ability to translate documents and simultaneously translate conversations from English to Kazakh/Russian and Kazakh/Russian to English
• Ability To communicate clearly and concisely
• Ability To analyze and evaluate information and make sound decisions based on this information
• Ability To prioritize workload and multi-task multiple files with multiple clients
  
  
  

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.

• Previous experience working in an international environment
• Ability to communicate in French in an office environment
  
  

Operational Requirements:

• Hours of work: 37.5 hours per week, 5 days per week
• Willingness and ability to work overtime occasionally after normal working hours
• Willingness to undergo training
• Willingness to travel
  
  
  

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.

 

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-BRLIN@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 Embassy of Canada to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan 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 Policy for Mandatory Vaccination: Canada and the Mission Network 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-BRLIN@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 Embassy of Canada to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan 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.