Consular Officer

Summary of Duties:

Canada’s official representation in Germany includes the Embassy of Canada in Berlin, as well as consulates in Düsseldorf and Munich. Members of the team work in a fast-paced multidisciplinary and international environment. The Consular Services Program is responsible for the provision of consular services to Canadian citizens in Germany. Under the supervision of the Deputy Management Consular Officer (DMCO), the Consular Officer manages the delivery of consular services on behalf of the Embassy of Canada, contributes to the Embassy's emergency management preparation in support of the Canadian community, and provides administrative support to the program. The Consular Officer is responsible for: managing the delivery of passport and citizenship services to Canadians within the Mission’s area of accreditation (Germany); overseeing delivery of routine and general assistance and information to the Canadian community, including through the development of social media campaigns; developing and maintaining awareness of the local environment and building a network of relationships to facilitate the delivery of consular services; supervising Consular Assistant positions; providing administrative support, including financial, to the Consular program, and performing other related duties, including but not limited to supporting visits by Canadian government officials as well as assisting the Mission in its operations and activities as directed. 

 

Area of Selection:

This position is open to internal and external candidates who have the right to reside and work in Germany, who meet all the essential requirements stated below, and whose applications are received by the closing date. This includes German citizens, permanent residents, employees of the Embassy of Canada, and dependents/spouses of Canadian Based Staff, who meet all the essential requirements stated below.

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Germany 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 a recognized university
  OR
• An acceptable combination of education (such as Abitur, Ausbildung, or equivalent) and a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience in fields such as social work, provision of social services in Germany, counselling, and/or emergency management.

Note: Work experience is defined as five years (full-time) within the last ten years 

 

Language:

• Advanced level in English (oral and written)
• Intermediate level in French (oral and written)
• Advanced level in German (oral and written)

 

Experience:

• Significant work experience* in responding to public enquiries and providing client service (external or internal clients)
• Significant work experience* in the preparation of a variety of documents (e.g. briefing notes, presentations, official correspondence)
• Experience** in supervising a team and/or leading a team towards completion of a project

*Significant work experience is defined as three years (full-time) within the last ten years. 

**Experience is defined as one year within the last 5 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 local environment, particularly of local authorities and non-governmental social services and the assistance they offer
• Knowledge of the consular mandate of Global Affairs Canada 
• Professional knowledge of Microsoft Office Products

 Applicants are encouraged to read about Consular Services on this site: About consular services - Travel.gc.ca 

 

Competencies:

• Excellent client focus skills
• Judgment and discretion
• Networking and alliance building
• Demonstrating initiative and being action-oriented
• Team Leadership

 

Abilities: 

• Ability to manage competing priorities effectively with a high level of detail in a fast-paced work environment
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
• Ability to analyze, evaluate and present information to facilitate decision making

 

 

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.

• Recent* experience working for a diplomatic mission, or a governmental or international organization
• Recent* experience in a role relating to emergency management
• Advanced level of French
• Recent* managerial experience
• Recent* work experience applying and interpreting directives, policies and procedures in a regulatory environment
• Recent* work experience in Canada or in an organization linked to Canada
• Recent* experience in offering social services in Germany
• Currently hold an active Reliability Clearance issued by the Canadian Government

*Recent experience is defined as within the last five years. 

 

Operational Requirements:

• Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday (7.5 hours per day)
• May be required to work overtime
• May be required to work outside normal working hours (i.e. evenings and weekends)
• Requirement to work directly with the public
• May be required to travel within and/or outside of Germany
• Work is strictly office-based, work from home not being operationally feasible

 

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.

- Other conditions of employment:

Certification of passport management: The appointment of the successful candidate will be subject to passing an exam on passport issuance with a minimum passing grade of 80% within the first month of employment. The candidate will follow a one-week self-led course to prepare for the exam. This also includes coaching provided by HQ to prepare for the exam. If the candidate is unable to pass the exam within the first month of employment, the employment will end. If the candidate has already completed the Passport Training for Foreign Operations course, proof of the certification should be then included with the application

 

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 Germany 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 and Consulates of Canada to Germany 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.