Director, Japan – British Columbia

Selection Process Nº: 180311-6

Salary: JPY 11,794,019 to JPY 18,081,722 per annum, plus applicable benefits

Contract Type: Indeterminate (Full-time)

Term Details: This position is a LES (Locally Engaged Staff) position, subject to the Terms and Conditions of Employment for LES in Japan.

Job Function: Manager

Classification: LE-M1

Location: Tokyo, Japan

Number of Vacancies: 1

Closing date for application: 7 July, 2024 at 23:59 UTC/GMT +9:00

Context

 

The Trade and Industry Development Division (TIDD), part of the British Columbia Ministry of Jobs, Economic Development, and Innovation (JEDI), facilitates trade promotion, investment attraction, and supports initiatives to increase export capacity in all regions of the province. TIDD works collaboratively with key stakeholders, industry, and all levels of government to build an inclusive, sustainable, and innovative economy. The division capitalizes on these strategic partnerships by developing integrated trade and investment programs to help BC increase exports, solidify international alliances, attract foreign direct investment, and eliminate protectionist measures.

 

The Trade and Invest BC (TIBC) Branch is accountable for the optimization of export growth and investment attraction in British Columbia. This includes the development and delivery of policy, programs and services that support revenue generation, increasing family sustaining jobs and facilitating investment in BC based businesses. The branch is responsible for overseeing trade and investment representatives in BC’s global network and for managing relationships with international and domestic trade and investment partners, federal, provincial, and municipal governments, and Indigenous communities.

 

Summary of Duties

 

The Director is a locally engaged employee of the Government of Canada representing the Province of British Columbia in Japan. The position serves as British Columbia’s most senior representative for Japan and is required to lead a team of trade and investment managers to plan, develop and deliver the Province of British Columbia’s annual program of trade promotion and investment attraction activities. 

 

The Director leads the development and implementation of British Columbia’s strategy for trade and investment in Japan. This involves developing strategic initiatives that advance and protect BC’s commercial interests including but not limited to inbound and outbound executive visits, tradeshow and event organization and participation, promotional campaigns and related activities. 

 

The Director is the key liaison for British Columbia with Global Affairs Canada and senior-level contacts in industry, multi-national corporations, governments, bi-lateral business Chambers and academia in Japan. 

 

As a trusted advisor, the Director provides policy advice to the Minister (Commercial), Ambassadors, Consuls General, and BC Senior Officials on advancing BC’s economic interests in Japan.  They ensure the British Columbia trade and investment program meets business needs; provides added value to British Columbian exporters by providing market intelligence and solutions to enable a sustainable presence of British Columbian business in Japan. They also provide targeted advice to British Columbia businesses to enhance their competitiveness in the market.

 

Area of Selection

 

This position is open to external applicants residing in Japan and employees in Government of Canada Mission based in Japan who meet all the essential qualifications and whose applications are received by the closing date. Short-listed candidates should be able to participate in tests and/or interviews. The successful candidate will be required to relocate to Tokyo at their own expense.

 

Please note that the Embassy of Canada in Japan does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly.

 

The Government of Canada is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse sections of the community.  Candidates will be considered on merit regardless of ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other irrelevant factor. 

 

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 college or university.

 

Language:

 

  • Proficiency in English (reading, writing, listening and speaking)
  • Proficiency in Japanese (reading, writing, listening and speaking)

 

Experience:

  •  A minimum of ten years’ experience of which at least eight years in the last ten years must be recent in each of the following:  

 

      • Experience in international business development, strategic planning, trade promotion and/or foreign direct investment attraction. 
      • Experience developing and managing client and stakeholder relationships and in providing business service support to small and large customers and clients.
      • Experience in project management.
      • Experience in providing strategic advice, briefings, and written reports to executive leadership/management and/or clients on international business issues.

 

  •  A minimum of three years’ experience in a leadership role managing a team, obtained in the last eight 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 or in-person, role-play, practical tests, presentations and/or psychometric assessment.

 

Knowledge:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of key economic sectors, businesses, and opportunities in Japan.
  • Knowledge of the factors that influence investment, expansion, retention, relocation and aftercare decisions.

Competencies:

 

Abilities:

  • Team supervision, including setting and monitoring performance objectives and providing daily oversight.
  • Significant experience in developing, planning, and coordinating international trade events and business missions involving senior-level officials and decision-makers.
  • Effective communication skills (both written and verbal), and strong presentation skills with experience in public speaking.
  • Ability to lead the development and implementation of annual and multi-year strategic plans, and to understand corporate decision-making cycles.
  • Ability to establish and maintain a network of relationships with key influencers and investors in industry, government and related organizations and associations in Japan.

 

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.

 

  • Master’s Degree from a recognized university.
  • Previous experience working in a diplomatic mission or intergovernmental organization.
  • Knowledge of British Columbia’s key economic sectors, businesses, geographic regions, economic strengths, and value proposition for investment.

 

Operational Requirements:

  • Working hours are 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour lunch break each day.
  • Must be available for occasional overtime outside normal working hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)
  • Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a valid visa for international travel and/or travel to Canada. 

 

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: 

The successful candidate must:

 

  • Health assessment may be requested at the discretion of the Head of Mission.

 

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 whose 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-MANIL@international.gc.ca prior to the closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being rejected.

 

Important Notes

  • Employee is eligible for commuting assistance (up to JPY 18,300 per month). 
  • 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 in Tokyo, Japan 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.
  • 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-MANIL@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 openings at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo, Japan 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.