FPDS Officer (Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Service)

Selection Process Nº: 197059-6

Salary: 72,864 EUR a year and benefits (as per Terms of Conditions of Employment for Locally-Engaged Staff in Belgium).

Contract Type: Indeterminate (Full-time)

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

Job Function: Officer

Classification: LE - O1

Location: Embassy of Canada to Belgium and Luxembourg

Number of Vacancies: 1

Closing date for application: 5 January, 2025 at 23:59 UTC/GMT

 

Summary of Duties:

Nederlands :

Onder toezicht van de Programmamanager van de Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Service (FPDS), is de Public Affairs Officer verantwoordelijk voor het leveren van een essentiële bijdrage en het implementeren van de communicatie en public affairs strategie van de Ambassade van Canada in België en Luxemburg (de Missie). 

De verantwoordelijkheden omvatten: de ontwikkeling en uitvoering van strategieën voor belangenbehartiging, waaronder de planning van evenementen of de deelname van Canadese ambtenaren aan evenementen; het creëren en publiceren van accurate en passende inhoud op de digitale en sociale media-accounts van de missie, waaronder de ontwikkeling van inhoud en de bewerking van foto's en video's; het opzetten en onderhouden van een netwerk van contacten in verband met activiteiten en prioriteiten van de missie; en het uitvoeren van andere taken in verband met belangenbehartiging ter ondersteuning van de prioriteiten van de missie als geheel, zoals vereist.

Hij/zij moet ook verslagen over strategische kwesties, evenementen en bezoeken opstellen en beoordelen. Af en toe moet hij/zij documenten vertalen en tolken voor Canadese werknemers.

De functie staat bloot aan een zekere mate van stress bij het beheren van meerdere prioriteiten en deadlines, waarvan vele dringend, en bij het reageren op veranderende en soms onvoorspelbare eisen en behoeften van klanten.


English:

Under the supervision of the Program manager of the Foreign Policy and Diplomacy Service (FPDS), the Public Affairs Officer’s core responsibility is to provide an essential contribution and to implement the communication and public affairs strategy of the Embassy of Canada to Belgium and Luxembourg (the Mission). 

Responsibilities include: the development and implementation of advocacy strategies, including the planning of events or the participation of Canadian officials to events; creating and publishing accurate and appropriate content on the Mission’s digital and social media accounts, which includes content development and photo and video editing; establishing and maintaining a network of contacts in relation to Mission activities and priorities; and carrying out other advocacy related duties in support of whole of Mission priorities as required

The incumbent is also required to draft and review reports on strategic issues as well as events and visits. Occasionally, the incumbent may be required to translate documents and to serve as interpreter for Canadian employees.

The position is exposed to a certain level of stress in the management of multiple priorities and deadlines, many of which are urgent, and in responding to changing and sometimes unpredictable client demands and needs.

 

Area of Selection:

Nederlands :

Deze selectieprocedure staat open voor kandidaten die op het moment van de aanvraag het recht hebben om legaal in België te verblijven en te werken, die voldoen aan alle essentiële criteria en van wie de sollicitatiedocumenten op de sluitingsdatum zijn ontvangen. 


English:

This selection process is open to candidates who, upon applying, have the right to reside and work legally in Belgium, who meet all the essential criteria and whose application documents are received by the closing date. 

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Belgium and Luxembourg 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.

Nederlands :

      • Bachelordiploma (of gelijkwaardig) van een erkende hogeschool of universiteit in een vakgebied dat verband houdt met de taken die de functie vereist (zoals communicatie, journalistiek, digitale media, informatiewetenschappen, public affairs, marketing of internationale betrekkingen) ;

OF

      • Een diploma van een erkende universiteit en minimaal drie jaar relevante werkervaring.

English:

      • Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from an accredited college or university in a field related to the duties required by the position (such as Communications, Journalism, Digital Media, Information Studies, Public Affairs, Marketing, or International Relations);

OR

      • A degree from a recognised university and a minimum of three years of relevant work experience.

Language:

Nederlands:

Effectief* kunnen communiceren in het Engels, Frans en Nederlands (spreken, lezen en schrijven). 

* “Effectief communiceren” wordt beschouwd als gelijkwaardig aan C1-niveau in het Nederlands en C1 in het Engels of Frans, met B2 in de andere taal volgens het Gemeenschappelijk Europees Referentiekader voor Talen. (link toevoegen: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions).


English:

Ability to communicate effectively* in English, French and Dutch (speaking, reading and writing). 

* “Communicate effectively” is considered to be the equivalent to C1 level in Dutch and C1 in English or French, with B2 in the other language as per the Common European framework of reference for languages. (link: https://www.coe.int/en/web/common-european-framework-reference-languages/level-descriptions)

Experience:

Nederlands :

      • Kandidaten moeten minimaal drie jaar recente werkervaring* hebben op het gebied van public affairs en communicatie (d.w.z. planning van evenementen en campagnes, projectbeheer met de publieke, private of culturele sector, samenwerking met partners en mediarelaties).
      • Recente* ervaring met het bedenken, ontwerpen en produceren van infographics, video's, foto's, uitnodigingen en ander promotiemateriaal dat wordt gebruikt in campagnes voor belangenbehartiging.  
      • Recente* ervaring met het ontwerpen en uitvoeren van strategieën voor public affairs/marketing en/of belangenbehartiging (inclusief planning, uitvoering, bijhouden/rapporten van resultaten en budgetbeheer). 

*Recent betekent binnen de laatste 5 jaar.


English:

      • Candidates must have a minimum of three years’ recent work experience* in the field of public affairs and communication (i.e. planning of events and advocacy campaigns, project management with the public, private or cultural sectors, collaboration with partners, and media relations).
      • Recent* experience conceptualizing, designing, and producing infographics, videos, photographs, invitations, and other promotional material used in advocacy campaigns.  
      • Recent* experience in designing and implementing public affairs/marketing and/or advocacy strategies (including planning, execution, tracking/reporting results and budget management).

*Recent is defined as 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:

Nederlands:

      • Kennis van de mediasectoren in België (Vlaams en Franstalig) en Luxemburg ;
      • Kennis van de politieke en economische dynamiek in België en Luxemburg ;
      • Kennis van virtuele promotie- en pleitbezorgingstools, waaronder X ;
      • Kennis van digitale media en montagesoftware, bijvoorbeeld Premier Pro, Final Cut Pro, Avid, of vergelijkbaar. 

English:

      • Knowledge of the media sectors in Belgium (Flemish and Francophone) and Luxembourg. 
      • Knowledge of political and economic dynamics in Belgium and Luxembourg.
      • Knowledge of virtual promotion and advocacy tools, including X.
      • Knowledge of digital media and editing software, for example Premier Pro, Final Cut Pro, Avid, or similar.

Competencies:

Nederlands :

      • Interactieve communicatie in het Frans, Engels en Nederlands, op het vereiste niveau ;
      • Het vermogen om een netwerk van contacten te ontwikkelen en te onderhouden ;
      • In staat zijn om doelen te stellen en te bereiken en concurrerende prioriteiten met strakke deadlines te beheren ;
      • Initiatief tonen en actiegericht zijn ;
      • Integriteit en respect ;
      • Oordeel ;
      • Effectief teamwerk ;
      • Klantgerichtheid ;
      • Vermogen om te analyseren.

English:

      • Interactive communication in French, English and Dutch, at the required level.
      • Ability to develop and maintain a network of contacts.
      • Ability to set and attain objectives and manage competing priorities with tight deadlines.
      • Showing Initiative and being action-oriented.
      • Integrity and respect.
      • Judgment.
      • Effective teamwork.
      • Client orientation.
      • Ability to analyse. 

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.

Nederlands :

      • Ervaring met evenementenbeheer.
      • Ervaring met werken voor de overheid.
      • Ervaring in de culturele sector in België en Luxemburg.
      • Ervaring met analyse, rapportage of strategisch advies over politieke en economische kwesties.
      • Ervaring met het beheer van de financiële aspecten van programma's (d.w.z. begrotingen, bijhouden van uitgaven, analyse van financiële verslagen).
      • Vermogen om effectief te communiceren in het Duits, op een niveau gelijkwaardig aan B2 van het Gemeenschappelijk Europees Referentiekader voor Talen.

English:

      • Experience in event management.
      • Experience working for government.
      • Experience in the cultural sector in Belgium and/Luxembourg.
      • Experience in analysis, reporting, or strategic advice on political and economic issues.
      • Experience in managing the financial aspects of programmes (i.e. budgets, expenses tracking, financial report analysis).
      • Ability to communicate effectively in German, at a level equivalent to B2 of the Common European framework of reference for languages. 

Operational Requirements:

Nederlands :

      • Normaal werkrooster : 37,5 uur/week (maandag tot vrijdag).
      • Mogelijkheid om af en toe over te werken, ook 's avonds en in het weekend.
      • Mogelijkheid om deel te nemen aan evenementen en vergaderingen buiten de normale werkuren (d.w.z. 's avonds en in het weekend).
      • De succesvolle kandidaat moet regelmatig reizen in België en Luxemburg.

English:

      • Normal work schedule: 37.5 hours/week (Monday to Friday).
      • Ability to work overtime occasionally, including on evenings and weekends.
      • Ability to participate in events and meetings outside normal working hours (i.e., evenings and weekends).
      • The successful candidate will be required to travel regularly in Belgium and Luxembourg. 

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-BREU@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 evaluate English, French and Flemish.
  • 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 Belgium and Luxembourg 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-BREU@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 Belgium and Luxembourg 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.