Payroll Specialist

Please use an online "time zone converter" to identify the specific closing hour in your location. 

Please consider that our application form has several pages to be filled, therefore, please take the time to complete it and correctly submit your application within the deadline 

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 in Mexico (country), which might arise following the completion of this selection process.

 

Summary of Duties 

We are looking for a meticulous and experienced Payroll Specialist to join our HR team. This role is critical in managing two distinct payroll systems (Canadian and local employees), ensuring accurate and timely processing for all employee groups. You will be responsible for: 

• Calculating and administering salary adjustments, overtime, pension contributions, and other benefit-related payments.  
• Monitoring, analyzing, and adjusting forecasts / reports on salary, social security contributions and benefit expenditures and budgets.  
• Providing client service to staff in Mexico (~280 employees) 
• Supporting the overall work of the section and performing other program related duties, as required. 

 

Area of Selection 

The position is open to people currently residing and legally able to work in Mexico. 

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Mexico does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly; and does not reimburse any relocation or travel costs (to and from interviews/exams). 

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. 

 

How to Apply 

Only candidates who follow the steps below will proceed into the next stage of the staffing process:  

• 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. 
• When you apply for the position, you must use a personal e-mail address (not a corporate or educational e-mail).  
• Do not include personal data such as: age, date of birth, gender, marital status, family status, religion or a picture in your application form nor CV. Please only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the job poster. 
• You must provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained and meet the experience and education factors listed in the essential qualifications.  The Embassy of Canada will not seek additional information nor make any assumptions about your studies nor experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing your current duties will not be sufficient and may result in your application being rejected. 
• Candidates must upload a CV in English or French. This document may be used as a secondary source to validate the answers to the screening questions. Applications which do not include all the requested documents, that fail to properly answer the screening questions, and/or not completed by the closing date will be rejected. 
• Candidates who are unable to submit their application due to technical difficulties must report these to the help desk chat located at the bottom of the Application Form, nevertheless, any incomplete application after the closing date will be rejected. 
• Candidates are responsible for saving a copy of the job poster for future reference (please note it won’t be available after the closing date and the recruitment team won’t be able to provide a copy).   

 

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 must have finished their university studies at a legally registered institution  
• Candidates must provide proof* of the completion of their education.   

*Valid documents include: “título”, “cédula”, or an academic record/official letter confirming that 100% of university courses have been completed 

Language 

• Intermediate written and spoken proficiency in English OR French, AND Spanish (similar to B2 or higher in the Common European Framework of Reference - CEFR) 

Experience 

• A minimum of two (2) years of experience for a private or public organization in a Payroll or Compensation & Benefits function. 
• Experience producing, analysing and reporting on budget management and expense forecasts. 

 

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), and reference checking. All qualifications must be met. 

Knowledge

• Intermediate / advanced knowledge in Excel (e.g. use of formulas, pivot tables, reports etc.)  
• Knowledge of the Mexican Institute of Social Security (IMSS) calculations, use of platform, regulations, payments. 

Abilities 

• Ability to produce, analyse and report on budget management and expense forecasts 
• Ability to apply compensation and benefits principles, policies and legislation. 
• Ability to calculate payroll (e.g. pay and benefits, leave, deductions, reconciliations, etc.) 

Competencies 

• Judgement and Discretion 
• Effective interactive communication (oral and written in the essential languages) 
• Thinking things through 
• Focus on quality and details 
• Initiative and action orientation  
• Resilience and adaptability 
• Working with others 

Click here for a brief description of each competency 

 

Asset Qualifications 

Preference may be given to candidates who meet one or more of the Asset Qualifications. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their application and as required, during the selection process, how they meet any of the following asset qualifications: 

• Experience working for a diplomatic mission or an international organization (e.g., Embassy, UN, World Bank, UNESCO, and similar).   
• Experience using SAP or similar software (e.g. pulling reports, inputting transactions, etc.) 
• Experience working with local platforms (e.g. Infonavit, SUA) 
• Intermediate written and spoken proficiency in French AND English (similar to B1 or higher in the CEFR)  

 

Operational Requirements 

• Willingness to work overtime, often on short notice (including evenings and weekends).  
• The Embassy of Canada is an office-based work environment which does not offer remote or hybrid work arrangements. 
• Willingness and ability to work in a combination of Mexican and Canadian statutory holidays, which means you will be required to work on certain Mexican holidays.   

 

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. 

• Hold a valid work authorization covering the entire employment period   
• Security screening: Obtain a Reliability Status (security level) from the Government of Canada, which includes a criminal and credit background check (will be started once the staffing process is completed and may take ~4 weeks). 

 

Important Notes 

• Only applications submitted in one of the official languages of Canada will be accepted (English or French). 
• Applicants may ask to be assessed in the official language of their choice, however, some assessments may only be conducted in Spanish since candidates have to demonstrate they meet each essential qualification to be eligible for an appointment. 
• 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 will be sought for candidates who are successful in all of the assessments. 
• 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-MXICO@international.gc.ca to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. 
• 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. 
• The tentative start date of this position is August 2025; however, some delays may occur during this selection process.