Program Officer, supporting the Québec Government Representative within the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO in Paris 

Summary of Duties:

Under the supervision of the Québec government Representative within the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO (hereafter mentioned as «Representative») and in collaboration with the UNESCO affairs team at the Québec Ministry of International Relations and La Francophonie, the incumbent supports the Representative in the implementation of his or her mandate.  The incumbent is considered a member of the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO (hereafter mentioned as the «Permanent Delegation of Canada») and works in close collaboration with its members, and more particularly with the Deputy Permanent Delegate and the Senior Program Officer.

More specifically, the incumbent will:

• Contribute, on a daily basis, to the harmonious implementation of the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of Québec concerning UNESCO.
• Participate in the development and consolidation of Government of Québec’s network.
• Promote the interests, expertise and good practices of Québec in UNESCO's fields of competence.
• Identify possible avenues of collaboration with UNESCO and take advantage of outreach opportunities for Québec, in line with the general orientation of Canada's foreign policy.
• Conduct research and analysis necessary to support the Representative's reflection and decision-making, contributing to their recommendations to the Québec authorities. 

 

Area of Selection:

This position is open to candidates who have the right to reside in France and the right to work there legally on a permanent basis as an employee at the moment of their application, and who meet all the prerequisites i.e. all the essential qualifications and any asset qualifications and whose applications are received by the closing date.

Please note that the Permanent Delegation of Canada to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 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.

• • • University degree (equivalent to French baccalauréat + 5, or Master) in International Relations, Political Sciences, Education, Culture, Science, Law or any other relevant discipline. 

Language:

• • • Excellent knowledge of French (both written and spoken).
    • Good knowledge of English (both spoken and written). 

Experience:

• • • A minimum of 5 years of working experience in a field relevant to the position*.
    • Experience in providing strategic advice and analysis to government bodies, public institutions or non-governmental organizations.

* International Relations, Political Sciences, Education, Culture, Science, Law are fields relevant to this position (non-exhaustive). 

 

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:

• • • Very good knowledge of Québec (history, politics, economy and culture).
    • Comprehension of and interest in international relations.
    • Knowledge of the UN system and, more specifically, of UNESCO’s mandate.
    • Knowledge of the particularities of a federal state and the division of competences. 

Competencies:

• • • Autonomy, resilience and adaptability.
    • Judgment and discretion.
    • Analytical skills and the ability to synthesize information.
    • Working with others and horizontal leadership.

Abilities:

• • • Ability to play an advisory role.
    • Ability to identify opportunities for visibility and collaboration.
    • Ability to organize visits and events in the context of established protocols.
    • Ability to develop and sustain partner relationships.

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.

• • • Working experience in the public sector (government, diplomatic mission, international organization or nongovernmental organization).
    • Knowledge of the Government of Québec apparatus and how it functions.
    • Knowledge of other United Nations official languages (Spanish, Chinese, Russian or Arabic). 

Operational Requirements:

• • • Full-time position.
    • Working hours: from Monday to Friday from 09:00 until 12:30 and from 13:30 until 17:30.
    • Overtime work when required.
    • Capability to travel when needed.
    • Open space working environment. 

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.

 

Special Request from Mission / Additional Comments:

To access and participate in the process, candidates must provide parishumanresources-ressourceshumaines@international.gc.ca with the following documents:

• A copy of diploma(s) (see Education section).
• A copy of passeport(s) and national identity card and/or residence permit, if applicable, authorizing permanent employment in France as an employee (see Area of Selection section above). 

 

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 be conducted in French.
• 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 Permanent Delegation of Canada to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization 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 Permanent Delegation of Canada to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization which might arise following the completion of this selection process.
• Please note that Canadian citizens working at the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO in France are considered as fiscal non-residents and must pay their income taxes in Canada and their social security contributions in France. It is the candidate's responsibility, and not the Delegation, to inquire with the Canadian Revenue Agency and the appropriate French authorities about any possible fiscal incidence of a position with the Permanent Delegation of Canada to UNESCO in France.