Senior Advisor, Political and Economic Affairs Section

 

Summary of Duties:

Under the general direction of the Program Manager for Political and Economic Affairs, the Senior Advisor for Political and Congressional Affairs is responsible for:  

• Identifying and analyzing issues relevant to domestic political, economic and legislative developments, governance and foreign policy issues in Brazil to inform and advise senior management at the Embassy and headquarters.  
• Drafting strategic and succinct reports on the above issues, as well as relevant briefing material for senior officials and staff visiting Brazil.  
• Identifying needs and opportunities for research, programming and advocacy events to support Canadian objectives with respect to political and economic developments in Brazil.  
• Planning and carrying out advocacy events, outreach strategies and other initiatives to promote Canadian objectives and interests.
• Strengthening and coordinating relations between the Embassy and legislative bodies in Brazil and Canada.  
• Developing and maintaining a strong network of contacts in the above related fields.
• Performing other duties as required / appropriate.

 

Area of selection/Eligibility:

This position is open to:

• General public who meet all the essential requirements and who currently reside in Brazil and possess the right to work in Brazil, including non-nationals. 

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Brazil does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly; and does not reimburse any travel costs to and from interviews/exams nor does it reimburse any relocation costs.

How to Apply

Only candidates who follow the steps below will proceed to 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.
• Applications which do not include all the requested documents or information and/or which are not received by the closing date will be rejected.
• You must clearly demonstrate in answering the screening questions how you meet the qualifications of the vacancy. You must provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the qualification in each question box. The Government of Canada cannot make any assumptions about your studies nor experience. No additional information will be sought beyond what you submit in your online application.
• When you apply for the position, you must use a personal e-mail address (not corporate or educational e-mail).
• Candidates must provide an email address that accepts email from unknown users and regularly check their email, including spam folder.
• 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.
• Do not include personal data such as: age, date of birth, gender, marital status, family status, religion, or a picture in your application form. Only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested below.
• 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 to save 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 will be required to provide proof of the completion of their education.

• University degree related to the position from a legally registered university (degree in political affairs, international affairs or similar). 

Language:

• Advanced (similar to C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference – CEFR) written and spoken proficiency in English and/or French.
• Advanced (similar to C1 in the Common European Framework of Reference – CEFR) written and spoken proficiency in Portuguese. 

*Languages proficiency will be assessed.

Experience:

• Significant* recent** experience in analyzing political and/or congressional issues in Brazil, providing policy recommendations and drafting detailed reports.  
• Experience and knowledge dealing at a high level with the Brazilian Congress, political parties, and government institutions and in developing and maintaining a wide network of contacts.

*Significant is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally obtained during the course of at least five years of work in a similar role.  

**Recent is defined as within the last 7 years.  

Rated qualifications 

The Rated Requirements are part of the essential qualifications and are related 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. All qualifications must be met.

Knowledge:

• In depth knowledge of key political issues and institutions in Brazil including the country’s foreign policy and economic priorities.  
• Knowledge of Canada’s foreign policy and economic priorities.  

Competencies:

• Professional and personal integrity  
• Strong Networking/Alliance Building
• Sound judgement  
• Teamwork and Cooperation  
• Adaptability and flexibility  
• Excellent management and organizational abilities 

Skills:

• Excellent communication skills with a demonstrated ability to communicate strategically and succinctly both orally and in writing in a professional setting in Portuguese and one of Canada’s Official Languages (English or French).  
• Ability to effectively plan, manage and coordinate activities and events in a team-based environment.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and ability to take initiative and leadership roles.  

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.

• A master’s degree or higher in a subject area related to the duties of the position (I.e. political science, international studies, economics, etc.)  
• Knowledge of the Canadian political and parliamentary system.  
• Ability to speak and read in the second official language of Canada (English or French)  
• Previous experience working for a Diplomatic Mission, international organization or other similar institution.  

Operational Requirements:

• Work schedule is subject to changes and overtime is required at various times during the year.
• Availability to travel inside and outside the country, for attending events, field visits, training courses, etc. 

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: 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.

 

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/French and Portuguese.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Brazil 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.
• The tentative start date of this position is January 2027; however, some delays may occur during this selection process.

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.