Senior Commercial Officer, ONTARIO

Summary of Duties:

Situated in the heart of North America, the Province of Ontario is Canada’s economic engine. Ontario generates approximately 40% of Canada’s GDP and is home to nearly 40% of its population.

Ontario is:

• The birthplace of Artificial Intelligence research, home to global pioneers such as Geoffrey Hinton.
• Home to the second-largest tech cluster in North America (outside the Bay Area).
• Home to the largest automotive manufacturing cluster in North America.
• A global leader in aerospace, defence, advanced manufacturing, life sciences, and deep technology.
• The province where insulin was discovered and continues to drive medical innovation. 

The Government of Ontario operates a global network of Trade and Investment Offices (TIOs), co-located within Canadian diplomatic missions. These offices are mandated to strengthen commercial relations through:

1. Export Promotion
2. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Attraction
3. Research & Innovation Partnerships

The Ontario Trade and Investment Office in Mumbai advances Ontario’s commercial interests across India, with pan-India coverage and a strategic focus on South India (Karnataka, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh).

The Senior Commercial Officer (Ontario) is a locally engaged employee working closely with and reporting to the Head of Program (Ontario). The successful candidate will play a leadership role in planning, developing and delivering initiatives that advance Ontario’s trade and investment objectives in India.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Foreign Direct Investment Attraction

• Cultivate and manage a portfolio of senior-level Indian decision-makers (CEOs, CXOs, founders, investors).
• Identify and convert high-value investment leads into Ontario-based projects.
• Engage Indian firms in priority sectors including aerospace, defence, AI, deeptech, life sciences, and advanced manufacturing.
• Assess investor motivations, expansion drivers, regulatory considerations and strategic fit.

 

2. Export Promotion

• Identify opportunities for Ontario companies in India.
• Develop relationships with Indian buyers, distributors and industry partners.
• Provide market intelligence and strategic advice to Ontario exporters.

3. Strategic Partnerships

• Facilitate industry–academia–government collaboration.
• Support research, commercialization and innovation partnerships.
• Build linkages between Ontario’s ecosystem and India’s innovation hubs.

4. High-Level Engagements

• Plan and execute commercially focused visits by Ontario Ministers, senior officials, and business delegations.
• Coordinate engagements with Indian state governments, ministries, and industry associations.
• Prepare strategic briefing notes, speaking points and reports.

5. Intelligence & Advisory

• Monitor Indian economic, sectoral and regulatory trends.
• Provide strategic advice to Ontario leadership.
• Produce high-quality written reports and presentations.

Area of Selection:

This position is open to individuals who are currently residing & eligible to work in India, including all employees of the High Commission of Canada and Canadian missions in India, who meet all of the essential requirements stated below, and whose applications are received by the closing date. 

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in India.

The Consulate General of Canada in Mumbai does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly, nor does it pay for relocation of a new employee.

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.

• Bachelor’s or equivalent degree from a recognized university in a field related to the position, including but not limited to: management, commerce, finance, economics with 5 years of experience in the fields mentioned below.

OR

• Full-time Post Graduate Diploma or Master’s degree in a related field from a recognized college or university with 4 years of experience in fields mentioned below.

Language:

• Fluency in English (oral and written).

Experience:

Candidates with a bachelor’s or equivalent degree must have a minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience within the past seven (7) years in the areas mentioned below, 

OR

Candidates with PGDM or MBA must have four (4) years of relevant experience within the past seven (7) years in areas mentioned below.

• Progressive work experience in international business development, working with commercial, financial or government clients in international trade and/or investment promotion.
• Progressive work experience in developing and managing relationships with clients and stakeholders, including preparing for and conducting meetings with internal and external contacts.
• Experience in providing strategic advice, briefings, and written reports to management and/or clients on international business issues.

All candidates also need to meet the following experience requirements:

• At least two (2) years of experience in project management (including strategic planning, tracking/reporting results and budget management).
• Experience in the use of modern technology and social media platforms for business development and trade promotion.

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: 

• Knowledge of key factors influencing international expansion decision-making.
• Knowledge of India’s industrial and regulatory landscape.
• Strong understanding of South India’s business ecosystems and cultural dynamics.
• Knowledge of one or more Ontario's priority sectors (Aerospace, Defence, AI/Deep Tech, Advanced Manufacturing, and/or Life Sciences) in India.

Competencies:

• Networking and Alliance Building
• Strategic Thinking and Decision Making
• Initiative and Action Orientation
• Client Orientation
• Judgement and Discretion
• Intercultural Proficiency
• Written Communication
• Oral Interaction
• Planning

 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.

• Experience and expertise in one or more Ontario's priority sectors (Aerospace, Defence, AI/Deep Tech, Advanced Manufacturing and/or Life Sciences) in India
• Experience working/consulting with state governments in South India
• Experience supervising staff
• Familiarity with Canadian or North American markets 

Operational Requirements:

• Normal hours of work for this position are in accordance with the Locally Engaged Staff (LES) regulations of 37.50 hours per week. Hours of work: Monday-Thursday: 08:00 to 16:30, Friday: 08:00 to 13:30
• The successful candidate must be able to work overtime on short notice on occasion and be available for occasional duties outside normal working hours, i.e., evenings and weekends.
• The position will require travel within India and Canada as per business needs.
• The High Commission operates a schedule of public holidays according to a combination of Indian and Canadian dates, which means the successful candidate could be required to work on certain Indian public 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.

- 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:

• Candidates will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination.

 

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 are required to upload a CV and 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 CSDPIP.Candidates-CandidatesetCandidats.PPSCIP@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 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 High Commission of Canada in India 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 CSDPIP.Candidates-CandidatesetCandidats.PPSCIP@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 High Commission of Canada in India 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.