Senior Political-economic Officer

 

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

Under the supervision and direction of the Head of Mission of the Canadian Embassy in Benin, the Senior Public, Political and Economic Affairs Officer supports the promotion of Canada's interests and advocacy priorities by:

• acquiring and maintaining through various sources of information, an up-to-date awareness of political, economic, and social developments in Benin.
• identifying ongoing and emerging key political, economic and social developments in Benin and writing and/or providing substantive input and in-depth analysis to reports that link their significance to Canada's foreign policy priorities.
• offering strategic insight and making recommendations on key target audiences for advocacy.
• Providing advice and recommendations on business opportunities for Canadian companies in Benin, serving as a focal point in support of Canada Trade Commissioner Services.
• writing and/or editing reports on strategic issues, events and visits from the political, economic and trade sections;
• establishing and maintaining networks of relationships in line with the Mission's priorities and activities, including networks with government officials, non-governmental contacts, diplomatic missions, Canadian and Beninese companies and other stakeholders.
• assisting in the development, planning and execution of promotional events of interest (e.g. events hosted by the Mission, workshops, information days on business opportunities, etc.);
• contributing to priority setting and cross-program objectives and to the drafting of strategic plans for Political-economic initiatives, taking into account budgetary and financial dimensions, and by contributing to the preparation of evidence-based reports to evaluate results.
• supporting the development, implementation, and the monitoring of results of the Embassy's social media strategy/global communications strategy, preparing content for social media posts, ensuring effective communication in Benin.
• monitoring the implementation of the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives program in Benin and projects/initiatives financed by funding mechanisms under the Political-economic and Trade programs.
• writing reports on Benin's business environment.
• performing other tasks as required. 

 

AREA OF SELECTION

This position is open to candidates who have the right to reside and work in Benin as an employee on a permanent basis as well as to all employees of the mission occupying an indeterminate or determined position and to employees hired in emergency situations, who have all the essential qualifications and whose applications are received before the closing date.

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Benin 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 on merit regardless of ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or other factor. 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

All essential qualifications will be assessed. Methods of assessments and screening of candidates may include but are not limited to: verification of credentials, resume and letters of presentation; interviews, exams and practical tests; presentations or other types of assessments.

Education

This position requires:

• • • Master's degree from a recognized university in a field related to the position, including but not limited to: political science, economics, management science, business administration, international trade, law, public relations, international relations, communications, journalism.

Note: Candidates will be required to provide proof of their education.

Language

The Following languages and proficiency levels are required for this job. Candidates will be formally assessed or requested to provide proof of certification at these levels.

• • • An advanced proficiency level (reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking) in English.
    • An advanced proficiency level (reading, writing, comprehension, and speaking) in French.

Experience

In order to perform the duties relevant to this job, the following experience is required.

• • • Five (5) years of professional experience within the last 10 years in research, analysis, writing of high-quality reports, briefings and presentations, as well as providing recommendations and advice in a professional setting.
    • Five (5) years' professional experience within the last 10 years in managing partnerships with governmental or non-governmental organizations (civil society and private sector), multilateral institutions or donors, and private companies in Benin or abroad.
    • Two (2) years of professional experience within the last five (5) years in public affairs and communications (e.g. planning advocacy activities and campaigns, managing projects in the public, private or cultural sectors, collaborating with partners, media relations, producing and publishing content on social media).
    • Experience in implementing awareness-raising and/or cultural programs.

Competencies, Knowledge and Capacities

All competencies, knowledge and capacities will be assessed. All competencies, knowledge and capacities must be met prior to appointment.

• • • Knowledge of Benin's current political, economic and social landscape and dynamics.
    • Knowledge of key players and influencers on political, economic and social issues in Benin (including civil society, government institutions, international organizations, media, academia, business).
    • Knowledge of strategic communications and social media applications and strategies (virtual advocacy tools, including Twitter and Facebook).
    • Ability to research, evaluate and analyze information in order to write talking points, briefing material and analytical reports.
    • Focus on Quality and Detail.
    • Initiative and Action Oriented
    • Communication and Relations (Written Communications and (Oral Interaction)
    • Networking and Alliance Building
    • Teamwork and Leadership
    • Judgment and Discretion

*For more information on competencies: Competency Dictionary

 

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.

• Knowledge of Global Affairs Canada's mandate, policies, objectives and priorities.
• Previous experience in an international organization or diplomatic mission in a similar role.
• Previous experience in supporting companies in their international expansion.

 

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Operational requirements will be assessed on a “meet/does not meet” basis and can be used to determine right fit of a candidate for the position.

• Working Hours: The normal working hours for this position are in accordance with the terms and conditions of employment for locally engaged staff and are 37.5 hours per week.
• Overtime: The employee may be required to work overtime on an occasional basis, sometimes with short notice.
• Travel: This position may require occasional domestic and/or international travel.

 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Conditions of employment must be met or complied with before being appointed to a particular position. They are to be maintained throughout the employment period.

• 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.

 

HOW TO APPLY

Follow the below instructions to ensure your application can be considered.

• 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). Only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the above job poster.
• 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. Global Affairs Canada cannot make any assumptions about your studies nor 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 (or may not) be used as a secondary source to validate the answers to the screening questions.
• Applications which do not include all 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

Carefully review the following:

• Please note that the Embassy of Canada in Benin does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly.
• Only applications submitted in one of the official languages of Canada will be accepted (English or 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.
• Please note that the Embassy of Canada in Benin 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.
• 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 (a modification made to the standard assessment conditions, allowing individuals with disabilities to demonstrate their abilities on an assessment by removing barriers related to their specific needs). 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 in Benin,  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 Government of Canada has established a multiple step salary scale as well as Terms and Conditions tailored to each country’s local labor environment. The Government of Canada does not negotiate salaries. Competitive benefits in line with local practices for each country are also provided in the gross compensation package.