Senior Trade Officer (Agriculture, Agri-Food, and Ag Tech)

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta is seeking a Senior Trade Officer to join our dynamic and results-oriented international trade team of professionals responsible for promoting, advancing, and strengthening Canadian trade, innovation and investment interests in the United States. Working within a team of seven trade professionals, this officer is responsible for working with Canadian companies within the sectors of Agriculture and Agri-food, Fish & Seafood, and Ag-tech.  

The Senior Trade Officer works within the international business development team as part of the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service – a world‐wide network of professionals in international business development, with preferred access to business knowledge and contacts who are committed to advancing Canadian economic interests abroad, including investment attraction, driving exports, and innovation partnerships.   

Under the general direction of the Senior Trade Commissioner, the officer contributes to the successful delivery of the International Business Development program. The officer will support Canadian companies in the assigned industry sectors (Agriculture and Agri-food, Fish & Seafood, and Ag-tech) that are seeking to grow their business and strategically work with a rich local network of potential US customers, investors and partners. NOTE: The precise sectors covered by the officer may vary over time as local opportunities and Canadian capabilities change.   

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:  

• Developing, planning and implementing a business development program for Canadian clients (i.e. Canadian companies developing their global client base or seeking partnerships with companies and investors based in the U.S. Southeast, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama) that includes identifying business development opportunities, delivering strategic and high-touch services to Canadian clients, and tracking and reporting results;  
• Managing a budget, planning and delivering business development activities and events, supporting official visits from Canada and business delegations to Canada, and identifying and implementing opportunities for continuous program improvement; 
• Building and maintaining a strong network of diverse local contacts to support program objectives; including identifying mentors, subject-matter experts and potential clients, partners and investors;  
• Collaborating closely with Canadian stakeholders and partners, Consulate colleagues, headquarters and other Canadian diplomatic missions in the U.S. and around the world to support program delivery;  
• Conducting in-depth research and briefing materials from a wide range of sources to analyze trends in the market and matching the opportunities to capabilities in Canada;  
• Developing short- and long-term strategies to advance success of Canadian companies in the U.S. Southeast; and  
• Drafting content for social media and other marketing/promotional material.  

Please find a summary of our benefits package and information on employment eligibility at: Jobs at our offices in the United States. 

 

AREA OF SELECTION

This selection process is open to all interested and qualified applicants who are legally authorized to work in the United States. Candidates must reside in the Atlanta metropolitan area at the time of appointment.

Please note that the Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly and will not reimburse relocation costs under any circumstance. 

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:

• Bachelor’s degree or undergraduate diploma from a legally recognized post-secondary institution;

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 on these levels. 

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

 

Experience

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

• Minimum of five (5) years of cumulative experience in business development; 
• Experience developing and managing client and stakeholder relationships and providing client service support to customers/clients;
• Experience managing projects (including strategic planning, tracking/reporting results and budget management);
• Experience providing strategic advice, briefings, and written reports to management and/or clients on international business issues. 

 

Competencies

All competencies will be assessed. All competencies must be met prior to appointment.

• Knowledge of the factors that influence business in the United States generally, andin the Southeast in particular, and how those affect Canadian business interests, especially in the sector covered by the position.
• Knowledge of what small-medium-sized businesses consider when expanding into international markets; including venture capital investment, business plans, government regulations and talent acquisition.
• Knowledge of trends and recent developments in the agriculture, agri-food, and ag-tech sectors globally, in Canada and in the Southeast USA more specifically.
• Initiative and Action Oriented
• Networking and Alliance Building
• Working with Others and Horizontal Leadership
• Client Orientation
• Strategic Thinking and Decision Making
• Judgement and discretion 
• Written Communications 
• Oral Interaction
  

*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.

• Ability to fluently speak and write in French
• Master’s degree or graduate degree in a field related to the position
• Experience in one or more of the following sectors: agriculture, agri-food, and ag-tech.  

 

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.

• Hours of Work: Normal hours of work of work for this position are in accordance with Locally-Engaged Staff regulations of 37.5 hours per week.
• Location of work: This position currently offers a hybrid work schedule four (4) days on-site per week and one (1) day of remote work per week, subject to manager approval).   
• Occasional overtime, including evenings and weekends, may be required with advance notice.
• Travel Requirements: This position may require limited occasional travel domestically and-or internationally.

 

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-WSHDC@international.gc.ca prior to the closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being rejected.
• *If you are in a partially or fully qualified pool for a similar position with our mission, please include the process number and all relevant details in your application.

 

IMPORTANT NOTES

Carefully review the following:

• Please note that the Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta 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 Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta 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-WSHDC@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 Consulate General of Canada in Atlanta,  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.