Senior Trade Officer (Agriculture and Agri-food sectors)

Selection Process Nº: 192396-6

Salary: MXN 940,437 per year before taxes (fixed salary, subject to annual increments) + competitive benefits package

Contract Type: Indeterminate, Full time (37.5 hours per week)

Term Details: This position is a Locally Engaged Staff position, subject to the Terms and Conditions of Employment for LES in Mexico.

Job Function: Officer

Classification: LE-O2

Location: Consulate General of Canada in Monterrey (onsite)

Number of Vacancies: One (1), however, 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 Mexico which might arise following the completion of this selection process.

Closing date for application: 22 October, 2024 at 23:59 (Eastern Time, CANADA Time Zone)

Please use an online "time zone converter" to identify the specific closing hour in your country. 

 

Please consider that our application form has several pages to be filled, therefore, please take the time to complete it and correctly submit your application within the deadline 

 

Summary of Duties: 

As a Senior Trade Officer in the dynamic agriculture and agri-food sectors, you'll play a pivotal role in advancing and expanding Canada’s trade opportunities. Your key responsibilities will include: 

  • Provides strategic market advice and related services to enhance the export and import of agricultural / agri-food products from Canadian organizations, identifying and capitalizing on new market opportunities.
  • Foster and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, trade associations, and international partners, to promote bilateral trade and collaboration.
  • Conduct in-depth market research and analysis to identify trends, risks, and opportunities, providing actionable insights to drive informed decision-making.
  • Ensure adherence to international trade regulations and standards, guiding compliance with both domestic and foreign agricultural policies.
  • Advocate for agricultural / agri-food products through trade shows, exhibitions, and promotional campaigns, enhancing market visibility and competitiveness.
  • Monitor trade performance and prepare comprehensive reports, recommending adjustments to strategies based on performance data and market conditions. 

In this role, you'll leverage your expertise to navigate the complexities of global trade, driving growth and innovation in the agriculture industry. 

 

Area of selection/Eligibility: 

This position is open to any person currently residing* and legally able to work in Mexico (or who can get a work permit by their own means before an appointment).  

*If you do not currently reside in Monterrey, please note that you will have to relocate at your own expense.   

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Mexico 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. 

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. 

 

How to Apply 

Only candidates who follow the steps below will proceed into 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.
  • When you apply for the position, you must use a personal e-mail address (not a corporate or educational e-mail). 
  • Do not include personal data such as: age, date of birth, gender, marital status, family status, religion or a picture in your application form nor CV. Please only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the job poster.
  • You must provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained and meet the experience and education factors listed in the essential qualifications.  The Embassy of Canada will not seek additional information nor make any assumptions about your studies nor experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing your current duties will not be sufficient and may result in your application being rejected.
  • Candidates must upload a CV in English or French. This document may be used as a secondary source to validate the answers to the screening questions. Applications which do not include all the requested documents, that fail to properly answer the screening questions, and/or not completed by the closing date will be rejected.
  • 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 for saving 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 must have finished their university studies at a legally registered institution.
  • Candidates must provide proof* of the completion of their education.  

*Valid documents include: “titulo”, “cedula”, or an academic record/official letter confirming that 100% of university courses have been completed 

 

Language: 

 

Experience: 

Minimum 5 years of recent* experience working for a private or public organization in international business development and/or foreign direct investment promotion 

  • Experience in providing analytical and strategic advice and support to clients; 
  • Experience in researching and analyzing business trends and/or industry policies; and  
  • Experience in preparing briefing materials or written reports to management and/or clients on business issues 

*Recent is defined from September 2014 onwards 

 

Rated qualifications  

The Rated Requirements are part of the essential qualifications and relate 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), and reference checking. All qualifications must be met. 

 

Knowledge: 

  • Knowledge of Mexico’s business climate, especially as it relates to market access for foreign companies;  
  • Knowledge of current trends and practices in business and the agricultural and agri-food sector; and  
  • Knowledge of project and/or event management and promotional techniques.
  • Knowledge of marketing tools, databases, and innovative platforms (e.g. CRM platforms, O365, etc.)    

 

Competencies 

  • Judgement and Discretion
  • Effective interactive communication (oral and written in the essential languages)
  • Strategic thinking and Decision Making
  • Resilience and Adaptability
  • Client Orientation
  • Initiative and Action Orientation (including the ability to generate new business opportunities)
  • Networking and Alliance Building
  • Working with Others and Horizontal Leadership 

Click here for a brief description of each competency 

 

Asset Qualifications 

Preference may be given to candidates who meet one or more of the Asset Qualifications. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their application and, as required, during the selection process, how they meet any of the following asset qualifications: 

  • Intermediate (similar to B2 in the CEFR) written and spoken proficiency in French. 
  • Previous experience working in a diplomatic mission, international organization, foreign private company or similar. 
  • Knowledge of and/or experience working in the agriculture and agri-food sector including Primary agriculture, Food and beverage processors, Food retailers and wholesalers, foodservice providers and agricultural technologies.  
  • Experience working in Canada / with Canadian clients. 

 

Operational Requirements 

  • Willingness for occasional overtime outside normal working hours (i.e., evenings and weekends)
  • Availability to travel occasionally (national and international) 
  • Willingness and ability to work in a combination of Mexican and Canadian statutory holidays, which means you will be required to work on certain Mexican holidays.  
  • The Consulate General an office-based work environment which does not offer remote or hybrid work arrangements. 

 

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. 

  • Hold a valid work authorization covering the entire employment period  
  • Security screening: Obtain a Reliability Status (security level) from the Government of Canada, which includes a criminal and credit background check (will be started once the staffing process is completed and may take ~4 weeks). 

 

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 and Spanish.
  • 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 are successful in 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.
  • 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 2025; however, some delays may occur during this selection process.