Senior Trade Officer

Summary of Duties:

The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is a worldwide network of professionals in international business development (IBD) working to advance Canadian commercial and economic interests abroad. Working in the Commercial section of the Embassy of Canada in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, under the general direction of the Senior Trade Commissioner, the incumbent is a Trade Commissioner (TC) contributing to the delivery of the Commercial Program at the Embassy. The TC acts in accordance with Government of Canada policies for international trade, investment, and science, technology and innovation, with the objective of helping Canadian clients advance their commercial interests abroad.

Major responsibilities of the TC include: providing high quality service to Canadian clients; proactively developing and maintaining a solid network of contacts in Ethiopia; promoting investment into Canada; preparing and disseminating market information to Canadian clients; initiating, organizing and managing promotional activities and trade delegations; as well as other international business development activities such as participation at trade shows and advocating for Canadian commercial interest. The TC’s primary focus is identifying and qualifying business opportunities for Canadian companies, and guiding them in the Ethiopian and Djibouti market.

The TC will have several primary sectors of responsibility from amongst the embassy´s priority sectors (for 2022-23, these include infrastructure, education, agriculture, clean technologies, mining and aerospace) and may have responsibilities for certain other secondary sectors. TCs are responsible for quantifiable performance indicators including quality and amount of services provided to TCS clients and the generation of leads in sales and investment. The position is a senior member of the Commercial section, and under the direction of the Senior Trade Commissioner, supports the Ambassador of Canada to Ethiopia, in advancing Canada’s priorities in Ethiopia and Djibouti.

Area of Selection:

This competition is open to all individuals who are eligible to work in Ethiopia, who meet all of the essential requirements stated below, and whose application file is received by the closing date.

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia 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 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.

• B.A or a License degree from a recognized university in a related field (e.g. business administration, commerce, management, economics, international business, international relations, etc.)

Language:

• Fluency in English (written and spoken).
• Fluency in French (written and spoken).
• Fluency in Amharic (written and spoken).

Experience:

• A minimum of five years of direct experience in business development, and in liaising with Ethiopian Government;
• A minimum of five years of experience in managing client and stakeholder relationships and in providing client service support to customers/clients;

• Minimum of five years’ relevant and significant experience working for an international or diplomatic organization;

• Experience in providing strategic advice, briefings, presentations, and written reports to management and clients on international business issues;
• Experience in project, event and visit management.

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 the Ethiopian business, political, and economic environment, more specifically:
  1. Knowledge of Ethiopian and Djibouti business capabilities and global industry trends and developments.
  2. Knowledge of Ethiopian government policies and programs, including trade, investment and innovation policies, programs and institutions, including local political and economic environment, business climate, government structure.
• Knowledge of the Canadian private sector, business, political, and economic environment.
• Knowledge of key stakeholders involved in Ethiopia’s commercial and economic situation (including non-governmental organizations, government institutions, international organizations, domestic/international companies, and investors).
• Knowledge of international business practices.

Competencies:

• Effective Interactive Communication – oral and written.
• Effective Team Work and Cooperation.

Abilities: 

• Ability to plan and organize workflow and coordinate information.
• Ability to work under pressure and prioritize accordingly with tight deadlines.
• Ability to network and develop contacts and relationships, both internal and external, to facilitate trade priorities or to gain support/cooperation.

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.

• Master level degree from a recognized university in a related field (e.g. business administration, commerce, economics, international business, international relations, etc.)

• Knowledge of Canadian and Ethiopian and Djibouti capabilities and trends in the infrastructure, education, agriculture, clean technologies, mining and aerospace.
• Knowledge of South Sudan, Eritrea and Sudan needs in terms of commercial gaps.
• Ability to identify and analyze client needs.
• Network of contacts relevant to international business development in Ethiopia and Djibouti.
• Working-level knowledge of Oromo and/or Somali and/or Tigrinya.

Operational Requirements:

• Must be willing and able to travel within Ethiopia, Africa and internationally.
• Must be able to work planned overtime and on occasion, unplanned overtime on short notice.
• Must be available for occasional duties outside normal working hours (i.e., evenings and weekends).
• Hours of work: Monday to Thursday, 08h to 17h (8.25 hours per day), Friday 08h to 12h30, 4.5 hours per day (37.5 hours per week).
• Annual leave may be restricted during busy periods due to operational requirements.

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.

– Vaccination compliance: All new hires on or after the effective date of October 6, 2021 are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment and to attest that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to their starting date unless accommodation measures are granted.

Other conditions of employment:

• The appointment of the successful candidate is subject to obtaining Government of Canada Reliability Status. The candidate will be required to provide some or all of the following documents:
  • Police/criminal record certificate
  • Credit check
  • Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (if applicable)
  • Birth Certificate
  • 2 X recent passport photos
  • Certificate (s) of employment/letter (s) and references
  • School certificates/diplomas (must be legalized if not Canadian diplomas)
  • Contact details in case of emergencies

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 may be required to upload a CV and/or 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 whose 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-BRLIN@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 and 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 who succeeded all of the assessments.
• Please note that the Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia 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-BRLIN@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 openings at the Embassy of Canada to Ethiopia 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.