Director International Trade Policy and Negotiations

Role Responsibilities

The Trade Policy Unit is responsible for leading the Government of Alberta's engagement in the negotiation, implementation, and ongoing management of international trade and investment agreements; international trade and investment disputes; and other international trade policy issues.  This work is informed by the existing and evolving international trade architecture, which includes the World Trade Organization and other bilateral or regional international agreements and initiatives (e.g., the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).  
 
The Director is responsible for providing leadership and direction on international trade policy initiatives. The position coordinates the efforts of the International Trade Policy Unit and leads Alberta's engagement in interdepartmental, Canadian intergovernmental and international discussions pertaining to international trade policy issues. The focus of this position is to ensure the Government of Alberta's international trade policy objectives are met and that the priorities of the government are represented and advanced within Canada and internationally. This position requires a candidate with a strong background in international trade policy, who is able to coordinate a team, effectively identify and communicate Alberta’s priorities and interests and to clearly and accurately brief senior officials and elected officials on key trade issues.  
 
This work contributes to the development of a stable, transparent, rules-based international trade and investment regime, which supports departmental priorities related to export growth, the promotion of trade, and the facilitation of inward investment.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies: https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

To effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the Director International Trade Policy and Negotiations, the following competencies are essential:

• Creative Problem Solving: The position oversees Unit engagement on international trade policy negotiations, issues and disputes that are typically initiated outside of the GOA, as well as the development of GOA responses/approaches that address provincial priorities in a complex intergovernmental/consensus environment.
• Drive for Results: The position promotes and asserts the GOA's interests in trade negotiations, issues and disputes, seeking outcomes that meet Alberta's economic, regulatory, and political interests and priorities.  
• Systems Thinking: The position develops negotiating and other trade strategies that take into account the political environment, government mandates, and the larger international, national and provincial policy context and how it affects Alberta trade policy interests, as well as the impact of current choices on future policy decisions.  
• Build Collaborative Environments: The position engages in collaborative interdepartmental outreach to identify and assess diverse trade policy issues, priorities, and implications. It develops consolidated GOA positions and responses based on this engagement, taking into account government mandates and directives and economic and legal/legislative assessment.
• Deveolop Self and Others: The position oversees a technically complex suite of issues and prioritizes skills development and training within the Unit, with the objective of building strong overall technical capacity and promoting individual and team professional growth.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards 

• University degree in Law or related areas such as Business, Economics and Political Science, with 6 years of related experience required; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

For application consideration, you must attach a cover letter explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.

The following knowledge, skills or experiences are considered as assets:

• Experience with international trade policy concepts and agreements.
• Broad, in depth understanding of policy and legislation, trends and issues relative to international trade including dispute resolution processes.
• Experience in managing complex negotiations and finding consensus among diverse positions.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain collaborative working relationships within the division, across government, and with stakeholders.
• Experience in facilitating effective reciprocal dialogue and information exchange with clients and stakeholders.
• Record of demonstrating political judgment and an ability to craft policy and messaging that is in line with government priorities.
• Able to confront and resolve disagreement and conflict in a professional manner.
• Ability to negotiate innovative solutions to complex and diverse issues.
• Exceptional verbal, written, listening and interpersonal skills.
• Team builder with commitment to create, support, and sustain an environment that enables staff to achieve results and develop and build organizational capacity for the future.
• Creation and communication of policy and policy recommendations.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Additional Position Details:

• This is a permanent full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
• Working location will be Edmonton, Alberta.

Recruitment Process:

• Candidates are required to submit resume and cover letter that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It’s important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role’s qualifications and needs.
• Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing attention to detail skills.
• The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, may need to provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.