Senior Intergovernmental Officer

Role Responsibilities

Are you interested in contributing to Alberta’s international engagement and supporting high profile files involving senior officials, Ministers, and the Premier?

Executive Council is seeking a Senior Intergovernmental Officer to join the Europe and Africa team within the International Relations branch. This role supports Alberta’s engagement with European and African partners through research, policy analysis, stakeholder coordination, and strategic advice.

This is a hands-on role that combines strategic thinking with practical execution. One day you may be preparing advice for senior decision-makers on an emerging international issue; the next you may be coordinating a ministerial meeting, supporting an incoming delegation, organizing a stakeholder event, or troubleshooting last-minute logistical challenges. The successful candidate will enjoy balancing policy work with relationship management and event coordination and will be interested in developing their career in international relations through meaningful work on global files within the public service.

What You’ll Do

As a Senior Intergovernmental Officer, you will:

• Take ownership of assigned files, proactively identify issues or gaps, and bring forward options and recommendations without waiting for direction.
• Support and lead the planning and execution of international missions, delegation visits, meetings, and stakeholder events, ensuring seamless logistics, coordination, and delivery.
• Conduct research and analysis on political, economic, and policy developments related to Europe and Africa that are relevant to Alberta’s interests.
• Prepare briefing notes, speaking points, correspondence, and other materials for senior officials, Ministers, and MLAs.
• Build and maintain relationships with European and African government officials, Canadian federal and provincial counterparts, and Alberta ministries and agencies.
• Coordinate interdepartmental input and contribute to strategic presentations, jurisdictional briefings, and country papers.
• Monitor global developments and assess their potential implications for Alberta’s priorities. 

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.

Creative Problem Solving: You are able to assess options and implications to achieve positive outcomes and solutions. You identify intergovernmental challenges and propose solutions to advance a file. You are able to communicate the benefits of a solution and demonstrate how the solution meets the needs of a variety of stakeholders.

Develop Networks: You can proactively build networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders. You can quickly establish credibility and initiates relationships with a broad range of people in unfamiliar environments, and you can use your networks to identify opportunities, gather information, and seek input to problems.

Systems Thinking: You are adept at system thinking beyond your individual position and day to day responsibilities. You take a holistic approach to decision making conscious of long-term challenges and opportunities. You are able to provide thoughtful analysis that considers Alberta’s broader intergovernmental priorities.

Agility: You thrive in a dynamic environment, responding to emerging issues with sound judgment and strategic insight. You’re proactive in improving processes, adaptable to change, and remain composed under pressure. You seek input when needed and find creative solutions within established guidelines to support Alberta’s evolving international priorities.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

University graduation in a relevant field such as International Business, Political Science, International Relations, Communications, Public Administration, Public Policy, or a related field, plus a minimum of 4 years of related experience.

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

• One year of education for one year of experience; or
• One year of experience for one year of education.

What You Bring

• Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and a strong work ethic, with the ability to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative team environment.
• A related degree and a minimum of four years of experience in international relations, intergovernmental affairs, stakeholder relations, public policy, or a related field.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to distill complex information into clear, actionable advice for senior decision-makers.
• Strong research and analytical skills, with the ability to quickly understand new issues, identify implications for Alberta, and provide practical recommendations.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple high-priority files and deliver results under tight timelines.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build productive relationships with colleagues, stakeholders, and government partners from diverse backgrounds and jurisdictions.
• Political acuity and professionalism when working on sensitive issues involving senior officials, elected representatives, and international partners.
• Adaptability, resilience, and the ability to thrive in a dynamic environment where priorities can shift quickly and no two days are the same.
• Intellectual curiosity and a genuine interest in advancing Alberta's interests through international engagement.
• Experience planning and coordinating events, meetings, receptions, and official visits, including invitations, logistics, catering, seating plans, and stakeholder coordination.

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

This posting is for one (1) full time, permanent position.

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours/week

Location: Commerce Place Building, Downtown Edmonton.
Please note that this position requires full in office presence from Monday to Friday.

This position offers meaningful exposure to senior-level files and international engagement. Candidates should be motivated by responsibility, learning, and contributing beyond strictly defined tasks.

Include a cover letter in your application package. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be considered. Your cover letter should clearly demonstrate how your education, experience, and skills align with the qualifications and requirements of this position. In addition, please include a brief paragraph (approximately 150 words or less) responding to the following question:

Describe a current international issue, trend, or development that interests you and explain why it is relevant to Alberta.

Candidates may be asked to complete a written assessment.

The final candidate for this position will undergo an academic check, reference checks, and provide suitable security screening.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Please also indicate whether your work experience was part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Executive Director of Job Title (Full time)

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.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.