Senior Trade Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Senior Trade Advisor is someone who has experience working with Alberta exporting companies and has skills in market analysis and trade diversification. You are someone who understands Alberta’s business environment and can dig through trade data, and dive deep into new markets and identify opportunities for Alberta’s businesses.

In your role as the Senior Trade Advisor, you will: 

•Use your strong understanding of economic and/or trade strategies developed in international markets and lead the assessment of their implications on Alberta exports.
•Work with the Trade Data Assessment unit and lead international trade data analysis in support of Alberta's trade activities. 

•Identify sources of industry-specific data (industry associations, trade organizations, academic institutions) for consideration and use in trade related materials and to strengthen intergovernmental initiatives.

•Prepare and provide input and advice for briefings, presentations and reports; identify issues and potential policy responses; provide perspective and alignment with strategic priorities on various issues; support the policy activities of other units in the department; provide strategic advice to the Minister and other senior leaders as required.

•Leverage your strong understanding of Alberta's business environment, market insights and trend analysis to propose strategies to advance Alberta trade priorities through collaboration with other jurisdictions.

•Identify, compile, and analyze inputs from cross-government partners on trade related issues and identify and assess policy gaps and opportunities for briefings, presentations, etc. for senior officials.

•Provide advice and support on division activities requiring an intergovernmental and international trade perspective and incorporate knowledge of international strategies which may impact Alberta's exporting companies.
•Work across the Trade division to understand trade mission achievements and ecosystem involvement with Alberta's various trading partners to better inform materials developed for senior officials.

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: Research and analyses complex systems and issues and has the ability to communicate difficult concepts to audiences. Has the Ability to look at different pieces of information which may relate to an issue and ask probing questions to gain greater clarity and identify ways to synthesize information, and data to present a coherent narrative in issues briefings.

Systems Thinking: Has a strong understanding of the international trade ecosystem and gathers and synthesizes information to present one coherent perspective for senior officials on issues and opportunities. Will understand the variety of perspectives from various jurisdictions and consider a broader scope beyond the province of Alberta.

Agility: Will work within a continuously changing economic and political environment and will be committed to continuous understanding of the environment in which Alberta's international trade systems operates.

Drive for Results: Will continuously work within an interdependent and complex political and economic environment with short timelines for project completion and unexpected deliverables. Must develop and leverage relationships within the unit and beyond to support well informed, clearly communicated information products.

Qualifications

University graduation degree (Economics, Finance, Business) or in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

For your application to be considered, a cover letter explaining your qualification and suitability for this role must be attached with your application.

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

The following knowledge or experiences are considered as assets:

•    A strong understanding of Alberta’s exporting industries including familiarity with dependencies across GoA, Alberta stakeholder organizations, and federal Ministries.
•    Strong data and analysis skills
•    Excellent writing and communication skills
•    Strong knowledge of GoA policy development, government structures, operations and decision-making process.
•    Ability to facilitate problem solving and support decision-making.
•    Ability to develop effective cross-Ministry and cross-GOA working relationships.
•    Well developed project management skills.
•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including; clear and concise writing ability, strong listening skills, strong public speaking and presentation skills, work effectively in team environments, strong interpersonal and networking skills, diplomatic and professional, ability to anticipate and develop strong understanding of the needs of executive level decision-makers, ability to effectively gather, integrate and interpret multi-faceted information from a range of sources and perspectives.

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This a permanent position. The working days are Monday – Friday, 36.25 hours/week. A cover letter is mandatory.  

Other examples of information that could be included:

•If a security screening is required;
•Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
•(Optional: 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.)

If temporary assignments or under-fills will be considered;
•    Northern Allowance.
•    Shift work.
•    Travel; etc.

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.

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.
•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.
•Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
•Leadership and mentorship programs.