Senior Trade Development Officer

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Posting Date: May 26, 2023

Location: Edmonton, AB

Company: Government of Alberta

Job Information

Job Title: Senior Trade Development Officer 

Job Requisition ID: 42337

Ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation

Location: Edmonton (Will consider Airdrie)

Full or Part-Time: Full Time

Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week

Regular/Temporary: Permanent 

Scope: Open Competition

Closing Date: June 2, 2023

Classification: Subsidiary 02B 3625 Program Services 4 Market Adjustment

About Us

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for the policies, legislation, regulations, programs, and services that enable Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors to flourish and contribute to Alberta’s economic recovery and growth. The ministry’s role is diverse, ranging from food safety and industry growth and diversification to increasing investment and supporting growth in rural Alberta. The ministry also supports foundational programs like irrigation and agricultural societies that help create strong rural communities and resilient agriculture sectors. For more information about the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation please visit our website at: https://www.alberta.ca/agriculture-and-irrigation.aspx 

The Trade, Investment and Food Safety Division expands and diversifies Alberta’s food and bio-product manufacturing sector in local and global markets while also providing effective food safety assurance systems. 

The Export and Investment Branch focuses on attracting investment to Alberta’s agri-processing sectors and expanding export opportunities for Alberta’s businesses. The Branch also designs and delivers Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership funding programs related to growth and value added development, and provides performance measurement and program evaluation services for the Division.

The Export Development and Industry Grants Section consists of two units: Export Development Unit and Industry Programs Unit. The Export Development team consists of six Senior Trade Development Officers responsible of priority export markets, and two International Initiatives Officers. The team works closely with our seven agriculture-dedicated staff in the Alberta International Offices in Beijing, Seoul, Tokyo, New Delhi, Mexico City, Minneapolis, and Düsseldorf. 

The Export Development Unit deliver specialized service to support Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sector to prepare for and enter new markets and expand sales in current markets.  These services include a blend of expertise, market research, assistance in navigating market entry, business-to-business introductions, and opportunities to profile Alberta’s agriculture and value-added agriculture industry.

Role

The ideal candidate is organized, can handle many diverse opportunities at once, and is unfazed by the need to meet changing and tight deadlines. You possess exceptional attention to detail, and strong interpersonal communication skills - both written and oral. You are driven to close a deal when stakes are high. 

Reporting to the Export Development Unit manager, the Senior Trade Development Officer – South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East establishes and maintains specialized market knowledge, export information and contacts in the domestic and international marketplace to act as a resource to industry, government and stakeholders to facilitate export growth.

The Senior Trade Development Officer will lead the planning and implementation of market readiness and export development activities to maintain and increase Alberta’s market share of agriculture and agri-food products in South and Southeast Asia, as well as the Middle East. Key performance metrics for the position are the number of Alberta companies prepared to enter and expand exports into these markets. 

The position works in coordination with the agriculture-dedicated staff in the Alberta International Offices network to support the market entry and expansion of Alberta agriculture and value-added products in key markets.

Primary duties include:

  • Analyze and interpret trade data and market information.
  • Assess industry information needs and capabilities through individual consultations.
  • Develop and present strategic market information to industry through individual consultation, electronic and print tools as deemed appropriate.
  • Develops and executes customized, results-oriented projects and initiatives related to market readiness and export development  
  • Identify and communicate relevant international market issues/opportunities to clients and help in solving problems on market entry, licensing, product registration, etc.
  • Leverage the unique economic drivers and consumer behaviours in these international markets for project planning.
  • Focus on the higher end value-added unique Alberta food products to diversify agri-food products exports to capitalize on regional consumer preferences and buyer requirements.
  • Focus on niche markets and growing channels to capitalize on opportunities for Alberta agriculture and agri-food products (i.e. commodities, intermediate and value added products). 
  • Build a network of contacts including trade commissioners, Alberta trade officers internationally, buyers, politicians, government officials, consultants, and technical specialists, both in foreign markets and within Canada.
  • Profile Alberta in international markets and interact with international contacts (often at a senior level) for the purpose of information gathering, opportunity identification and business matchmaking. 


If you are up for the challenge and want to be part of an exciting team in Agriculture and Irrigation, you will want to consider this opportunity!

Qualifications

University Degree in related field, preferably in commerce, international business, international relations, political science, business administration, marketing or economics and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively related work experience is required; 

Additional Requirements:

  • Relevant work experience with businesses in developing export and marketing strategies, and international government relations and/or industry relations.
  • Proficient in project management, possessing strong skills in planning, organizing, and executing projects successfully.
  • Demonstrated ability in concise and effective writing, with experience in preparing informative and well-structured briefings. 


Equivalencies maybe considered - 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

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/assets/documents/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf

The successful candidate will demonstrate the following APS Competencies:

  • Agility: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities and work effectively in a changing environment
  • Drive for Results: Anticipate important outcomes while maximizing resources to achieve results aligned with the organization's goals and mission while remaining accountable to the Government of Alberta and external stakeholders.
  • Develop Networks: Ability to proactively build networks, connect, and develop trust in relationships with different government and non-government stakeholders
  • Systems Thinking: Ability to understand how decisions impact other areas within the organization
  • Creative Problem Solving: Develop solutions to solve complex problems while balancing the development, conservation, and use of resources

Salary

$2,716.64 to $3,550.90 bi-weekly ($70,904 - $92,678 /year)

Notes

Position Information: 

Hours of Work
36.25 hours per week (full time)
Evening and weekend work is sometimes required

Location

  • Office located in Edmonton
    • This position reports to the Edmonton unit, but operation out of Agriculture and Irrigation offices in Airdrie will be considered as capacity allows


Travel: 20-30% - valid driver’s license & passport is required for travel (Canada/internationally)

Other Application Information:

  • A cover letter is required.
  • Final candidates will be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities after interviews.


In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. As well, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

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. 

What We Offer:

How To Apply

Click “Apply” button.


Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/navigating-online-jobs-application.aspx to learn more about creating a candidate profile and other tips for the Government of Alberta’s online application system.


If you are not currently an employee with the Government of Alberta, the first step in applying for a job is creating your candidate profile within our online application system, click here to access the main log in page where you are able to ‘Create an account’, reset your password (‘Forgot your password’) or ‘Sign In’ should you already have an account.


Existing employees should access the Career tile in 1GX to submit their application in order to be recognized as an internal applicant.


Once you have created your candidate profile, visit the Alberta Public Service job site to apply for jobs at https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-jobs.aspx


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.


Resources for applicants:

 


It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.

 

Closing Statement

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.


We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.


If you require any further information on this job posting or a copy of the role profile, and/or require a disability related accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Karen Jackman at Karen.Jackman@gov.ab.ca.


If this competition is closed as per the closing date noted above, please continue to check http://www.jobs.alberta.ca for a listing of current career opportunities with the Government of Alberta.