Trade and Investment Officer, BC

SUMMARY OF DUTIES

The Trade and Investment Officer is a locally-engaged employee of the Government of Canada representing the Province of British Columbia in South Korea and co-located in the Embassy of Canada. The position is required to help develop and implement strategies to increase trade and investment activity between British Columbia and Korea. Reporting to the Program Manager for the Province of British Columbia, the Trade and Investment Officer-British Columbia is based in the Embassy of Canada in Seoul. 

The Trade and Investment Officer is assigned business sectors and provides business services and advice to companies from British Columbia which are active in those sectors. The Trade and Investment Officer also refer business opportunities in South Korea to British Columbia clients.

The Trade and Investment Officer maintains a network of local business contacts, develops business plans for assigned sectors, plans and delivers events or other activities that promote British Columbia’s trade and investment priorities (for example, organizing delegations of British Columbia companies to Korean tradeshows and business matchmaking), manages budgets, and meets performance targets and outcomes.

The Trade and Investment Officer also acquires knowledge about the commercial and economic characteristics of the Korea market in their assigned sectors, which includes knowledge of: activities and interests of Korean companies; products, services and technology; business trends; regulations and government priorities; business processes and procedures; and import patterns.

AREA OF SELECTION

This selection process is open to all applicants, who are residing and legally authorized to work in South Korea, including Embassy employees, Canada-based staff spouses and their dependent children of at least 16 years of age, who meet all the essential qualifications and whose applications are received by the closing date.  

Please note that the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea 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 on merit regardless of ethnic origin, religious belief, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability or other factor. 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

All essential qualifications will be assessed. Methods of assessments and screening of candidates may include but are not limited to: verification of credentials, resume and letters of presentation; interviews, exams and practical tests; presentations or other types of assessments. 

Education

This position requires:

Note: Candidates will be required to provide proof of their education

Language

The Following languages and proficiency levels are required for this job. Candidates will be formally assessed or requested to provide proof of certification on these levels. 

Experience

In order to perform the duties relevant to this job, the following experience is required.

A minimum of three years’ experience in the following areas:

• Experience in international business development or foreign direct investment attraction
• Experience in supporting trade missions or foreign delegations
• Experience in managing multiple priorities with tight deadlines
• Experience in providing strategic advice, briefings, and written reports to management and/or clients on international business issues with research analysis.
• Experience in project management
• Experience in working with foreign companies
• Experience in working as part of a team and contributing to team objectives and outcomes

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of the factors that influence international business success
• Knowledge of the import/export trends and requirements between Canada and South Korea
• Knowledge of key economic sectors, businesses, opportunities, government, and ministries in South Korea

Abilities:

• Ability to communicate effectively in English and Korean, both orally and in writing. 
• Ability to secure, prepare for, conduct, and provide follow-up to business development meetings with exporters and investors. 
• Ability to establish and sustain a network of relationships beneficial to businesses and citizens of British Columbia.
• Ability to develop, plan and coordinate international trade events and business missions.

Competencies:

All competencies will be assessed. All competencies must be met prior to appointment. 

*For more information on competencies: Competency Dictionary

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.

• A minimum of five years’ experience in international business development and/or foreign direct investment attraction, especially in the Life Sciences, Infrastructure, Ocean and Marine, and Aerospace Industry
• Knowledge of British Columbia’s key economic sectors, businesses, geographic regions, economic strengths, and interests in South Korea

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Operational requirements will be assessed on a ``meet/does not meet`` basis and can be used to determine right fit of a candidate for the position.

• Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required.
• Must be available for occasional duties outside normal working hours (i.e., evenings and weekends).
• Working hours are 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, with a one-hour lunch break each day.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Conditions of employment must be met or complied with before being appointed to a particular position. They are to be maintained throughout the employment period.

• 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. 

HOW TO APPLY

Follow the below instructions to ensure your application can be considered. 

• 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). Only include information relevant to the vacancy as requested in the above job poster.
• You must clearly demonstrate in answering the screening questions how you meet the qualifications of the vacancy. You must provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the qualification in each question box. Global Affairs Canada cannot make any assumptions about your studies nor 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 (or may not) be used as a secondary source to validate the answers to the screening questions.
• Applications which do not include all the requested documents or information and/or which 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 CSDPIP.Candidates-CandidatesetCandidats.PPSCIP@international.gc.ca******@*******.*** prior to the closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being rejected.
• *If you are in a partially or fully qualified pool for a similar position with our mission, please include the process number and all relevant details in your application.

IMPORTANT NOTES

Carefully review the following:

• Please note that the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly.
• Only applications submitted in one of the official languages of Canada will be accepted (English or 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.
• Please note that the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea 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 CSDPIP.Candidates-CandidatesetCandidats.PPSCIP@international.gc.ca******@*******.*** to request specialized accommodation (a modification made to the standard assessment conditions, allowing individuals with disabilities to demonstrate their abilities on an assessment by removing barriers related to their specific needs). 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 term, indeterminate, part-time or full-time openings at the Embassy of Canada to the Republic of Korea,  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.
• The Government of Canada has established a multiple step salary scale as well as Terms and Conditions tailored to each country’s local labor environment. The Government of Canada does not negotiate salaries. Competitive benefits in line with local practices for each country are also provided in the gross compensation package.