Senior Commercial Officer at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo, Japan

4280

Senior Commercial Officer – Ontario

JPY 9,692,650 ~ 14,861,069 per annum (the starting salary is the lowest amount of the salary range)

Indeterminate

Officer

LE-09

Embassy of Canada in Tokyo, Japan

08-01-2021 at 23:59 UTC/GMT

Reporting to the Head of the Ontario Trade and Investment Office (TIO) at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo, the person holding this position is required to plan, develop, and deliver business development strategies and initiatives to support the Province of Ontario’s priorities related to investment attraction, export promotion, and research and innovation partnerships, within the TIO area of operation and sectors of responsibility.

Screening Requirements:
Candidates will initially be screened against the Essential Qualifications described below relating to education, language and experience. Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their cover letter and resume/CV how they meet each of these essential qualifications. Candidates may wish to structure their cover letter to clearly show how they meet each of the essential education, language and experience qualifications, and relevant details should be supported by details in the resume/CV.

Education:
• Higher education degree (minimum Bachelor’s degree) from an accredited college or university

Language:
• Fluency (business professional level) of Japanese and English, both written and spoken

Experience:
• Minimum of five years of work experience out of the past seven years in promoting international business development (including international trade, investment, and/or science and technology partnerships) either in the public or the private sector
• *Recent experience organizing internationally-focused commercial events (networking, matchmaking or promotional)
• *Recent experience organizing and executing VIP visits, whether for incoming/outgoing government officials and/or high-level business delegations
• *Recent experience conducting research and analysis and providing strategic advice, briefings and written reports to senior management and/or clients on business issues
• *Recent experience in using media, including social media, to promote international business development and/or to generate new international business opportunities (related to international trade, investment, and/or science and technology partnerships)

* Recent experience is defined as frequently involved in these tasks for a total of two years within the past five years.
 Virtual events and visits can also be counted towards the experience above.

RATED REQUIREMENTS:
The Rated Requirements listed below relating to knowledge, abilities and competencies will also be assessed, after the initial screening. Methods of assessment may include, but are not limited to, a written examination, an oral interview, role-play, practical tests, presentations and/or psychometric assessment.

Knowledge:
• Extensive knowledge of international trade, investment and science and technology linkages between Canada and Japan, especially between Ontario and Japan
• Extensive knowledge of the Ontario economy (overall economy and industry sectors of strength, advantages as an international investment destination, and business culture)
• Extensive knowledge of the Japanese economy, including related to business procedures, practices and customs
• Knowledge of trade policy as it relates to trade promotion, including free trade agreements

Abilities/skills:
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision, and set and achieve work targets within established deadlines
• Excellent business writing skills in English and Japanese, including for the preparation and delivery of speeches and presentations for external, public audiences
• Ability to effectively and convincingly represent an organization publicly through the delivery of formal remarks and presentations on behalf of that organization, whether in front of external audiences or in meetings
• Ability to analyse economic, business and policy trends to identify international business opportunities and provide strategic advice to clients and/or senior management
• Ability to plan and organize programs for high-level visits and business delegations, including events, seminars, workshops, and “B2B meetings”

Personal Suitability:
• Initiative (i.e. taking initiative to independently propose and execute projects)
• Strategic thinking (i.e. drawing linkages between information and events to identify and act on opportunities)
• Client focus (i.e. fully responding to requests from clients in a prompt, respectful and comprehensive manner)
• Networking / alliance building (i.e. developing, maintaining, and leveraging a strong network of clients and contacts)
• Planning / organisational skills (i.e. office organization, schedule/time management including prioritization of tasks, information management, etc.)
• Adaptability and flexibility
• Teamwork and cooperation
• Professional integrity
• Sound judgement

Preference may be given to candidates who meet the Asset Qualifications. Where applicable, candidates are encouraged to clearly demonstrate how they meet any asset qualifications in their cover letter and resume/CV.

• Existing business network in Japan in sectors of interest to Ontario companies and organizations
• Working level knowledge of French, written and spoken
• Professional knowledge of and experience with client management software and planning and budgeting tools

• Ability to travel on occasion
• Ability to work overtime according to operational needs
• Ability to use common computer software such as the full range of MS Office applications

The successful candidate must:
• Have a valid “Reliability Status”; security check is required prior to appointment. The required level of security clearance must be maintained throughout the employment period.
• Be eligible to work in Japan and have a valid work authorization covering the employment period.

Note also that a health assessment may be requested at the discretion of the Head of Mission.

This position is open to candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the essential qualifications for the position and whose applications are received by the closing date, including current Embassy employees and spouses of Canada-based staff. Candidates must be available to participate in tests and/or interviews at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo during the competitive process. Candidates must be eligible to work in Japan and have valid work authorization covering the employment period. Please note that the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo does not sponsor work authorizations directly or indirectly.

How to Apply:
• Applications must be submitted through this website by 23:59. January 8, 2021, Tokyo Time.

• Only applications received through the aforementioned website before the closing date will be accepted.

• Applicants should send a CV/résumé and cover letter in English or French which addresses each of the essential qualifications and any asset qualifications with specific and comprehensive information supporting each item.

• 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.

• We thank all applicants for their interest, but we will only contact those who pass the initial screening.

Other Information:

• Locally engaged employees of the Embassy of Canada in Japan are eligible for commuting assistance (up to Yen 18,300 per month).

• Canadian citizens may be subject to deductions for employment insurance, Canada Pension Plan, and Canadian Income Tax.

• Please note that the Government of Canada does not reimburse any travel costs to and from interviews, nor does it reimburse any relocation costs.

• Applicants who fail to confirm their attendance at our written exam and/or interview will be considered withdrawn from the process.

• Applicants are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language (English or French) in their application.

• If candidates need any special assistance in terms of attending exams or interviews, then please let us know at [email protected] during the application process.

• The results of this recruitment process may also be used to establish an eligibility list of qualified candidates for similar openings at the Embassy of Canada in Tokyo which might arise in the 12 months following the completion of this recruitment process.