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Chief Electoral Officer, Office of the Chief Electoral Officer,

Appointment Opportunity

We know that our country is stronger — and our government more effective — when decision-makers reflect Canada’s diversity. The Government of Canada will use an appointment process that is transparent and merit-based, strives for gender parity, and ensures that Indigenous peoples and minority groups are properly represented in positions of leadership. We will continue to search for Canadians who reflect the values that we all embrace: inclusion, honesty, fiscal prudence, and generosity of spirit. Together, we will build a government as diverse as Canada.

The overarching goal of the Minister of Democratic Institutions is to strengthen the openness and fairness of Canada’s public institutions.

The Government of Canada is currently seeking applications from diverse and talented Canadians from across the country who are interested in the following position:

Chief Electoral Officer (full-time position)

Office of the Chief Electoral Officer

Note: The Chief Electoral Officer is appointed by resolution of the House of Commons.

The Chief Electoral Officer is responsible for the fair and efficient running of federal elections.

The Office through which the Chief Electoral Officer carries out their mandate normally comprises a group of some 500 employees working in the National Capital Region. During a general election or referendum, more than 235,000 positions are filled by election workers across the country.

Headed by the Chief Electoral Officer, Elections Canada is an independent, non-partisan agency of Parliament. Elections Canada’s primary task is to be prepared at all times to administer an electoral event, under the Canada Elections Act and other laws that govern the federal electoral process, including the Referendum Act, and the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.

The agency’s duties include:

  • Administering electoral legislation;
  • Managing Federal elections and Electoral Events;
  • Registering political parties and third parties engaged in election advertising, as well as electoral district associations, leadership contestants and nomination contestants of registered parties;
  • Maintaining the National Register of Electors;
  • Appointing and providing instructions to returning officers (one in each electoral district);
  • Disclosing contributions to candidates, political parties and third parties, and to electoral district associations, leadership contestants and nomination contestants of registered parties; examining and disclosing their financial returns; and reimbursing expenses to candidates and parties according to formulas laid down in the Canada Elections Act;
  • Ensuring access to the system for all eligible citizens, through both physical facilities and advertising messages; and
  • Providing legal, technical, financial and administrative support to the independent commissions responsible for the periodic process of readjusting federal electoral boundaries, to ensure that representation conforms to the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer's website.

Review of applications will begin on October 16, 2017. Candidates must apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Salary: $315,300 (statutory)

Position Location: National Capital Region

Official Languages and Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing candidates for this position. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to candidates who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minorities.

To be considered for this position, please provide examples from your career that clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements in your application:

Education and Experience

  • A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study, or an acceptable combination of education, job-related training and/or experience;
  • Experience representing an organization at the senior executive level;
  • Experience interpreting the provisions of various statutes, regulations, policies, and other enabling frameworks;
  • Experience planning for and managing change;
  • Significant experience building and sustaining effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including the public, governments at all levels, Ministers and Members of Parliament; and
  • Significant experience managing human and financial resources at the senior executive level in a private or public sector organization.

If you are selected for an interview, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge and understanding of the Canada Elections Act, the Referendum Act, and/or the Electoral Boundaries Readjustment Act;
  • Knowledge and understanding of the Canadian parliamentary system, including the role of an Officer (Agent) of Parliament, and its relationship with Parliament and the Government;
  • Knowledge of practices and principles underlying conciliation, mediation, and the application of alternative dispute resolution methods;
  • Knowledge of the legislative and policy context and frameworks governing financial, human resources, and program management in the federal public sector;
  • Knowledge of the mandate, roles, and responsibilities of the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer;
  • Strong understanding of contemporary election administration, policies and practices;
  • Strong leadership skills, and demonstrated commitment to promoting and adhering to the principles of openness, transparency and diversity;
  • Ability to anticipate and address emerging issues of political and/or public concern;
  • Ability to assess the relevance of precedents in order to render decisions;
  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, in both official languages, and with a variety of stakeholders, including the media; and
  • Demonstrated ability to be adaptable and flexible.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages (as set out in the Language Skills Act).

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to verify how you have demonstrated the experience requirements and following Personal Attributes in your current and recently held positions:

  • Strong ethical standards
  • Strict political neutrality
  • Sound judgment
  • Tact
  • Creativity and innovation
  • Superior interpersonal skills

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

In your application, it will be important that you confirm you meet the following requirements:

  • The Language Skills Act requires that upon appointment the Chief Electoral Officer must be able to speak and understand clearly both official languages.
  • If you have served as Chief Electoral Officer [of Canada], you are not eligible for re-appointment to the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (statutory).
  • Due to the non-partisan nature of the Office, please disclose any past partisan political activities as part of your application.
  • You must reside in or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region, or to a location within a reasonable commuting distance.
  • You must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally.

If you are appointed to this position:

You must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout your appointment, as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website, under Forms and reference material.

You will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full time basis must submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner, within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner’s website.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Government in identifying qualified candidates for this position. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

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