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Chief Statistician of Canada, Statistics Canada,

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 has implemented 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 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 Innovation, Science and Economic Development is to help Canadian businesses grow, innovate and export so that they can create good quality jobs and wealth for Canadians.

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 Statistician of Canada (full-time position)

Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada is a statutory agency responsible for Canada’s national statistical system. It was established to ensure that Canadians and governments have access to a trusted source of statistics to meet their information needs. Its mandate is primarily derived from the Statistics Act, which requires Statistics Canada “to collect, compile, analyze, abstract and publish statistical information relating to the commercial, industrial, financial, social, economic and general activities and conditions of the people” of Canada. The Act also requires Statistics Canada to conduct a census of population and a census of agriculture every fifth year, and to protect the confidentiality of the information with which it is entrusted.

The Chief Statistician’s main function is to provide leadership to the Agency and to the national statistical system to ensure that high-quality and impartial statistics and analysis on the fiscal, economic, business, social and day-to-day decisions of the country is provided to Canadians, governments, the private sector, and civil society and that Canadians’ confidential information is protected. The Chief Statistician is expected to work collaboratively with other federal departments and agencies, provincial/territorial and municipal governments, the international community, and Canadians to meet the Agency’s mandate and stakeholder needs and to ensure a well-integrated, coherent national statistical system that minimizes duplication and reporting burden on households and businesses. The Chief Statistician is expected to ensure Statistics Canada’s work is of the highest quality possible and undertaken with high scientific and ethical standards, integrity and impartiality.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on Statistics Canada's website.

Review of applications will begin on April 23, 2018. 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 Range: Under review

Position Location: Ottawa, Ontario

Official Languages and Diversity

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. 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 applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

To be considered for this position, please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrates how you meet the following requirements:

Education and Experience

  • A post-graduate university degree from a recognized institution in a relevant field of study or a combination of equivalent education, job-related training and/or experience;
  • A degree in statistics, economics or any field providing considerable knowledge and training in research methods and quantitative analysis would be considered an asset;
  • Extensive corporate leadership experience at the senior executive level, including managing human and financial resources in a large operational organization;
  • Experience in managing complex large scale operations and dealing with complex and time sensitive issues;
  • Experience in building, fostering and maintaining productive and strategic partnerships, relationships and collaborative arrangements with partner organizations, diverse stakeholders, academia and members of the international community; and
  • Experience in one or more of the following would be considered an asset:
    • developing and implementing significant data collection initiatives;
    • undertaking large scale consultation efforts;
    • leading and/or managing organizational change and transition.

If you move on to the next stage of the selection process, the following criteria will be assessed:

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

  • Knowledge of the mandate, role, and responsibilities of Statistics Canada and of the Chief Statistician;
  • Knowledge of the Statistics Act, of the challenges and opportunities facing national statistical systems and of the fundamental principles guiding their work;
  • Knowledge of government and public policy environments, of the machinery of the federal government and its decision-making processes;
  • Ability to work with other federal departments and agencies, provincial/territorial governments, the international community and other stakeholders;
  • Ability to provide sound advice while demonstrating integrity and independence through non-partisanship;
  • Ability to think creatively and innovatively, with a strategic vision for the national statistical system that extends to the longer term;
  • Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and interpersonal skills, including the ability to develop and maintain effective relationships and networks with officials and stakeholders in the statistical community and beyond as required;
  • Ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders, including the media, ministers, parliamentary committees, other government representatives (federal, provincial, territorial, international), academia, the public, and the private sector;
  • Ability to negotiate contradictory interests, and identify, analyze and define priorities and strategies to meet stakeholder needs within approved budgetary limits;
  • Ability to lead and manage complex large scale operations; and
  • Ability to provide corporate leadership and mobilize people in support of the organization’s vision and strategic direction..

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

If you move on the next stage of the selection process, we will contact your references to confirm that you meet the above selection criteria and that you possess the following Personal Attributes:

  • High ethical standards, integrity and impartiality
  • Strategic and innovative thinking
  • Superior leadership and interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy
  • Strong analytical skills and sound judgement
  • Calm under pressure

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

  • If you are appointed to this position, you must reside or be willing to relocate to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.
  • If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada and internationally.
  • Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website, under Forms and reference material.
  • All appointees will be subject to the Conflict of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full–time basis must also 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 Governor in Council 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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