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Chairperson, Canadian Commercial Corporation,

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 Canadians 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 International Trade is to increase trade and attract job-creating investment to Canada, focusing on implementing the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, expanding trade with large fast-growing markets, and deepening our trade links with traditional partners.

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

Chairperson (part-time position)

Canadian Commercial Corporation

Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario, the Canadian Commercial Corporation is a federal Crown corporation mandated to facilitate international trade on behalf of Canadian industry, particularly with governments of foreign countries. The Canadian Commercial Corporation has a unique opportunity to play a key role in supporting economic growth, job creation, and broad-based prosperity for all Canadians.

The Canadian Commercial Corporation's primary service is to facilitate government-to-government contracts with foreign government buyers to provide goods and services available for export from Canada in a transparent and accountable manner. In 2014-15, the Canadian Commercial Corporation worked with 156 Canadian exporters operating in 70 countries, managed $2.7 billion of export contracts and was able to offer exporters direct access to foreign government procurement opportunities through its government-to-government contract service.

The Chairperson guides and directs the governance process of the Canadian Commercial Corporation, centering the work of the Board on the organization's mission, vision and strategic direction. In addition to the Chairperson's overall stewardship responsibilities, the Chairperson is, first and foremost, responsible for the effective functioning of the Board in its role of governing the Corporation. In addition to the duties of every Board member, the Chairperson is responsible for: participating in the preparation of the Board's meeting agenda; chairing all meetings of the Board of Directors; enforcing codes of conduct as they apply to the Board and its individual members; coaching members of the Board; ensuring there is a process to evaluate the effectiveness of the Board and its committees; and serving as spokesperson (together with the President). As Chairperson, primarily responsible for managing the Corporation's strategic direction, he/she will work to ensure robust policies on transparency and accountability are in place, with a commitment to diversification in key sectors and global markets.

The Chairperson is responsible for providing leadership to the Board, to ensure focused and productive discussions, while facilitating and enabling the Board as a whole to effectively direct and oversee the affairs of the Corporation. An effective Chairperson fosters a team orientation to the Board by engaging the interest, collaboration and commitment of Board members.

A close working and reporting relationship between the Chairperson and the President is critical. The Chairperson will also provide leadership and guidance to the President of the Corporation, and consistent and regular interaction between the Chairperson and the President is essential to ensure the effective management of the organization's strategic direction and public policy issues and objectives. The Chairperson serves as the board's central point of official communication with the President, and maintains a positive, collaborative relationship with him/her, including acting as a sounding board for the President on emerging issues and alternative courses of action. The Chairperson stays up-to-date about the organization and determines when an issue needs to be brought to the attention of the full Board or a committee.

From an outward perspective, the Chairperson is the Board's principal point of contact with the responsible Minister, and will regularly update the Minister on the Corporation's activities and progress vis-à-vis the Minister's annual Statement of Priorities and Accountabilities. The Canadian Commercial Corporation is well positioned to pursue opportunities for Canadian companies exporting globally that benefit all Canadians. The Canadian Commercial Corporation will work closely with Global Affairs Canada to implement a progressive trade agenda focused on increasing Canadian exports, through helping Canadian companies access global public sector procurement markets and securing opportunities across a diverse set of sectors.

Further details about the organization and its activities can be found on the Canadian Commercial Corporation's website.

Applicants who have already submitted their application earlier this year need not apply again.

Candidates must apply online by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on August 7, 2017, via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Assistant Secretary to the Cabinet (Senior Personnel), Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application. If you applied between April 23 and May 24 or June 16 and July 24, 2017, you do not need to re-apply to be considered for this position.

Per Diem: $310 - $375

Annual Retainer: $8,000 - $9,400

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, Aboriginal Canadians, 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 business experience;
• Experience serving on Boards of Directors of public, private or not-for-profit organization, preferably as Chairperson;
• Experience in governance principles and best practices in a culture of accountability and transparency;
• Experience dealing with different levels of government, preferably with senior government officials;
• Experience in the areas of international trade/exports;
• Experience in managing financial and human resources; and
• Experience in government procurement would be considered an asset.

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

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge and prior involvement in international business or export transactions or projects or international financing issues, including large multi-disciplinary, multi-year projects (including an understanding of the issues and concerns facing small- and medium-sized Canadian businesses);
• Knowledge of and respect for the Canadian Commercial Corporation's core values and beliefs, and a demonstrated affinity to conduct affairs in a manner consistent with those values;
• Knowledge of management and financing of infrastructure procurement and capital projects would be considered an asset;
• Ability to effectively lead a Board in dealing with difficult issues, in a transparent and accountable manner;
• Ability to communicate, listen, and seek others' input;
• Demonstrated ability in solution-based decision-making at a Board level;
• Ability to think strategically beyond single-event transactions, such as the oversight of the Corporate Plan;
• Ability to understand complex political situations with a sensitivity to political nuances;
• Ability to assess (business/global) risk environment, and translate and incorporate these considerations in Board discussions and oversight functions;
• Analytical abilities, including the ability to read and assess financial statements and business proposals; and
• Superior communication skills, both written and oral, and ability to manage communications with a variety of stakeholders.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

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 the following Personal Attributes in your current and recently held positions:

• Strong leadership and initiative
• Sound judgment
• Team-oriented
• Superior interpersonal skills
• Tact and diplomacy
• Integrity, accountability and credibility

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

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

• The successful candidate must be willing to preside over all meetings of the Board, and must be willing to perform any duties that are assigned by the by-laws or by resolution of the Board (statutory). The Board meets on a quarterly basis, primarily in Ottawa, Ontario, and holds at least one meeting per year in a location that will enable Board members to enhance their familiarity with regional operations, and facilitate contact with regional business communities.
• The Chairperson must be available for up to 60 days per year for Board and Committee activities and related travel, with additional Board meetings held for strategic planning purposes, or in special circumstances, as may be necessary from time to time.

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. 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.