Director, Export Development Canada

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Position title:Director

Type:Part-time

Per diem:$410.00 - $485.00

Annual retainer:$5,300.00 - $6,200.00

Location:Ottawa, Ontario

Application Review Date:May 19, 2020

Opportunity number:J0420-0057

Export Development Canada (EDC) is a financial Crown Corporation whose mandate is to: “support and develop, directly or indirectly, Canada’s export trade and Canadian capacity to engage in that trade and to respond to international business opportunities.” In 2019, EDC celebrated 75 years as Canada’s Export Credit Agency (ECA). In 2017, EDC was entrusted by the Government of Canada to create a Canadian development finance institute (DFI). Created as a subsidiary of EDC, FinDev Canada’s mandate is to support sustainable development and poverty reduction in developing countries by providing financial services in support of private sector initiatives.

Export Development Canada is financially self-sufficient and works alongside the financial private sector to provide a wide range of financing and risk management services to support Canadian exporters and investors of all sizes. At the core of Export Development Canada’s mission is its unique ability to harness its knowledge of international financial services, markets as well as global trade and international buyers to enable it to take on and manage significant levels of capital and risk for Canadian export minded firms. Export Development Canada is viewed as a vibrant organization that maximizes its contribution to Canadian international trade while returning significant financial returns to Canadians year over year.

With respect to its operating principles, Export Development Canada conducts its business in a manner that is respectful of international agreements to which Canada is a party; that is consistent with its commitments to responsible and sustainable business; and that ensures the sound financial management of its activities. In 2018, Export Development Canada helped Canadian customers facilitate $105 billion of exports and international trade and 84% of these customers were small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Export Development Canada generated net income of $830 million in 2018 and had total assets of $69.3 billion.

A thirteen-member Board of Directors comprised of members from the private sector and Export Development Canada’s President oversees the Corporation’s activities. The Board plays a pivotal role in setting the strategic direction of Export Development Canada and in ensuring that public policy objectives are met in the most effective manner. The Board and its Committees are responsible for reviewing and approving Export Development Canada’s annual Corporate Plan and monitoring the Corporation’s performance. The Board also monitors the performance and effectiveness of the CEO and senior management and assesses its own effectiveness in fulfilling its responsibilities. The Board reviews the development and refinement of the various financial services offered to Canadian companies, and approves and authorizes certain loan, guarantee, insurance and equity investment transactions. Oversight of the management and assessment of enterprise risk is a major role of the Board. The Board also oversees the compliance and ethics of Export Development Canada and the implementation of responsible and sustainable business policies. A subset of Board Members is also appointed by the EDC Board of Directors to the FinDev Canada board of directors.

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

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, please ensure that the information provided in your curriculum vitae and cover letter clearly demonstrate how you meet the following requirements:

• 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 serving as a member of a board of directors of a government/Crown, non-profit, and/or private sector organization;
• Experience in the areas of international trade/exports;
• Experience in managing financial and human resources; and
• A professional financial designation would be considered an asset.

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

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of Export Development Canada and strategic corporate planning, monitoring and the evaluation of corporate performance;
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the Board of Directors, corporate governance principles and best practices;
• Knowledge of government and public policy;
• Knowledge of international affairs, international trade and the global economy;
• Knowledge of banking and/or insurance industry;
• Knowledge of Export Development Canada’s products and business or a commitment to acquiring this within a short time of joining the Board;
• Knowledge of sound financial and risk management of an enterprise and corporate social responsibility;
• Knowledge of different sizes of enterprises ranging from large national and trans-national corporations to small and medium sized businesses and of Canada’s diverse industry sectors;
• Knowledge of best practices with regard to accountability and reporting for Crown held corporations would be an asset;
• Knowledge related to development finance would be an asset;
• Financial acumen and literacy (ability to read and assess financial statements);
• Ability to set priorities and support the corporate vision needed to fulfill Export Development Canada’s mandate and attain its objectives; and
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other Board members and have the capacity to be sensitive to the differing needs and agendas of multiple stakeholders.

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 confirm that you meet the above selection criteria and that you possess the following 

Personal Attributes:

• Informed Judgment
• Integrity and Accountability
• Impact and Influence
• Sound management
• Trust and commitment

• 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 the Forms and reference material.
• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts 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 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.
• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.
• The successful candidate must be willing to participate in Board and Committee meetings with four meetings held in Ottawa and two meetings held in various other Canadian cities. Additional Board meetings may be held as may be necessary from time to time.
• The successful candidate must be willing to serve on an average of two committees.

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

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

Review of applications will begin on May 19, 2020. 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.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.