Senior Advisor, International Relations

Your Challenge

Great Minds. One Goal. Canada's Success.

Help bring research to life and drive your career forward with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canada's largest research and technology organization.

We are looking for a vibrant and dynamic Senior Advisor who will play a key role in facilitating the NRC’s growing collaborations with the German science, technology and innovation ecosystem (government, research entities and private sector)  in support of NRC strategic objectives.

Included are building and nurturing enabling relationships, catalyzing targeted research collaborations, facilitating co-innovation opportunities and connecting NRC business to key clients. The Senior Advisor will be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Your duties will include:

• Creating and nurturing select infrastructure relationships with German entities for mutually beneficial intelligence gathering on trends, investments, opportunities; creation and oversight of joint initiatives; targeted door opening for business, best practice sharing, scientific exchanges, research collaboration and co-innovation. 
• Advising NRC Research Centres, Industrial Research Assistance Program, Challenge Programs and Business Teams on how to assess whether and how German innovators and firms could be leveraged to further and accelerate their strategic objectives. 
• Partnering with key convenors (such as Global Affairs Canada) to connect NRC with targeted opportunities in support of strategic objectives, including matchmaking, partnering events and missions. 
• Facilitating the execution of collaboration, co-innovation and business using a toolkit refined by your first-hand knowledge of the Canadian and German systems to enable, implement and secure results from projects.  
• Advise NRC on trends in Germany relevant to its business and formulate recommendations for senior management.  
• Research, develop and write documents and briefing material to advise NRC senior management (President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary General, Directors General).
• Provide German protocol expertise and staff support to NRC's senior management for visits, conferences, or reception of German dignitaries.

This role will appeal to someone who has a strong understanding of the German innovation landscape and a passion for international engagement.

Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A Master’s of Business Administration, Science, Engineering, International Relations, or other relevant graduate degree with equivalent business experience. 

PhD degree would be an asset but not required.

An equivalent combination of education and work experience may be considered.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Significant experience* in international relations and/or international business.
• Experience working with the Canadian and German innovation ecosystems.
• Significant experience* in business development and/or strategic relationship management.
• Experience working with innovators (SMEs, research institutions, universities) aiming at commercialization.

* Significant is defined as at least 3 years of experience.

Condition of Employment

Secret (II)

A Secret clearance must be obtained within 12 months of employment.

Valid Canadian passport or Canadian Permanent Resident status, and the ability to travel nationally and internationally.

Language Requirements

English 

German reading, writing and oral is required.

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical Competencies

• Advanced knowledge and understanding of the international Science and Technology environment and Canada’s and Germany’s engagement in this area.
• Advanced knowledge of International Relations including Protocol.
• Advanced knowledge of best practices in IP commercialization and business development.
• Knowledge of innovative SME co-innovation opportunity.
• Knowledge of strategic planning.
• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

Behavioural Competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Management Services

View all competency profiles

Compensation

This position is classified as a Research Council Officer (RCO), a group that is unique to the NRC. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. The salary scale for this group is vast, from $62,071 to $175,466 per annum, which permits for employees of all levels from new graduates to world renowned experts to be fairly compensated for their contributions. 

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, vacation, sick, and other leave entitlements, disability insurance and pension plans.

The NRC Advantage

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada's largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development. We collaborate with over 70 colleges, universities and hospitals annually, work with 800 companies on their projects, and provide advice or funding to over 8000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) each year.

We bring together the brightest minds to deliver tangible impacts on the lives of Canadians and people around the world. And now, we want to partner with you.  Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC.

At the NRC Employee wellness matters. We offer flexible work schedules as well as part-time work to help employees maintain work-life balance. We are one of the few federal organizations that close our offices during the December holiday season.  We offer professional learning and development opportunities such as conferences, workshops, and a suite of mentorship, award and recognition programs. Diversity enables creativity and innovation. Fostering a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and supportive workplace is important to us, and contributes to a more inclusive Canadian innovation system. We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage you to complete the employment equity self-declaration questions during the job application process. Please let us know of any accommodation measures required to help you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Please note that the information you provide will be treated confidentially. 

Help us solve problems for Canada. Grow your career with us today!

Notes

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• To ensure a prompt and efficient processing of applications, candidates must provide, along with their résumé, a detailed covering letter explaining how they meet each of the requirements of this position (education, experience, language requirements) by providing concrete examples. In addition, the candidate is encouraged to describe in detail when, where and how he/she gained the experience.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.