Canada PoliticsHelp wanted: ‘Notice of vacancy’ posted to replace Parliamentary Budget Officer Kevin Page
Do you have a degree in economics, business, finance, political science or public administration? Do you have experience with financial analysis in the public sector? Are you okay with being hated by the Harper Conservatives?
If you said yes to all of those things you could be Canada's next Parliamentary Budget Officer.
On Thursday, the Library of Parliament, released the job description and selection criteria for the PBO job that becomes vacant on March 25th, the day current PBO Kevin Page's contract expires.
[ Related: Kevin Page embarrasses Harper government over billions in budget cuts ]
Page, of course, has been chided by the Tories for his reports and public comments against things like the Harper government's mishandling of the F-35 procurement process and the lack of transparency about spending cuts.
Recently, prime minister Harper took, what many consider a dig at Page, when during question period he said the next PBO would be "non-partisan and credible."
[ Related: Tories can’t wait to get rid of Kevin Page but the NDP aren’t ready to say to goodbye ]
The job description doesn't used those words verbatim exactly but it does use call for the candidate to be "tactful and discreet."
"The successful candidate will possess effective communication skills, both written and oral, as well as the ability to quickly synthesize and effectively communicate complex information in clear language to non-technical audiences," it says.
"A strategic and innovative leader, the suitable candidate should also possess sound judgment in a highly stressful environment and excellent interpersonal skills. He or she should be decisive, impartial, tactful and discreet. Finally, the chosen candidate should possess integrity and high ethical standards."
The documentation doesn't give any indication of salary; Page's salary was in the range of $165,400 - $193,700.
The full 'notice of vacancy' can be found here.
The selection criteria is copied below:
Education
· A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study such as economics, business, finance, political science or public administration;
· A graduate degree in a relevant field of study would be considered an asset.The ideal candidate would possess the following:
Experience
· Experience leading high level financial analysis, ideally in a public sector environment;
· Leadership and management experience in a complex stakeholder environment in a public or private sector organization;
· Management experience, including the supervision of analytical professionals;
· Experience in providing strategic advice and making decisions on complex and sensitive issues;
· Experience in negotiating and achieving consensus on complex issues among a variety of stakeholders with competing objectives; and
· Experience working in a parliamentary or legislative environment would be considered an asset.Knowledge
Knowledge of the federal budget process and the federal government’s expenditure management process;
Knowledge of the Parliament of Canada Act, the Financial Accountability Act, and other federal laws applicable to the Government of Canada;
Knowledge of macro-economic policy.
Knowledge of the operations of the federal government, including those related to sound management principles, accountability and transparency; and
Understanding of the Parliament of Canada and Canada’s parliamentary system of governance.Abilities
· Ability to provide impartial and authoritative advice and support to Parliamentarians on matters relating to the state of Canada’s finances, the estimates of government and trends in the national economy;
· Ability to respond to complex situations with multiple competing interests arising in a partisan environment;
· Effective communication skills, both written and oral;
· Ability to quickly synthesize and effectively communicate complex information in clear language to non-technical audiences; and
· Ability to develop and maintain constructive relationships and facilitate information-sharing and meaningful dialogue among senior decision-makers.Personal Suitability
· Integrity and high ethical standards
· Strategic and innovative leader
· Decisiveness and sound judgment in a highly stressful environment
· Excellent interpersonal skills
· Impartiality
· Tact and DiscretionLanguage Requirements
· Proficiency in both official languages is essential.
Working Conditions
· The successful candidate must reside in or be prepared to relocate to the National Capital Region or to a location within reasonable commuting distance.
· The successful candidate will be frequently required to work long hours.
(Photo courtesy of Reuters)
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