Trade Commissioner Job Vacancy at Canada Embassy, Johannesburg, South Africa

Canada’s Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is a worldwide network of professionals in international business development (IBD), with preferred access to business knowledge and contacts, who are committed to advancing Canadian commercial and economic interests abroad. This position contributes to the delivery of the IBD program at the mission by delivering services to clients in accordance with TCS policies and guidelines, and Government of Canada policies and priorities for international trade, investment, and innovation, with the objective of helping Canadian clients make better business decisions abroad.

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Main Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Senior Trade Commissioner and Deputy Head of the High Commission of Canada’s Trade Office in Johannesburg, the Junior Trade Commissioner’s major responsibilities include:

• Promoting trade, investment, and innovation collaboration between Canada and the countries of responsibility (South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia, Mauritius and Madagascar),
• Supporting and contributing to the delivery of the IBD program at the High Commission of Canada’s Trade Office in South Africa to assist Canadian companies, primarily in the Clean Technology sector (renewable energy, water and wastewater, and sustainable resource management) but also in other priority and emerging sectors (forestry and wood products, agriculture, education, etc.) in their international business endeavors. This will include, but is not limited to:
  o Providing services aimed at bringing success to Canadian companies who are active in the countries of responsibility identified by the Trade Office;
  o Working in close collaboration with and supporting other Trade Commissioners of the Trade Office in Johannesburg who are responsible for sectors that intersect with Clean Technology (Mining, Education, ICT, Digital Industries);
  o Uncovering opportunities for Canadian companies seeking success in the countries of responsibility; and
  o Conducting or contracting market research on key issues facing Canadian mining companies in the countries of responsibility.
• Playing a role in the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from the countries of responsibility into Canada;

• Organizing events and initiatives (including high-level visits of government officials, industry representatives, participation at trade shows and conferences, etc.);
• Providing timely input into the client relationship management database;
• Representing the High Commission in contact with nationals and officials of the countries of responsibility, or other interlocutors;
• Developing and maintaining awareness of the local environment and building a network of key relationships;
• Developing marketing material for the TCS on these topics, including playing a role in the promotion of Canadian companies and Canadian trade priorities on social media platforms, and working with other Trade Commissioners of the Trade Office in Johannesburg to develop social media strategies and campaigns; and
• Performing other related duties that support the overall work of the Trade Program.