Protocol Officer

Job Summary

The Protocol Officer is responsible for the coordination of incoming visits from foreign agencies and foreign travel by senior Executive members, as well as supporting the provision of advice on Executive foreign engagement. 

• Coordinate multiple simultaneous visits and travel of foreign agencies hosted by Executive members, including by developing agenda in consultation with relevant Executive offices, HQ/Regional branches, Service stations abroad, and foreign liaison representatives (FLRs) in Canada. Facilitate required courtesies for Executive foreign agencies upon arrival in Canada. Be sole representative of the Service and the Person of Contact for delegation throughout the visit. 
• Provide written strategic advice and recommendations to Executive offices on foreign engagement, including determining strategic value of CSIS participation and at what level, recommending foreign partners to engage, and advising on objectives of each engagement, in keeping with Service and Government of Canada priorities and operational requirements, by gathering information, researching, and conducting analysis.
• Provide protocol advice and carry out related duties, such as gifts, flags, and other courtesies for high-level delegations. Stay abreast of protocol policies and standards in order to inform the Service's approach to hosting visits. 
• Advise Executive offices and Service stations abroad on budgetary approvals, and provide guidance with respect to Treasury Board guidelines and Service policy. Draft hospitality requests and obtain financial approval for all expenses related to visits and travel. Ensure all requests adhere to established Government of Canada and CSIS procedures and policies. 
• Develop and maintain professional relationships with FLRs, Executive Offices, Stations abroad, and other government departments in order to arrange visits and travel of foreign partners, including determining parameters and expectations, proposing discussion topics, and advising on appropriate Executive engagement to ensure the Service remains effective and efficient.
• Prepare detailed reports and statistics pertaining to Executive visits and travel by gathering information, researching, and conducting analysis. Draft and disseminate weekly Executive Summary report to Executive offices in order to inform on upcoming visits and travel.  
• Coordinate and plan program for delegations and accompany delegations throughout the visit. Independently make decisions and alter program in response to changing circumstances on the ground with little to no notice in order to ensure a smooth visit or travel and to minimize risk to Service reputation and partnerships.
• Conduct research and analysis on international issues of relevance to CSIS, and contribute to briefing material provided to Executive offices for the purposes of bilateral meetings, including meetings with foreign intelligence services, Ambassadors to Canada, and Canadian Heads of Mission. 
• Draft contact reports following Executive meetings with foreign partners. Seek Executive approval of contact reports, and disseminate contact reports to relevant Executive offices, branches, and Stations abroad.

Education

• Undergraduate degree and one (1) year of experience*
• College diploma and two (2) years of experience* 

The educational program must be from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada. 

If you completed a program outside of Canada, you will be required to obtain proof of a Canadian equivalency at your expense through a recognized credential assessment service.

Note: Any higher level of education could be recognized as experience.

Experience

*Experience in coordinating or contributing to the planning of events. 

ASSET: 

• Experience in collaborating with domestic and international partners. 
• Experience providing recommendations and advice to decision-makers. 

Competencies

• Organizational skills/multitasking
• Rigour
• Communication
• Interpersonal skills
• Problem solving/Judgement.

Conditions of Employment

• Candidates must possess a valid Canadian license and maintain a valid license throughout their employment in this position. 
• Candidates need to be flexible in terms of their working hours in order to facilitate required courtesies including delegation escort/transport.  

Notes

While we continue to explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, the majority of work in our organization must be done in the office and cannot be performed at home.

A written examination will be administered to candidates as a screening tool to evaluate written communication and organizational skills, rigour, problem solving and judgement.  

Reference Links

Security Requirements

Others