JPAC Coordinator

The Secretariat of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time, two-year position of Coordinator, Joint Public Advisory Committee (JPAC) at its headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. This position is classified as General Staff. As such, the CEC will not be responsible for relocation or related costs, nor will the CEC assist with visa or work-permit related matters; candidates must be eligible for employment in Canada.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation comprises a Council, a Secretariat and a Joint Advisory Committee (JPAC) as established by the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC). JPAC is composed of 15 members, five from each country, appointed by their governments. They provide advice to the CEC Council on any matter within the scope of NAAEC, and provide relevant technical, scientific or other information to the CEC Secretariat. The Council recently established a Roster of Experts on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (“TEK Roster of Experts”), which is composed of fifteen (15) individuals from Canada, Mexico and the United States, identified by the Parties as experts on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK).

The successful applicant will have an undergraduate degree in international affairs, political science, public administration, or a field of work related to the environment or other relevant areas of work, plus five years of experience or advanced post-secondary training in a specialized field related to the environment or other relevant areas of work plus ten years of related experience. Experience working in an environmental organization, government agency or experience with current environmental policies and issues is an asset.

Candidates must be proficient in English and preferably be proficient in at least one other of the three official languages of the CEC (French, and Spanish).

Reporting to the JPAC Liaison Officer, the incumbent will provide support to the JPAC Liaison Officer in fulfilling JPAC objectives as defined in the JPAC work plan, including a number of large public meetings annually, by carrying out the following tasks:

• Participate in planning and conduct of meetings and public consultations involving a wide range of stakeholders, including NGOs, government officials, academics, indigenous and private sector representatives.
• Provide technical as well as overall support to the JPAC Liaison Officer in her duties, including keeping records of commentary during private and public sessions, and preparing the corresponding records of discussion and executive summaries.
• Formulate initial drafts of Advice to Council for JPAC members’ consideration, in close collaboration with the JPAC Liaison Officer. Produce revised drafts as necessary, and edit and review for accuracy and language style.
• Monitor implementation of specified JPAC and TEK activities, review and track progress of deliverables, work needs and budgets.
• Assist the JPAC Liaison Officer in facilitating interactions between JPAC members and TEK experts on issues relating to JPAC Advice, CEC projects, specific requests from the parties, etc.
• Prepare letters, reports and background materials, as needed, to assist the JPAC Liaison Officer in developing initiatives for consideration by JPAC members.
• Provide administrative support to the JPAC Liaison Officer related to the implementation of JPAC work.

Key professional attributes and skills:

• Have experience working in the field of international affairs, environment, or other relevant areas of work.
• Possess superior oral and written communication skills in English.
• Possess effective writing skills to prepare, edit, review various English documents prior to publication.
• Have experience in basic administration, planning and monitoring events and other activities.
• Be able to develop work plans and meet objectives and timelines.
• Possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working in a multicultural environment and a proven ability to work with stakeholders from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate tact, diplomacy, and judgment in performing duties.

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are female, belong to a First Nation (Canada), Native American Tribe (US) or Indigenous Peoples and Communities (Mexico), have a disability, or are a member of a minority group.

Please submit your resumé and cover letter by e-mail; the deadline for receiving applications is 4 January 2016. No phone calls or email message inquiries, please.

Contact:
Human Resources
Commission for Environmental Cooperation
393 St-Jacques West,
Suite 200 Montreal, Quebec, Canada, H2Y1N9
E-mail

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is an international organization created by the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation (NAAEC), the environmental side agreement to the North American Free Trade Agreement, signed by Canada, Mexico and the United States. The CEC's mandate is to facilitate cooperation and public participation to foster conservation, protection and enhancement of the North American environment for the benefit of present and future generations, in the context of increasing economic trade and social links between the NAFTA partners.

We appreciate your interest in the CEC and wish to inform you that only short-listed candidates will be contacted. All resumés will be kept on file for a six-month period and taken into consideration for any suitable vacancies during that time.