Honorary Consul of Canada in Richmond, Virginia

Call for applications

The Embassy of Canada in Washington D.C is seeking applications from interested parties to serve as Canada's Honorary Consul in Richmond, Virginia.

Following changes to the Government of Canada's most recent Governor in Council Appointment Process through which Honorary Consuls are selected, the Embassy is required to run a formal competition with a view to ensuring open, transparent and merit-based selection processes. Incumbents are eligible to reapply. 

Remuneration: Honorarium*: $20,000 per annum
*an honorarium is an ex gratia payment made to a person in recognition of his or her services for a fixed term.
Term Details: Honorary Consul appointments are valid for a period of five years.
Date Posted: Wednesday, December 22, 2021.
Closing Date: Friday, February 4, 2022, 11:59 PM (EST).

Role of the Honorary Consul

Honorary Consuls provide an additional resource on the ground, extending the reach of Canada's diplomatic mission network to advance the country's national interests in the United States. In the Commonwealth of Virginia, the successful candidate will work closely with the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., proactively identifying opportunities and offering an important local and regional perspective on issues of importance to Canada in Virginia.

In collaboration with the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., the Honorary Consul will:

• Facilitate access for Canadian officials to key decision-makers and influencers in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including through meetings, events and speaking opportunities.
• Meet with community leaders, including major corporate and government partners in the area, as well as civil society organizations, for the express purpose of delivering Canadian advocacy messages on priority areas, including trade, economic, environment, and security issues.
• Provide strategic intelligence and advice, verbally and through written reports, on key aspects of Canada-U.S. and Canada-Virginia relations as seen from the local perspective, and make recommendations on opportunities for the Canadian embassy to advance Canadian objectives.
• Represent the Embassy, as appropriate and when requested, at events that provide an opportunity for Canadian promotion and advocacy.
• Contribute tangibly to the furtherance of the Government of Canada's diversity, equity and inclusion agenda through connections with equity-deserving groups in Virginia.
• Advise the Embassy's commercial team in support of Canadian business clients in Virginia and of Canada's Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) goals and programing. This may include, for example, facilitating introductions to local business executives and proactively sharing business or investment leads with the mission's commercial team.
• Develop programs for and assist with high-level visits to Virginia, including program and logistical advice and reporting as required. 

Essential qualifications

In order to be considered, your written application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications):

• A tangible connection to Canada such as education in Canada or work experience / professional affiliation with a Canadian company or organization, etc.
• Sound judgment, a solid reputation and good standing in the local community, validated through a media review, reference checks and a "reliability" security clearance.
• Good professional standing and extensive connectivity with local community associations (such as those representing equity-deserving groups), business and political networks.
• Reside in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
• Established professional relationships with relevant contacts and experience working with local officials.
• Consideration may be given to candidates who reside in Virginia, but outside of the Greater Richmond Region.

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job):

• Written Communication in English: Presents and describes concepts and issues in a clear, concise and effective manner.
• Verbal Communication in English: Communicates in a clear and persuasive manner.
• Strategic Thinking: Understands and processes complex information, and exercises sound judgment in considering the issues, key players and intricacies of the situation in order to propose a course of action that furthers the objectives and priorities of the Government of Canada.
• In-depth knowledge of local business and political dynamics.
• Capacity to engage extensive local business and political networks.
• Ability to build positive and effective working relationships at all levels of government, including public officials at the, municipal, state and federal levels.
• High ethical standards and integrity.

Asset qualifications

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job):

• Proficiency in French.
• Independent means.
• Availability of a suitable location for an office.
• Reside in the Greater Richmond Region (Charles City County, Goochland County, Henrico County, Powhatan County, Chesterfield County, Hanover County, New Kent County, City of Richmond).
• Special consideration may be given to individuals from equity-deserving groups in order to increase the overall gender parity and expand the diversity of our U.S. network of Honorary Consuls.

Conditions of appointment

• Eligibility for a Government of Canada Reliability Status, which includes a criminal and credit background check.
• Attestation of vaccination against Covid-19.
• Compliance with the Canadian government Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders.
• Compliance with the Canadian Government Conflict of Interest Act.

Consideration will not be given to candidates who:

• Occupy any governmental position in their state of residence;
• May be unable to deliver the program due to other commitments;
• Are active in politics;
• May have a real, apparent or potential conflict of interest.

Selection procedure

The selection process will consist of a review of all applications to ensure that candidates meet the essential requirements.

Please note that failure to meet any of the essential requirements will eliminate a candidate from further consideration. Only those applicants who meet these will be contacted for an interview or other form of assessment.

The assessment may include an interview, reference checks and other elements that will consist of a series of questions designed to evaluate each candidate's knowledge, abilities, and personal suitability for the position.

Once a successful candidate is chosen, the recommendation will go through Canada's Order in Council process – a multi-step process that involves approval by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister of Canada. The process can take a number of additional months to complete.

Method of application

Please submit a résumé and a cover letter to WSHDCTD@international.gc.ca by the closing date.

It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each essential qualification. Failure to do so could result in your application being rejected. All communications relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.