Parliamentary Affairs Advisor

HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTORATE

DIRECTION DES RESSOURCES HUMAINES

**Parliamentary Affairs Advisor - Office of the Honourable Senator Michèle Audette**

**Directorate**: Senators’ HR Services | Human Resources Directorate

**Classification**: Not set

**Job Type**:Indeterminate (Permanent) Full-Time

**Location**: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

**Closing Date**: March 15th, 2024

**About the Senate**

The Senate plays a unique role in shaping our country’s democracy. As members of the upper house of Parliament, senators examine legislation, study public policy, champion causes and conduct interparliamentary diplomacy.

As a workplace, the Senate is composed of dynamic people representing our nation’s diverse talents, backgrounds and perspectives. We are committed to building and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone is provided full and equal opportunity and access to employment, development and advancement. Build and advance your career by joining a team of dedicated professionals who are committed to excellence in support of senators and the institution.

**How will you contribute?**

General Responsibilities

Working closely with the Senator and his team, the Parliamentary Affairs Advisor conducts research and writes clear/succinct briefing notes to advise the Senator on strategic questions related to his work in the chamber and on the Senate committees of which he is a member, namely the Standing Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology and the Standing Senate Committee on Official Languages. The Parliamentary Affairs Advisor writes short and long speeches for all the Senator's parliamentary activities.

Summary of duties

The Parliamentary Affairs Advisor is responsible for advising and informing the Senator about a wide range of strategic issues and for supporting the Senator in his parliamentary work. The Parliamentary Affairs Advisor's duties include, but are not limited to, the following:
Legislation / Advice
- Advise the Senator about Senate business and other relevant matters.
- Explain complex issues clearly and succinctly in an accessible way.
- Prepare questions for Committees and Senate business, briefing notes and speeches on various issues.
- Performing case management and dealing with various issues on behalf of the Senator.
- Keep abreast of Senate and House of Commons proceedings, as well as political sensitivities, in order to advise the Senator.
- Attend committee meetings and other briefings.
- Attend meetings of the Independent Senators Group (ISG) and notify the Senator of any relevant information.

Liaison
- Liaise and work with the offices of various parliamentarians at all levels of government, including minister’s offices.
- Liaise with civil society organizations.
- Draft or oversee the drafting of official correspondence to ministers, Senators and Members of Parliament.

Communications and coordination
- Draft news releases and advise the Senator on media inquiries.
- Write brief texts to be posted on the Senator's social media accounts and ensure their publication.
- In collaboration with other members of staff, oversee the organization of events initiated by the Senator's Office.
- Carry out other tasks at the Senator’s request.

**Open to**

The general public to staff indeterminate full-time positions in the office of the Honourable Senator Michèle Audette

Please note that “indeterminate” refers to an employment contract with no specified end date.

**Prerequisites**
- University degree from a recognized university in political science, law, business or any other field related to the duties of the position and/or an acceptable combination of education, training and experience;
- Extensive and recent experience in researching, analyzing and assessing a broad range of information and making recommendations;
- Extensive and recent experience in writing documents such as briefing notes, reports, statements and speeches;
- Experience in providing strategic advice to senior officials on a variety of politically sensitive issues;
- Experience in developing and maintaining relationships with senior officials and/or parliamentarians;
- Extensive experience in using the MS-Office suite;
- Knowledge of communication techniques, methods and practices and the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing;
- Strategic and organized thinker with the ability to coordinate and multi-task to accomplish a variety of activities with tight timelines;
- Ability to work in french is a must; both official languages (French and English) is considered an asset;
- Knowledge of parliamentary procedure is considered an asset, as is knowledge of strategic communications, including media and social media.

**Competencies**

Integrity
Respect
Service
Communication
Judgement
Adaptability
Dependability
Teamwork and Cooperation
Action Management
Attention to detail

**Organizational Needs**

The Senate of Canada is committed to building and maintaining an inc