Director, Trade (Middle East and Africa)

Job Information

Job Title: Director, Trade (Middle East and Africa)
Job Requisition ID: 85568
Ministry: Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration 
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: September 2, 2026
Classification: Management Senior Manager Zone 2 (M42Z2
Salary: $5,139.3 to $6,526.16 bi-weekly ($134,135 - $170,332/year)
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.

Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration

The Ministry of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration leads the efforts to grow Alberta's economy by delivering strategic programs and services to support Alberta's entrepreneurs and job creators, attract investment, grow trade, strengthen Alberta's industry and ensure Alberta has an innovative and competitive business environment. 

Trade Division

The Trade Division advances Alberta's economic interests internationally by helping Alberta companies expand into global markets, strengthening commercial relationships with key international partners, and identifying new opportunities for trade and export growth.

Trade and Export Expansion Branch

Within the Division, the Trade and Export Expansion Branch works directly with Alberta companies, industry associations, international partners and governments to turn international opportunities into commercial outcomes for Alberta. The Branch provides market intelligence and export advice, connects Alberta companies with international buyers and partners, develops and leads outbound and inbound trade missions, supports participation in major international trade events, and delivers programs and services that help Alberta businesses become export-ready and expand their international presence.

Through geographic teams covering the Americas, Europe, North Asia, Indo-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa, the Branch develops deep market expertise and networks in Alberta's priority international markets. These teams identify emerging opportunities and barriers, build relationships with buyers and commercial partners, and connect Alberta companies with opportunities that can lead to increased exports, new partnerships and long-term market growth.

Working closely with Alberta's international offices, federal partners, industry organizations and other stakeholders, the Trade and Export Expansion team helps position Alberta companies and industries to compete globally and supports the Government of Alberta's broader objectives to diversify markets, increase exports and grow Alberta's economy.
To learn more about the Ministry, please click here: https://www.alberta.ca/jobs-economy-trade-and-immigration.

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Executive Director, Trade and Export Expansion, Director, Trade is responsible for leading Trade Officers and staff to assist Alberta-based organizations, institutions, and associations to gain market access for goods and services in their geographical region. The Director is responsible for providing strategic guidance to the trade team for enhancing Alberta's export readiness and success, building awareness of international opportunities, and generating increased value for the Alberta's economy.

The position supports Minister and senior government officials in engagement with key government and industry contacts in international markets. This position must connect with key stakeholders in foreign markets, support government-to government engagement and advocacy, and understand political and business environments in international markets. The Director also facilitates connections for executive and political leadership in the respective geographic region.

To enhance policy and program support, the director will contribute to the development of sector and market strategies by assessing the political and business environment in international markets. Leading government-to-government engagement and advocacy, coordinate missions within their respective geo-regions and develop program policy for strategic decision making.

Key responsibilities include:

• Ministerial Mission Planning
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Lead development of international export promotion strategy
• Leadership / Mentorship / Employee Development
• Unit / Branch Administration
• Information Requests / Action Requests / Briefings

The Job Description is provided for Further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Systems Thinking: Considers political, environmental, and social factors when addressing issues within the geographic region and incorporates these considerations before providing recommendations and guidance.

• Agility: Works in a politically sensitive and continuously evolving environment, requiring the ability to remain flexible, adapt approaches and behaviours as circumstances change, and provide tailored advice and guidance to diverse clients, stakeholders, and Ministers on a daily basis.

• Develop Networks: Develops and maintains strong working relationships with international stakeholders to understand their export needs and support their success. Works collaboratively with stakeholders and provides guidance using sound judgment, best practices, and past experience.

• Develop Self and Others: Leads and mentors Trade Officers in achieving unit goals and objectives. Supports individual and team success by providing regular feedback, identifying development opportunities, and facilitating training and professional growth.

Qualifications

University graduation in a field related to the position assignment, supplemented by seven years of management experience.

A Master's degree in Business is considered an asset.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

The following knowledge, skills, and abilities are essential for success in this role:

• Foreign language capabilities are considered an asset.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally.
• Ability to obtain and maintain confidential clearance required for the preparation of Premier and Ministerial missions, travel, and briefings.
• Experience in international business, export development, and marketing.
• Understanding of current international, economic, political, and social issues.
• Demonstrated diplomacy skills when representing government in social, political, and business initiatives.
• Sound knowledge of project management approaches and experience leading a variety of project teams to the successful achievement of objectives.
• Knowledge of key concepts in international trade policy and international economic relations.
• Knowledge of Alberta trade policy objectives and the ability to align work activities with those objectives.
• Strong networking skills, including the ability to identify key relationships and convey critical information from varied sources.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

There is one permanent, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

The position is based in Edmonton, with the primary work location at Commerce Place.
A cover letter is required and must clearly demonstrate how your education, experience, and qualifications align with the requirements outlined in this job advertisement.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time, or full-time. For example: January 2020 - June 2022: Assistant (PT three 8 hr shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resources for information. 
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Sam Thomas Mathew at Sam.Thomasmathew@gov.ab.ca.