Trade Policy Advisor

Job Information
Job Title: Trade Policy Advisor

Job Requisition ID: 88765
Ministry: Agriculture and Irrigation
Location: Edmonton

Full or Part-Time: Full time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Temporary (18 months with possible extension)

Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: November 24, 2026
Classification: Program Services 4

Salary: $3,148.20 - $4,126.82 bi-weekly ($82,168 - $107,710/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 career opportunities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation is responsible for the policies, legislation, regulations, programs, and services that enable Alberta’s agriculture and food sectors to flourish and contribute to Alberta’s economic recovery and growth. The ministry’s role is diverse, ranging from food safety and industry growth and diversification to increasing investment and supporting growth in rural Alberta. The ministry also supports foundational programs like irrigation and agricultural societies that help create strong rural communities and resilient agriculture sectors.

Alberta has long been an agricultural powerhouse, as a leading producer of canola, wheat, dry peas, barley and cattle, and now with its thriving food processing sector. Alberta has built an international reputation as a reliable source of agriculture and food products, technology and expertise. The province’s open business environment and natural advantages contribute to its strength as a major exporter of primary commodities and manufactured products.

In 2025, Alberta exported a total of $17.1 billion of primary agriculture commodities and value-added agriculture products.

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about trade policy, international markets and turning complex issues into strategic advice? Join a collaborative team working to advance Alberta’s agricultural trade priorities and create opportunities for the province’s agriculture and agri-food sector. You will tackle emerging trade issues, build relationships across governments and industry, support international engagements and trade missions, and help shape strategies that strengthen Alberta’s access to global markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic advice and recommendations on Alberta’s agricultural trade priorities, positions and approaches.
• Research and analyze trade agreements, tariffs, barriers, geopolitical developments and emerging issues to assess impacts on Alberta’s agriculture and agri-food sectors.
• Prepare briefings, reports, correspondence and recommendations for senior leaders and decision-makers.
• Coordinate departmental and stakeholder input to advance Alberta’s trade interests, address barriers and identify market opportunities.
• Plan and support Ministerial and senior executive trade advocacy, including missions, incoming delegations, itineraries and engagement activities.
• Build and maintain relationships and information networks with government, industry, provincial-territorial and international partners.
• Monitor trade developments and maintain current intelligence on regional, bilateral and international priorities, risks and opportunities.
• Support broader branch priorities through special projects, cross-team collaboration and leadership coverage, as required.

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: Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them:

• Takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities.
• Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives.
• Works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values.
• Works with others to identify areas for collaboration.

Creative Problem Solving: Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues:

• Engages perspective to seek root causes.
• Finding ways to improve complex systems.
• Employing resources from other areas to solve problems.
• Engage others and encourage debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks.

Agility: Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks:

• Identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same.
• Proactively explains impact of changes.
• Anticipates and mitigates emotions of others.
• Anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals.
• Make decisions and act in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan.

Develop Networks: Leverages relationships to build input and perspective:

• Looks broadly to engage stakeholders.
• Open to perspectives towards long-term goals.
• Actively seeks input into change initiatives.
• Maintains stakeholder relationships.

Build Collaborative Environments: Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict:

• Encourages broad thinking on projects and works to eliminate barriers to progress.
• Facilitate communication and collaboration.
• Anticipates and reduces conflict at the outset.
• Credits others and get talent recognized.
• Promotes collaboration and commitment.

Qualifications

The minimum requirement is a University Degree preferably in Policial Science, International Relations, Public Administration, Economics or related, plus a minimum of four (4) years of progressively related work experience in trade policy,

Equivalencies maybe considered - directly related education or experience considered based on:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

Additional Requirement

• Experience working in trade and the movement of products.

Assets

• Proficiency in applying sound economic, political science, public administration and policy principles to provide advice on diverse policy issues. Able to anticipate risk and adapt with sensitivities.
• Strong communication skills: ability to bridge technical research with layperson understanding, write for a variety of different audiences, concise and clear communication.
• Broad knowledge of agriculture and agri-food industry and its applications.
• Experience supporting senior-level officials through briefings, development of advice and recommendations, as well as experience with managing a program budget and contract is an asset.

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

Notes

Position Information

• Office located in Edmonton, J.G.O’Donoghue Building (7000-113 Street).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week (18-month temporary full time with possible extension).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).

Other Application Information

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience align with the role.
• This position may require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• 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.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• 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 online. Please see Job Application Resources for more 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 also 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.

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.