Statement of Merit Criteria
2012–13 University Recruitment Campaign

Essential Qualifications

1. Education

a) Degree

Candidates must have or be working on a Master’s degree from a recognized university in one of the following fields:

• Economics
• Public policy/administration
• International relations/studies
• Finance

Candidates must be able and willing to successfully complete their Master’s degree by December 31, 2013. Candidates hired will participate in the Economic and Social Sciences Services Developmental Program (ECDP) and be eligible for appointment to the next level once they graduate with their Master’s degree.

b) Specialization in economics

University coursework must include the equivalent of at least three full-year undergraduate or graduate courses in economics (or six half-year courses) by the time of graduation. Candidates who have a concentration in finance at the Master’s degree level and three or more half-year post-secondary courses in economics will be considered.

c) Academic excellence

Candidates must have obtained a 75 per cent or equivalent grade point average (GPA) for their last completed degree.

2. Official language proficiency

Applicants must be proficient in one or both official languages depending on the position being staffed:

• English or French essential
• Bilingual imperative: BBB/BBB

3. Essential abilities

a) Ability to analyze and synthesize information to understand issues and identify economic, social, and/or financial implications

b) Ability to communicate effectively in writing

c) Ability to communicate effectively orally

Asset Qualifications

Depending on the position, hiring managers may establish asset merit criteria specific to the position being staffed. The asset qualifications (under education and experience) used at the screening stage are listed below. The following abilities may be assessed during the interview and reference process.  Candidates will be informed should additional asset qualifications be added to the selection process.

1. Education

a) Academic excellence:

• Candidates having obtained academic scholarships, prizes, and/or awards.
• Candidates having obtained high grades in undergraduate and/or graduate courses in the specialization relevant to the position being staffed.

b) Working toward or holding a professional designation relevant to the position.

c)  Relevant specialization* in one or more of the following fields:

• Accounting
• Environmental economics
• Finance
• Human resources management
• International development
• International finance and/or trade
• Law
• Macroeconomics
• Microeconomics
• Public finance (including taxation and fiscal federalism)
• Quantitative methods/econometrics

* Relevant specialization includes undergraduate and graduate courses that will be completed by the time of graduation.

2. Experience

Experience* in one or more of the following fields:

• Economics
• Public policy/administration
• International relations/studies
• Finance

* The experience is to have been acquired within the last five years and can be demonstrated through a combination of volunteer work, student employment (e.g. Teacher’s Assistant, Research Assistant) and/or work experience. 

3. Abilities

a) Ability to apply critical judgment to support sound decision making

b) Ability to organize time and work

c) Ability to locate and collect data/information from appropriate sources

d) Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with others

e) Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines

f) Ability to conduct a comprehensive analysis of a given issue and communicate the findings persuasively in writing

Organizational Needs

Selection may be limited to members of the following employment equity groups: Aboriginal persons, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and women.

Conditions Of Employment

Reliability and Security: Secret

This factor is not used at the pre-selection stage. The Department of Finance is responsible for the security clearance process.