Communications Specialist - Bilingual (French/English)

Leverage your deep understanding of Ontario's Francophone community and your bilingual communication skills to maintain an ongoing dialogue between the ministry and the community. Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders, and use your expertise in media relations and issues management to address emerging trends. This role offers the opportunity to develop strategic communications plans, participate in media relations, and support the development of digital communication, all while fostering effective working relationships and leading communication initiatives. If you are passionate about the Francophonie, want to make a difference and have the skills to drive impactful communication strategies, we want to hear from you!

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?In this role, you will:
• consult with MFA management to provide expert advice on communications plans, strategies, policies, programs, and services, including brand promotion and information presentation for target audiences.
• develop comprehensive communications plans for new policies, programs, and stakeholder relations, ensuring integration with policy and program development from inception.
• coordinate communication products by planning, developing, and establishing project plans, priorities, timelines, and managing contracts with suppliers.
• provide bilingual communications services by preparing announcements, news releases, speeches, web pages, and other materials, ensuring accuracy and consistency.
• engage in media relations by crafting key messages, supporting public-facing communication efforts, and collaborating with media relations teams from other ministries to ensure a consistent voice.
• monitor media coverage to identify and analyze media coverage, ensuring accuracy and recommending appropriate responses, while managing contracts with media monitoring vendors.
• prepare and distribute daily news clippings to relevant stakeholders and prepare issue and briefing notes.
• evaluate the effectiveness of communications plans by identifying media trends and recommending new or revised strategies and tactics.
• liaise with other ministries to ensure compliance with MFA bilingual communications guidelines for all communication products related to new programs and initiatives.
• support digital communications by overseeing and updating MFA website content to ensure it aligns with organizational standards, including accessibility. Additionally, actively plan, create content, and collaborate with partner ministries to enhance the ministry's presence on social media platforms.

How do I qualify?MandatoryYou must possess oral and written French language skills at the superior level. Your proficiency level will be confirmed before hire.

Communication SkillsYou can demonstrate:
• an understanding of Ontario's Francophone community and incorporating Francophone culture, concerns, and issues into communication strategies, policies, programs, and services
• an ability to write a variety of materials, including news releases, statements, issue notes, strategies, and speeches
• an ability to craft clear and persuasive messages for different audiences and platforms
• proficiency in digital and social media platforms, including knowledge of content management systems, managing online communities, and monitoring social trends to inform communication strategies
• knowledge of media organizations and relations, advertising, and publication production techniques
• an ability to write and edit in both English and French

Analytical SkillsYou can demonstrate an ability to:
• learn and apply knowledge of the French Language Services Act and its application
• coordinate and integrate communications activities with policy and program development
• assess communication requirements for target audiences and develop communication strategies, products, and services
• evaluate and identify communication concepts and messages
• establish project plans and schedules

Organization and Prioritization SkillsYou can demonstrate:
• an ability to organize and prioritize tasks effectively, ensuring that numerous tight deadlines are met

Interpersonal and Consultation SkillsYou can demonstrate:
• presentation and interpersonal skills with the ability to foster effective working relationships
• an ability to provide leadership in directing a project, including with colleagues, partner ministries, and external stakeholders
• consultative skills to advise clients and colleagues on communications activities and media relations
• cultural sensitivity and the capacity to work collaboratively with diverse teams

Project Management SkillsYou can demonstrate:
• project management and multitasking skills to plan, develop, and coordinate the production of communications materials
• an ability to supervise the work of vendors, and suppliers and manage tendering processes

Additional Information:

Note:

• This ad is also available in French.

How to apply:

1. You must apply online.
2. Your cover letter and resume combined should not exceed five (5) pages. For tips and tools on how to write a concise cover letter and resume, review the Writing a Cover Letter and Resume: Tips, Tools and Resources.
3. Customize your cover letter and resume to the qualifications listed on the job ad. Using concrete examples, you must show how you demonstrated the requirements for this job. We rely on the information you provide to us.
4. Read the job description to make sure you understand this job.
5. OPS employees are required to quote their WIN EMPLOYEE ID number when applying.
6. If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in the recruitment process, please Contact Us to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team will contact you within 48 hours.

Please be advised that the results of this competition may be used to form an eligibility list of qualified candidates to potentially fill future vacancies represented by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU). In accordance with the Collective Agreement, eligibility lists are shared with OPSEU representatives. By applying to this competition, you are providing consent that your name may be shared with OPSEU representatives.

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, November 29, 2024 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.

All Ontario Public Service external job advertisements are posted in English and French. To confirm the language requirements of a job, check the "language of position" information at the top of each job ad. For all positions, candidates will be assessed in English, the business language of the Ontario Public Service. For English/French designated bilingual positions, candidates will also be assessed through French-language proficiency testing.

Toutes les offres d'emploi externes de la fonction publique de l'Ontario sont affichées en anglais et en français. Pour connaître les exigences linguistiques, vérifiez les renseignements sur la « langue du poste » figurant dans le haut de chaque offre d'emploi. Pour tous les postes, l'évaluation des candidates et candidats se fera en anglais, la langue usuelle de la fonction publique de l'Ontario. En ce qui concerne les postes désignés bilingues, la maîtrise du français des candidates et candidats sera également évaluée.

Note: The only website where you can apply on-line for positions with the Ontario Public Service is http://www.gojobs.gov.on.ca

Apply Online