Chairperson, Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a foundation created by the Government of Canada to support Canadian companies with the potential to become world leaders in their efforts to develop and demonstrate new environmental technologies that address climate change, clean air, clean water and clean soil.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada is governed by a 15-member Board of Directors. Seven of these members are appointed by the Government of Canada and the remaining eight by the Members of Sustainable Development Technology Canada. The Board has overall responsibility for strategic direction, oversight of fund management and financial accountability of the Foundation. Key areas, such as strategic planning, applicant funding decisions, risk control strategies, budget approval, integrity of the organization's internal control and management information systems, defining key performance indicators, CEO’s primary objective performance and approval of Officer appointments, are directed by the Board. The Chairperson’s main responsibility is to lead the board of directors, oversees its activities, and is primarily responsible for the effective operation of the Board in fulfilling its duties and responsibilities.

Diversity and Official Languages

The Government of Canada will consider bilingual proficiency and diversity in assessing applicants. You are therefore encouraged to include in your online profile your ability to speak and understand your second official language. Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following groups: women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of a visible minority group.

Education and Experience

• A degree from a recognized university in a relevant field of study, or an acceptable combination of equivalent education, job-related training or experience;
  


• Management experience at the senior executive level, including managing human and financial resources and working with a board of directors;
  


• Extensive experience in dealing with senior industry leaders and senior government officials, as well as experience with large organizations with complex mandates;
  


• Experience serving as a member of a board of directors for a public, private or not-for-profit sector organization, preferably as Chairperson;
  


• Experience in implementing modern corporate governance principles and best practices in a culture of accountability and transparency;
  


• Significant experience in the commercialization of new technology (development and demonstration, intellectual property management, business founder, venture capital, marketing and sales), in both domestic and international markets;
  


• Experience in risk management would be considered an asset; and
  


• Experience with formulating and implementing public policy, especially building collaboration among institutions and programs from different levels of government, and at the international level, would be considered an asset.
  

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate and activities of Sustainable Development Technology Canada, as well as the legislative framework within which it operates;
  


• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of a chairperson of a board of directors, including current best practices in corporate governance, in particular sound financial management;
  


• Knowledge of commercialization of new technology;
  


• Knowledge of the challenges to business start-up and scale-up in domestic and international markets;
  


• Knowledge of the Government of Canada’s priorities related to innovation and climate change;
  


• Knowledge of emerging issues related to sustainable development and export markets;
  


• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with senior leaders in industry, non-government and government officials;
  


• Demonstrated ability to assimilate complex technology proposals in order to make equitable funding decisions;
  


• Ability to support and encourage all directors to contribute effectively to fiduciary and strategic oversight of the foundation, including ability to foster effective working relationships with board members, CEO and stakeholders, facilitate consensus and manage conflicts, should they arise;
  


• Ability to read and understand a set of financial statements that present a breadth and level of complexity of accounting issues; and
  


• Superior communications skills, both written and oral.
  

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• Sound judgment
  


• High ethical standards and integrity
  


• Superior interpersonal skills
  


• Tact and diplomacy
  


• Strategic thinker
  

Eligibility Factors and Conditions of Employment

• Appointees must comply with the Ethical and Political Activity Guidelines for Public Office Holders throughout their appointment as a term and condition of employment. The guidelines are available on the Governor in Council Appointments website under the Forms and reference material.


• All appointees are subject to the Conflicts of Interest Act. Public office holders appointed on a full-time basis must also submit to the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics within 60 days of appointment, a confidential report in which they disclose all of their assets, liabilities and outside activities. For more information, please visit the Office of the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's website.

• Appointees must uphold the highest standards of probity and are expected to demonstrate behaviours in the workplace that afford respect, equality and dignity, to everyone they interact with at work at all times. The Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector outlines the values and expected behaviours for public servants, including valuing diversity and creating workplaces free from harassment and discrimination. Governor in Council appointees are expected to uphold and respect these values and principles in a positive and active manner.
  


• The Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act stipulates that a person is not eligible to be appointed as a director if the person:
  
  
  
  • is a member of the Senate, the House of Commons or the legislature of a province;
    
  
  
  • is an employee or agent of Her Majesty in right of Canada or in right of a province;
    
  
  
  • does not ordinarily reside in Canada; or
    
  
  
  • is disqualified under subsection 105(1) of the Canada Business Corporations Act. That is:
    
    
    
    • You must be a resident of Canada;
      
    
    
    • You must be at least 18 years of age;
      
    
    
    • You must not be an individual who is of unsound mind and has been so found by a court in Canada or elsewhere;
      
    
    
    • You must be an individual (i.e. a corporation cannot be a director); or
      
    
    
    • You must not be in bankrupt status.
      
    
    
    
    
  
  
  
  


• Expenses such as airfare, hotel accommodations, and meals incurred due to Sustainable Development Technology Canada business will be reimbursed as per the Sustainable Development Technology Canada Travel Directive.
  


• You must be available for approximately 15 days per year for Board and related activities and travel.
  


• If you are appointed to this position, you must be willing to travel across Canada.
  

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this positions. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment. A roster of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications will begin on October 12, 2018. Candidates must apply online via the Governor in Council Appointments website. Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their applications by this date. After this date, your application will be retained and may be considered up until an appointment to the position is made. Your cover letter should be addressed to the Deputy Director of Selection Processes, Senior Personnel Secretariat, Privy Council Office, and should be sent only through the online application.

Instructions on how to apply for an appointment opportunity can be found on the Governor in Council Appointments website.