Director, Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada

The Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to strengthening ties between Canada and Asia with a focus on expanding economic relations through trade, investment, and innovation; promoting Canada’s expertise in offering solutions to Asia’s climate change, energy, food security and natural resource management challenges; building Asia skills and competencies among Canadians, including young Canadians; and improving Canadians’ general understanding of Asia and its growing global influence.

The Five-year Strategic Vision of the Foundation is to be the pre eminent thought-leader within Canada on Asia Pacific affairs and engagement for Canadian governments, Canadian businesses, and the Canadian people. Achieving this Vision will depend on the Foundation adapting their most valuable and innovative research, education, and networking efforts for greatest impact in the region and at home.

This dynamic time of change for the Foundation coincides with the launch by the Government of Canada of an ambitious Indo-Pacific Strategy. This generational strategy presents a comprehensive road map to deepen Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific over the next decade. Under the strategy, an additional investment of $24.5M over five years will support the Asia-Pacific Foundation’s expansion into the region including the establishment of the their first physical presence abroad.

The Foundation is well known for its research and policy work, surveys and polls of Canadian and Asian attitudes around mutual engagement, transpacific networking
activities, and business intelligence gathering, including in the trade and investment, geopolitical, and environment, sustainability, and governance (ESG) spaces.

The Foundation focuses its efforts on the entirety of the Asia-Pacific region, with an ongoing focus on North and Northeast Asia, while also developing expertise and capacity in the economies of South and Southeast Asia.

The Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada is governed by a Board of Directors comprising the Chairperson and up to four directors appointed by the Governor in Council on the
recommendation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, up to 18 directors appointed by the Board, and its President, who is appointed by the Board. All members of the Board are appointed for a term not exceeding three years and may be appointed for a maximum of three terms.

Directors participate in meetings of the Board, which is responsible for setting the strategic directions of the Foundation, managing the endowment fund, appointing the President, and has ultimate responsibility for all the Foundation’s activities.

The Board meets a minimum of twice each year, with at least one meeting held at the Foundation’s principal office in Vancouver.

Diversity and Official Languages

We are committed to providing a healthy and accessible workplace that supports one’s dignity, self-esteem and the ability to work on one’s full potential. With this in mind, all appointees will be expected to take steps to promote and maintain a healthy, respectful, inclusive and harassment-free work environment.

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.

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.

Education and Experience

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


• Experience or expertise concerning relations between Canada and Asia in any sector or area;


• Experience in leadership and decision-making in the private sector, government, non-profit, academic, international development, or international organization sectors;


• Experience maintaining productive and effective relationships with a variety of stakeholders and partners, including government, non-profit, or private sector organizations would be considered an asset; and


• Experience serving as a member of a Board of Directors for a public or private sector organization would be considered an asset.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the mandate, objectives, and mission of the Foundation, as well as the legislative framework within which it operates;


• Knowledge of Canadian economic and political priorities and how they relate to the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada;


• Some knowledge of the operations of the federal government;


• Knowledge of corporate governance and management best practices, investment management, and principles of auditing and evaluation;


• Ability to contribute to the achievement of the Foundation’s mandate and attain its objectives; and


• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with other members of the Board, Foundation executives, and staff, as well as other governments and non-governmental organizations.

Language Requirements

Proficiency in both official languages would be preferred.

• High ethical standards and integrity


• Tact and diplomacy


• Superior interpersonal skills


• Analytical capacities


• Sound judgement and accountability

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 Conflict 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.


• A person is not eligible to be appointed as a director if the person is a member of the Senate or the House of Commons (statutory).


• The successful candidate must be willing to travel in Canada to participate in the Foundation’s Board meetings, which occur at least twice each year, one in Vancouver and the second in another Canadian city. Each regular meeting will have a duration of two days.

A link to this notice will be placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment.

A list of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar opportunities.

How to Apply

Review of applications (more information available here) will begin on January 25, 2023. Candidates should 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 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.