Head, Foreign Language Services, Level 09

Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) | Service canadien du renseignement de sécurité (SCRS); Ottawa; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

CSIS seeks a senior manager to lead its language services unit, developing annual plans, directing staff, and overseeing translation operations both in-house and via freelance resources. You will manage the unit budget, forecast needs, and ensure high-quality service delivery to domestic and international partners.

The role requires strong leadership, policy interpretation, and experience in language services, with a focus on integrity and collaboration. Most work is performed in-office.

Qualifications

• The undergraduate degree/College diploma must be obtained from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada.
• Higher levels of education could be recognized as experience.
• Two (2) years of experience interpreting and applying policies, procedures, or legislation.

Responsibilities

• Develop annual plans and objectives for the unit and oversee execution.
• Direct employees: set priorities, training, leave, performance evaluation.
• Manage freelance translators and review contracts to supplement language capacity.
• Oversee unit budget and financial forecasting, expenditures, and signing authorities.
• Liaise with internal and external clients to forecast translation needs and optimize service delivery.
• Build working relationships with domestic and foreign partners on language services best practices.

Skills

Create vision and strategy

Mobilize people

Collaborate with partners and stakeh

Promote innovation and guide change

Achieve results

Uphold integrity and respect

Education

Undergraduate degree + 5 years experience

Three-year College diploma + 6 years experience

Two-year College diploma + 7 years experience

Job description

Job Summary

• Manage the activities of the unit by developing annual plans, formulating objectives and overseeing their execution and assigning projects to subordinates;
• Direct employees by establishing priorities, recommending training needs, approving leave, and evaluating work performance;
• Manage the use of freelance translators to supplement in-house language capacity including, determining language requirements, managing staffing process, conducting suitability interviews of translator candidates, and reviewing / approving all freelance translation contracts;
• Manage all financial activities relating to the unit budget by preparing annual and multi-year forecasts, assessing and approving financial commitments, financial planning/forecasting the management of the operating budget and signing authority delegation;
• Liaise with internal and external clients to monitor and forecast translation needs and optimize service delivery;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with domestic and foreign partners, with regard to language services best practices;
• Recommend and implement steps to further the management of a foreign languages function.

Job Summary

• Manage the activities of the unit by developing annual plans, formulating objectives and overseeing their execution and assigning projects to subordinates;
• Direct employees by establishing priorities, recommending training needs, approving leave, and evaluating work performance;
• Manage the use of freelance translators to supplement in-house language capacity including, determining language requirements, managing staffing process, conducting suitability interviews of translator candidates, and reviewing / approving all freelance translation contracts;
• Manage all financial activities relating to the unit budget by preparing annual and multi-year forecasts, assessing and approving financial commitments, financial planning/forecasting the management of the operating budget and signing authority delegation;
• Liaise with internal and external clients to monitor and forecast translation needs and optimize service delivery;
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with domestic and foreign partners, with regard to language services best practices;
• Recommend and implement steps to further the management of a foreign languages function.

Education

• Undergraduate degree and five (5) years of relevant experience* for each criteria below, or
• Three-year College diploma and six (6) years of relevant experience* for each criteria below, or
• Two-year College diploma and seven (7) years of relevant experience* for each criteria below.

The undergraduate degree/College diploma must be obtained from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada. If you completed a program outside of Canada, you will be required to obtain proof of a Canadian equivalency at your expense from an accredited learning institution recognized in Canada.

Any higher level of education (i.e.: Masters, Doctorate) in a related field of study could be recognized as experience.

Experience

• Create vision and strategy
• Mobilize people
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Promote innovation and guide change
• Achieve results
• Uphold integrity and respect

Experience

• Relevant experience is defined as:
• Experience working as a translator, linguist or interpreter in a foreign language context;
• Experience collaborating with internal partners;
• Experience providing advice and guidance to employees, management, and clients with regard to foreign language services.

Candidates Must Also Possess:

• Two (2) years of experience interpreting and applying policies and procedures or legislation and regulations

Key Leadership Competencies

• Create vision and strategy
• Mobilize people
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Promote innovation and guide change
• Achieve results
• Uphold integrity and respect

Assets

• Experience formally supervising and directing staff, which includes establishing priorities, assigning work, evaluating performance, and determining training needs;
• Experience recommending and implementing process improvements or strategic initiatives in a foreign language context;
• Experience managing staffing processes, including conducting interviews, assessing candidate qualifications, and onboarding personnel;
• Experience managing financial activities and budgets, including preparing annual or multi-year financial forecasts, tracking expenditures, and assessing/approving financial commitments;
• Experience and knowledge in testing and quality control for foreign languages

Official Language (OL) Proficiency

The immediate need is to staff one position with a linguistic profile of bilingual imperative CBC/CBC.

Second language evaluations will be offered to candidates. For more information on language requirements: ( www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/language-requirements-candidates ).

Notes

While we continue to explore opportunities for flexible work arrangements, t he majority of work in our organization must be done in the office and cannot be performed at home.

If you need accommodations during the recruitment process, please mention it to the HR representative.

Organizational Considerations

Employment Equity Gaps have been identified among Indigenous Peoples and Persons with Disabilities for this position. You are invited to voluntary self-declare if you belong to any of these groups in your cover letter, as this information will be considered in the selection process.

Security Requirements

Candidates must be eligible to receive an Enhanced Top Secret security clearance. The process involves a security interview, a polygraph, and a background investigation that includes credit and financial verifications. The use of illegal drugs is a criminal offense. Drug use is an important factor considered in your reliability and suitability assessment during the selection process. Therefore, it is important not to use any illegal drugs from the time you submit your application.

Others

Applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet each Education and Experience criteria. Failure to do so will result in the applicant being screened out of the career opportunity. CSIS is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA) . CSIS has its own classification, compensation system, and a different staffing regime. As such, we use a different staffing process and terminology. CSIS is committed to building a workforce that is truly representative of the Canadians it serves by cultivating a diverse and inclusive workplace environment. This will be achieved by increasing employment equity group representation (including persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, and women) at all levels within the organization through hiring and talent management practices. Gaps have been identified among Indigenous peoples and visible minorities for this position. We will also ensure that appropriate accommodations are made (e.g., specialized equipment, changes to physical workspace) to provide employment opportunities for all qualified candidates. In support of achieving a greater, diverse and skilled workforce, we strongly encourage those individuals who belong to one or more of the employment equity groups to self-identify when applying. Should you require accommodation in relation to a disability, please tell us at the beginning of the selection process. This information will be kept confidential. CSIS Offices in Canada are located on various ancestral and traditional lands. In the spirit of reconciliation, we acknowledge all Indigenous People across Canada and their connection to these lands. The personal information provided in your application is protected under the Privacy Act and will be held in Personal Information Bank SIS/P-PU-025.