Organization: Global Affairs Canada – International Trade Branch
Job Title: Junior Trade Policy Analyst, Junior Business Analyst
Number of Positions: To be determined (up to 5 positions available)
Work Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Length of term: January to April 2027, full-time (37.5 hrs/week)
Salary: Based on pre-determined Treasury Board Secretariat student rates
Who can apply: Canadian citizens
•Graduate students: $25.17 to $31.69 per hour (based on Treasury Board Secretariat student rates effective May 1, 2025)
•Undergraduate students: $18.84 to $28.30 per hour (based on Treasury Board Secretariat student rates effective May 1, 2025)
For additional information on the organization, please visit Global Affairs Canada’s website.
As of January 13, 2025, Canadian citizenship is a pre-requisite for obtaining Secret security clearance at Global Affairs Canada.
Important Message:
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups designated by the Employment Equity Act when you apply. For more information on employment equity, please visit: Information on employment equity. If you would like to learn more about self-declaration, please consult this website: Self-Declaration Information.
In addition, we are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the process, please use the contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential. For more information on assessment accommodations, please visit: Assessment accommodation.
Mandate:
The International Trade Branch will integrate the trade policy and negotiations and the trade and investment promotion functions of Global Affairs Canada. It will protect and promote Canadian commercial interests and support our business community more seamlessly, by allowing for a joined-up approach that encompasses the full trade toolkit.
Duties:
Selected candidates will support the team they join in a variety of ways, some of which may include the following. This list is not exhaustive.
•Participating in trade negotiations by undertaking research and analysis on Canada’s international trade policy objectives and issues.
•Supporting trade negotiations with partner countries, or at international organizations and forums including the World Trade Organization, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
(APEC), the OECD, the G7 or G20.
•Working with lead negotiators, other Government of Canada departments and agencies, and Canada’s missions abroad on a wide range of matters related to trade negotiations.
•Providing information and conducting analysis on products subject to Canada’s import or export control requirements.
•Helping Canadian companies that have researched and selected their target markets meet their international business objectives through the provision of strategic advice and information, and by leveraging private and public sector networks.
•Analyzing, planning, implementing and promoting activities, initiatives or projects related to trade programs and services that support Canadian business as they engage in global commerce or that promote foreign direct investment in Canada.
•Preparing ministerial question period notes for use in Parliament, ministerial correspondence, communications products, and other documents.
•Assisting in consultations with other Government of Canada departments, agencies, and domestic stakeholders.
•Economic development analyses and other activities pertaining to international trade-related policies, negotiations, and legislation.
A placement in the International Trade Branch allows you to gain valuable experience working with a wide variety of foreign governments, businesses, and Canadian organizations (e.g. other Government of Canada departments and agencies; Canada’s missions abroad; provincial and territorial governments; domestic stakeholders). You could also gain experience contributing to the management of high-profile trade issues, specialized aspects of international trade, Canada’s foreign affairs and international trade policy, and helping companies navigating international markets to grow and diversify their exports.
Intent of the process
A pool of qualified candidates resulting from this process will be created and may be used to offer student employment opportunities within Global Affairs Canada.
The pool created will be used to offer students co-op/internship opportunities primarily for the Winter 2027 term. The duration is normally 16-weeks, with the exact start date to be determined. Some divisions may be seeking 32-week terms. Start and end dates may vary based on university/college policy and employer needs. There is a possibility of work term extension depending upon student availability, performance, and employer needs.
What we are looking for: The International Trade Branch of Global Affairs Canada is seeking co-op students beginning in January 2027. To be considered for this position, your resume and cover letter must clearly describe how you meet the following qualifications:
Essential Qualifications
•Be registered as a full-time post-secondary or graduate student in an accredited academic institution and enrolled in one of the approved Public Service Commission’s student employment programs;
•Be an undergraduate student graduating no later than April 2028 or are a graduate student, or are returning to full-time studies in the next academic return following the applicable term of employment or in their final years of studies and were previously employed under one of the approved student programs.
•List of validated post-secondary academic institutions and programs: https://www5.psc-cfp.gc.ca/coop/noitcanoitutitsnimargorphcraes.do. If your program is not on this list, you cannot be considered for a co-op/internship opportunity.
•Experience* in researching, analysing and writing on subjects related to trade, economics, international business development, international affairs, public administration or public policy;
•Ability to conduct research, analyze and synthesize complex international trade or economic data, and policy information – including technical, statistical, economic, or trade policy documents; and
•Knowledge** of Canadian international trade agreements, negotiations, policy instruments, or measures.
*This experience can be acquired through academic coursework, professional experience, research, or volunteer activities. Relevant programs include those in political science, economics, international relations, global governance, international political economy, mathematics, business administration, marketing, law, journalism, public affairs and policy management, communication and media studies, computer science, human geography, regional studies, social sciences, data science, immigration-related studies, environmental economics, finance, etc.
** we encourage candidates to review our website to learn more about Canada’s trade and investment agreements.
We are looking for someone who:
o Can work under pressure with tight and conflicting deadlines;
o Can work as part of a team;
o Can communicate effectively, both orally and in writing;
o Has great attention to details;
o Has initiative and demonstrates good judgement;
o Experience serving clients; and
o Is a quick thinker and adaptable to a fast-paced work environment.
Asset Qualifications
• Master’s degree in economics, commerce, international relations, political science, political economy, global governance, business administration, law, or a related field;
• Proficiency in both of Canada’s official languages;
• Experience negotiating, developing, or implementing trade policies, business contracts, or economic policy – for either a public or private entity;
• Experience working for the Canadian Public Service;
• Knowledge of Canadian trade policy priorities, the Global Affairs Canada mandate, Canadian public policy processes, and linkages to domestic economic policy objectives.
• Knowledge of international business issues, networks and information sources;
• Knowledge of fundamentals of international marketing, planning, and promotion;
•Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, as well as other MS Office products;
•Familiarity with other statistical programs (e.g. R, Stata, SPSS);
•Experience using collaboration tools and platforms (e.g. GoogleDocs, Zoom, etc.).
Conditions of employment The ability to obtain secret security clearance.
Other information
The ability to communicate in writing will be assessed through your application and cover letter. Other criteria may be required depending on the placement needs and tasks. They may be assessed at a later date through exams, interviews and/or reference checks.
Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. If you are interested in applying for these opportunities, please provide:
How to apply:
•A cover letter (one page maximum) which must include the following:
o Your level of education;
o If you are available for 4 or 8 months;
o Your expected graduation date;
o How you meet the qualifications (Experience, Abilities, Knowledge, and any Asset Qualifications) outlined in this job poster.
o Your citizenship status.
•Your résumé or curriculum vitae.
•Your university transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended.
Applications should be sent by email to the COOP Student Hiring Committee of the International Trade Branch of Global Affairs Canada at processus.COOP.process@international.gc.ca, no later than September 11th 2026, 23:59 Eastern Time.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
Warning on the use of Artificial Intelligence tools:
•Note that the use of open-source AI tools is prohibited, and the suspected use of such tools will result in automatic forfeiture of an application.
Notes:
•Students selected for an interview will be required to provide a letter from their academic institution confirming their enrolment in a qualified co-op/internship program.
•Students may be required to provide two references. Please be prepared to do so should you be successful.
•Successful candidates will be required to obtain a secret security clearance as a condition of employment. If you already have a Government of Canada security clearance, please indicate so in your cover letter.