REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES AND EXPERIENCE IN GR

A GR Practitioner must possess the following knowledge, skills and abilities and be able to explain and demonstrate that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Knowledge (acquired information necessary to do the job). Knowledge required of the position Basic:  knowledge of the fundamental concepts of GR. Intermediate: Broad job knowledge; knowledge and application of the full range of concepts, practices of GR. Advanced: Recognized expertise, application of knowledge of the overall field of GR, application of principles, practices and procedures within the field of GR to complete difficult assignments.

Skills refer to the proficient verbal or mental manipulation of data.  Skills can be readily measured by a performance test where quantity and quality of performance are tested, usually within an established time limit.  

Abilities refer to the power to perform an observable activity at the present time.  This means that abilities have been evidenced through activities or behaviours that are similar to those required on the job. Abilities are different from aptitudes.  Aptitudes are only the potential for performing the activity.

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the legislative, regulatory and political process
• Knowledge of the Parliamentary and Government policy-making processes, including an understanding of the roles and decision points, in the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch and the role of think tanks and associations
• Competency in issues management and corporate positioning for internal and external audiences
• Knowledge of the role of policy and advocacy development in support of of priority issues
• Stakeholder Relations Management

SKILLS

• Superlative interpersonal skills; high degree of patience and tact.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Communication skills (demonstrated) dealing with executives and government leaders
• Strong presentation skills
• Proven coalition-building skills
• Lobbying and Advocacy Skills (Planning and Implementing advocacy campaigns and outreach activities; lobbying government officials with a goal of influencing legislation and regulation in a manner beneficial to company or client)
• Development of government affairs strategies to positively position the company or client represented before local, state and federal government officials as well as non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and other key stakeholders
• Listening Skills and anticipating the intentions of political and administrative decision
• Strategic Skills
• Legislative Policy Skills
• Monitoring relevant legislation/regulation/issues
• Policy Analysis Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Negotiating a common sectoral position, elaborating and implementing intervention and communication strategies
• Media/Public Relations Skills (Coordination with media)
• Teamwork Skills (Proactively demonstrating responsibility, communication and problem solving with other team members to ensure achievement of all company goals; and helping others to succeed)
• Resourceful Skills (Utilizing curiosity and critical thinking and creating solutions; thinking outside the box)
• Objective driven skills (Tenacious in striving to reach goals and consistently pushing self and others to achieve results, getting things done)
• Accountability skills (Taking ownership for achieving goals with urgency and appropriate risk; plans)
• Integrity Skills (Achieving objectives by doing the right things, setting high ethical standards for self and others, abiding by codes of conduct and professional practice, being direct and truthful, admitting mistakes)

ABILITIES

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality of information
• Ability to use PC applications
• Ability to work in a very high paced environment (under pressure)
• Ability to make critical business decisions independently under severe time pressure in highly dynamic environment
• Ability to drive consensus with diverse groups and individuals
• Ability to build a coalition or network at all levels of government and business
• Ability to navigate internal dynamics successfully
• Ability to persuasively communicate complex concepts and programmes at the highest levels of government and business
• Ability (proven ability) to manage, inspire, and grow talent
• Ability to continually raise performance expectations
• Demonstrated interpretative and analytic ability
• Ability to work independently
• Ability to cultivate respectful, strategic and collaborative relationships with people from diverse backgrounds, both internally and externally
• Ability to communicate in English in both verbal and written form
• Ability to work in a challenging environment, where constructive feedback from others is encouraged.
• Ability to organize, prioritize and coordinate multiple tasks under daily deadlines
• Ability to motivate others to advance goals
• Ability to effectively manage multiple projects or roles in a rapidly evolving environment
• Ability (proven) to break down departmental barriers in order to pave new paths which may be in conflict with existing organizational culture
• Ability to negotiate with tact and diplomacy
• Ability to comprehend and predict critical issues, rapidly formulate strategy, execute response plan, and provide appropriate updates to internal leadership
• Ability to identify and map actors, discerning their motivations and their arguments
• Ability to master sources of information, use ICT technologies and appreciate threats and opportunities
• Ability to analyse and interpret a complex situation linked to a politico-administrative evolution
• Ability to find an exhaustive, precise and reliable answer to a question, interpret it and formalize it under a synthesis format.
• Ability to quantify the economic impacts

EXPERIENCE

• Organisational leadership and management experience
• Experience (demonstrated) engaging the regulatory environment
• Successful track record in accomplishing major legislative, regulatory and policy agendas of various complexity
• Experience managing projects
• Experience leading organization-wide culture change
• Deep functional experience in government/public affairs, public policy
• Experience working in a matrixed organisation
• Proven record of accomplishment in complex environment
• Strong operational background as well as the political savvy to quickly react to critical issues
• Experience leading on trade associations and business councils

Assessment of competence is an integral part of competency-based education and training in GR. We need to reconsider the goals and desired outcomes of GR training programmes: what are the components of competent professional practice that we see as essential? What knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviors do we see as comprising an effective, competent training programme?

Core Competencies

1. Research, planning, implementing and evaluating GR communication programmes and projects
2. Application of GR communication models and practices
3. Application of GR strategic communications
4. Managing Issues and Stakeholder Relations
5. Upholding professional standards and practice ethical behavior
6. Demonstration of communication skills (written, oral presentation, negotiation)
7. Effectively managing organizational communication resources (human, financial technological etc.)

Specifics

1. Message Development and Delivery: Using writing skills and editorial judgement to strategically develop messages for various audiences; and delivering them by evaluating the most appropriate media channel(s) for the particular needs of the target audience.
2. Communications: Delivering clear, effective communications and taking responsibility for understanding others.
3. Adaptability: Adapting quickly to change and easily considering new approaches.
4. Advisory Assistance: Providing appropriate guidance, feedback and resources.
5. Collaboration: Working cooperatively with others, inside and outside the organisation, to accomplish objectives to build and maintain mutually-beneficial partnerships, leveraging information and achieving results.
6. Interpersonal Relations: Developing and maintaining effective relationships with others; relating well to people from varied backgrounds and in different situations; showing understanding, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness.
7. Planning and Prioritization: Planning and organizing work activities; managing several tasks at once.
8. Data Gathering and Analysis: Seeking or collecting and synthesizing information from a variety of stakeholders and sources in an objective, unbiased manner to reach a conclusion, goal, or judgement.
9. External and Organisational Awareness: Identifying and understanding how internal and external issues (e.g. economic, political social trends) impact the work of the organisation.
10. Policies and Procedures Knowledge: Understanding and applying knowledge of statutes, regulations, policies and procedures

Key Behaviours

Message Development and Delivery

• Knowledge of the production, communication and dissemination of information and ideas to inform via written, oral, electronic, and visual media.
• Analyzes information needs and determines/develops an information plan and communications products to meet these needs.
• Knowledge of the elements of plain language.
• Plans and conducts evaluations to measure the success of communications plans and products.
• Refines communications plans based on the results of audience research and priorities.
• Writes a variety of communications for example news releases, feature articles, pamphlets, fact sheets and Q & As.
• Prepares communications materials tailored to audiences having different levels of education, interest and points of view.
• Applies knowledge of computer-based information systems, internet applications and technologies to plan, design, and evaluate web sites and pages.

Communications

• Clearly and effectively conveys information verbally.
• Asks appropriate questions.
• Organizes, expresses, and communicates ideas clearly in writing.
• Listens actively; asks clarifying questions and summarizes or paraphrases what others have said to verify understanding.
• Ensures that regular communication occurs based on the needs of the work, the individual, management or the situation.
• Uses analogies, visuals, and other techniques to tailor communications to specific audiences.
• Identifies and uses effective communication channels and methods (e.g., presentations, electronic dissemination, social media).
• Utilizes skill in presenting information, analysis, ideas and positions in a clear, succinct, accurate, convincing manner, as is appropriate with the audience.

Adaptability

• Remains flexible and open to new ideas and encourages others to value change.
• Understands changes in work tasks, situations, and environment as well as the basis for change.
• Thinks and acts effectively under pressure.
• Persists towards solutions and goals in changing circumstances.
• Acknowledges new information and adjusts responses accordingly.
• Adjusts timelines, results and expectations appropriately to changing needs.
• Overcomes obstacles to achieve results.
• Identifies ways to incorporate new practices into existing framework.

Advisory Assistance

• Seeks information to understand problems, expectations, and needs of clients in assigned area.
• Provides accurate and timely guidance.
• Provides ‘resolution-based’ information when identifying problems and recommending solutions.
• Supports leadership and staff by planning, preparing, organizing and managing information and materials.
• Facilitates submissions of required documentation and in the appropriate format.
• Serves as an advisor and resource to improve process, designs, functionality and management.
• Explains documentation and policy requirements and limitations to managers. 

Collaboration

• Identifies, organizes, facilitates and /or sustains mutually beneficial partnerships and alliances with internal and external stakeholders.
• Maintains positive and productive relationships.
• Works with others to share information and achieve goals.
• Works towards goals that benefit the team, which includes contributing ideas and participating in team activities appropriately.
• Fosters an environment that emphasizes knowledge sharing and group participation.
• Facilitates agreement by resolving differences of opinions.
• Resolves conflicts, confrontations and disagreements positively and constructively.
• Identifies when to seek additional outside counsel.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for other administrative staff.
• Serves on committees (e.g., task forces, working groups) to analyze and improve administrative processes and procedures.
• Coordinates efforts with applicable stakeholders to ensure awareness, share information, and provide updates until completion.

Interpersonal Relations

• Relates to people in an open, friendly, and professional manner.
• Cooperates and works to gain support and commitment from others when performing tasks.
• Discusses subjects in a constructive manner, with all levels of staff.
• Fosters cooperation, collaboration, and communication to facilitate consensus and accomplish tasks.
• Demonstrates diplomacy by approaching others about sensitive issues in non-threatening ways.
• Fosters an environment conducive to open, transparent communications among all levels.
• Notices and accurately interprets what others are feeling, based on their word choices, voice tones, facial expressions, and other nonverbal behavior.
• Presents oneself in a professional manner to maintain image and credibility.

Planning and Prioritization

• Organizes work, sets priorities, and determines resource requirements.
• Implements or utilizes strategic plans on a daily basis.
• Determines necessary sequence of activities and the efficient level of resources needed to achieve short and long term goals.
• Recognizes and addresses the interdependences of activities and resources.
• Maintains a high level of energy and commitment to juggle multiple tasks and priorities, and use available resources to get more done with less; all without losing focus.
• Takes advantage of available resources (individuals, processes, departments, and tools) to complete work efficiently.
• Anticipates problems and mitigates risks.
• Uses time effectively and prevents irrelevant issues or distractions from interfering with work completion.
• Provides work-in-progress status updates proactively and informs others when work is completed.
• Coordinates with clients  when problems or conflicts occur that might impact the timely completion of work.
• Negotiates adjustments in timelines and/or scope of work, when appropriate. Consults with supervisor to determine priorities if necessary.
• Sets, commits to, and maintains high standards for quality work and responsiveness in providing administrative services; readily re-adjusts priorities to respond to pressing and changing demands.
• Coordinates with others in response to multiple, competing demands to ensure work is completed in a timely manner.

Data Gathering and Analysis

• Identifies issues, problems, or opportunities and determines if action is needed.
• Gathers and compiles data using various data collection techniques.
• Clearly documents sources and validates the accuracy of data/information to resolve inconsistencies.
• Analyzes and investigates up-to-date information from various sources and in various formats.
• Seeks additional resources when gaps and inconsistencies or variances in data are found.
• Identifies trends in data.
• Organizes and develops data to respond to audits and data calls

External and Organisational Awareness

• Demonstrates an understanding of the organization’s functions and responsibilities.
• Considers organization’s capabilities, mission, vision, values, and strategic goals and objectives in work efforts.
• Knows capabilities, capacities and constraints of the organization.
• Reviews external information and news to learn about political and social issues that might affect the organization.
• Identifies individuals who have the technical expertise to respond to inquiries on specific topics.
• Escalates issues that warrant immediate attention in an effective and timely manner.
• Uses discretion when handling sensitive matters/content.
• Keeps current on formal and information reporting relationships

Policies and Procedures Knowledge

• Maintains comprehensive working knowledge of related statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures affecting assigned areas.
• Ensures work conforms to statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures and is completed within established timeframes.
• Provides advice and guidance concerning statutes, regulations, policies, and procedures.