OTTAWA – The job of chair of the CBC has been open since past chair Carole Taylor decided to get into politics in British Columbia. CBC CEO Robert Rabinovitch has been filling in but the federal government has decided now’s the time for a new chair.
So, if you’re interested… the posting is out today. Time for the speculating on who’ll get the post to begin.
CANADIAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION
Chairperson (part-time position)
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Canada’s national public broadcaster, was created by an Act of Parliament on November 2, 1936, and now operates under the 1991 Broadcasting Act. As a federal Crown corporation and member of the Canadian Heritage Portfolio, the CBC is responsible for providing, in both official languages, national radio, television and Internet-based services to all regions of the country. The CBC provides a wide range of programming that reflects Canadian attitudes, opinions, ideas, values and artistic creativity and is specifically mandated with the responsibility of reflecting the realities of Canada’s multicultural, multiracial and Aboriginal communities in its television and radio programming.
The board of directors is responsible for the fulfilment of the purposes and the management of the business, activities and affairs of the corporation. The chairperson is primarily responsible for the effective operation of the Board and ensures the proper conduct of the board meetings in such a way that the corporation carries out its mandate and objectives effectively, provides good value for the funding provided by taxpayers, remains viable and holds management accountable for its performance. The chairperson also ensures that the Board reviews, approves and monitors the corporation’s strategic direction.
The successful candidate must have a degree from a recognized university and experience in the field of broadcasting. Significant experience managing at the senior executive level in large, complex private or public sector organizations as well as significant board experience, preferably as a chairperson, are also essential. In order to achieve the corporation’s objectives and carry out its mandate, the chairperson must be a person of sound judgement and integrity and must have superior interpersonal and communications skills. The ideal candidate must be able to develop effective relationships and trust with the Minister and her Office, the Deputy Minister, the corporation’s senior management, and the CBC’s partners and stakeholders and be able to act as a spokesperson in dealing with the media, public institutions, governments and other organizations.
The preferred candidate must be knowledgeable of the CBC’s mandate and have financial literacy. The chosen candidate must also have an excellent understanding of global, societal, and economic trends, stakeholder concerns, the Government’s current policy agenda, and how all of these relate to the CBC. Knowledge of the roles of the chairperson, the board of directors and the President and CEO and of effective board processes is required.
Proficiency in both official languages is an asset.
The Government is committed to ensuring that its appointments are representative of Canada’s regions and official languages, as well as of women, Aboriginal peoples, disabled persons and visible minorities.
The board of directors meets seven to eight times per year at Headquarters and various CBC production offices located across Canada.
No person may be appointed or continue as chairperson if the person is not a Canadian citizen who is ordinarily resident in Canada and/or if, directly or indirectly, as owner, shareholder, director, officer, partner or otherwise, the person (a) is engaged in the operation of a broadcasting undertaking; (b) has any pecuniary or proprietary interest in a broadcasting undertaking; or (c) is principally engaged in the production or distribution of program material that is primarily intended for use by a broadcasting undertaking.
The selected candidate will be subject to the principles set out in Part I of the Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Code for Public Office Holders. To obtain copies of the Code, visit the Office of the Ethics Commissioner’s Web site at www.parl.gc.ca/oec-bce/site/pages/ethics-e.htm.
This notice has been placed in the Canada Gazette to assist the Governor in Council in identifying qualified candidates for this position. It is not, however, intended to be the sole means of recruitment. Applications forwarded through the Internet will not be considered for reasons of confidentiality.
Interested candidates should forward their curriculum vitae by September 2, 2005, in strict confidence, to the Director, Portfolio Affairs Office, Canadian Heritage, 25 Eddy Street, 3rd Floor, Room 88, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0M5, (819) 994-8097 (fax).
Further details about the corporation and its activities can be found on its Web site at www.cbc.radio-canada.ca/home.asp.
