James Christoff (BA [Political Science], Concordia University, 1991; BPR, Mount Saint Vincent University, 1993; MPA, Royal Military College of Canada, 2017) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 1999. In Ottawa, Mr. Christoff has served as executive director, Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; director of communications, Afghanistan Task Force; press secretary and spokesperson in the Office of the Minister of Foreign Affairs; and communications manager for Team Canada trade missions. Abroad, he has served as ambassador to South Sudan, deputy high commissioner in Nigeria, political counselor in Kenya and in the Philippines, and senior public diplomacy officer in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He is a graduate of the National Security Programme at the Canadian Forces College.