Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Advisory Councils Secretariat Branch, the position supports the Advisory Councils Secretariat Branch, in the  System Refocusing Division. The work includes secretariat work, planning and supporting meetings, working directly with members and internal and external stakeholders, managing the administration of the council, recruiting members, managing stakeholder engagement, establishing and maintaining effective relationships, leading engagement activities, developing work plans, engagement with the public, and developing reports.
 

Specific responsibilities for the position include: 

1) Secretariat to advisory councils and panels

   a) Establishes and maintains effective relationships with council and panel members
   b) Plans council meetings and collaborates with the Chair to develop agendas and identify information needs.
   c) Develops supporting materials through research or consultation with experts and delivers presentations to support strategic discussion.
   d) Gathers input to inform actions to improve health care delivery across the province.
   e) Liaises with provincial health organizations and Alberta Health to ensure flow of information.

 
2) Managing administration of the councils and panels

    a) Provides logistical supports for the regional councils meetings which will be taking place in various regions (e.g., booking meeting room, catering, note-taking). 
        The majority of meetings are held after hours to accommodate daytime schedules of our Council volunteers.
    b) Manages expenses of council members e.g., supports council members accessing the expense system and inputting information.
    c) Identifies needs and supports recruitment activities of council members to represent a wide and diverse range of expertise and perspectives.
    d) Identifies and manages emerging issues.

 
3) Manages stakeholder engagement

   a) Establishes and maintains effective relationships with stakeholders and communities.
   b) Leads engagement activities with a diverse range of both internal and external stakeholders to identify, elevate, and address community issues and opportunities.
   c) Provides planning and logistical supports for engagement activities
   d) Exercises a high degree of interpersonal skills with stakeholders to support the development of program policy.

 
4) Provides strategic advice, policy support, and develops a wide range of strategic and programmatic communication materials.

  a) Identifies, analyzes and assesses information to develops accurate, strategic and comprehensive advice.
  b) Prepares reports, recommendations, briefing materials for management and/or external stakeholders for information and/or decisions.
  c) Analyzes information and assessing alternative means of meeting policy objectives, including the review of initiatives of other jurisdictions, and evaluating the various implications of these       options.
  d) Manages projects within tight deadlines to support the health system refocusing division.
  e) Leads divisional and strategic program and/or policy content and pro-actively mitigates concerns and advocates program priorities.

Please click on the link to review the job description for this position. 

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (Public Policy, Public Health, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Communications, Political Science or Business) plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

The following experience is required:

• Extensive experience in understanding and analyzing competing interests of stakeholders to develop program policies.
• Experience in planning, leading, and managing projects
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• Advanced skills in MS Office including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
• Stakeholder or public engagement (planning, facilitating)
• Must have a valid Class 5 Driver’s license
• Must be available to travel independently throughout the province and able to work evenings and weekends as required.
  
  

The following are considered assets: 

• Knowledge of Government structures and procedures
• Understanding of Government of Alberta decision making processes and practices
• Experience working with and advising a diverse range of stakeholders including rural, remote, and Indigenous communities
• Experience in research methodologies, data analysis, and preparing recommendations
• Understanding of the healthcare system in Alberta
• Certified Public Participation Professional (IAP2 Certificate)
• Working knowledge of the interrelationship between the province and federal government.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

We are hiring three full-time positions and one position that is up to 18 months, working 36.25 hours per week. 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 

Links and information on what the GoA have to offer to prospective employees.
   

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.ca.
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.