Contract Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Strategic Placement, Procurement, and Licensing unit supports the Policy, Practice, and Program Development Branch of the Child Intervention Delivery Division. Work within this team, unit, and branch impacts province-wide policy, program and practice development by finding innovative solutions and recommending best practices to improve the way we operate.

This position reports to the Manager, Procurement and Contracts team. The Contract Specialist plays an integral role in effectively planning, procuring, evaluating, managing, reporting on, and administering various types of contract and grant agreements. The Contract Specialist draws on a strong working knowledge of social programs, including service design, implementation and delivery. Familiarity with associated legislative, policy and practice frameworks is critical to plan for, procure and monitor services that meet the needs of Ministry stakeholders.  This position works as part of a high-performing team of professionals focused on ensuring positive outcomes for children and families through effective procurement strategies. 

This position is significantly involved in strategic initiatives, capacity building and best practices for contracting and procurement approaches.  

As a Contract Specialist, your role includes:

Planning: 

• Identify trends and opportunities to procure high-quality, effective services that meet the needs of children, families, and the Ministry
• Conduct research and analysis to identify evidence-based opportunities for program improvement and offer viable recommendations to leadership.
• Lead and manage complex projects through all phases, including planning, analysis, stakeholder engagement, implementation, and evaluation.
• Manage a high volume of contracts, grants, and related activities in a fast-paced environment while meeting strict timelines and quality standards.
• Adapt quickly to shifting priorities, emerging issues, and changing business needs
• Review and enhance procurement processes to ensure compliance, efficiency, and alignment with legislative and policy requirements.
  
  

Relationship Management & Communication: 

• Build, maintain, and leverage collaborative relationships with internal and external stakeholders to identify service gaps and support program objectives
• Facilitate discussions, consultations, and presentations for diverse audiences, including senior leadership, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Lead collaborative stakeholder sessions to align contract deliverables with program goals, ensuring mutual understanding and commitment to supporting children and families.
• Prepare briefing notes, reports, recommendations, and other materials that support informed, evidence-based decision-making.
• Collaborate with Indigenous partners to ensure procurement approaches and service agreements reflect cultural considerations and Truth and Reconciliation principles.
• Serve as a strategic resource to support priority initiatives across the unit, branch, regions, and department.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:  University graduation in a related field (Social Sciences, Public Administration, Business, Education, Social Work or related) plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; OR
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education 
  
  

Related experience: 

• Extensive experience in planning, budgeting, resource allocation, financial acumen, preferably in a public sector context.
• Experience with legislative/statutory requirements relevant to, procurement and contract management.
• Strong grasp of market research and research methods, asset management principles (condition, risk, lifecycle), and the interrelationships among province, municipalities, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, and industry associations.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills for briefings and presentations to effectively convey complex information to senior officials, team members and stakeholders.
• Strong demonstrated collaboration and relationship-building skills.
• Strong organizational and project management skills.
• Extensive experience leading and facilitating meetings, committees, working groups, and governance bodies involving diverse internal and external stakeholders. Demonstrated ability to build consensus, foster collaboration, navigate competing interests, and drive decision-making to achieve strategic objectives, organizational mandates, and ministry priorities.
  
  

Assets: 

• Experience working in cross-functional teams.
• Experience with negotiation, implementation, and monitoring of cost, schedule, quality and deliverables.
• Practical experience designing and executing evaluation tools (e.g., performance indicators, outcome measurement) within a social services context.
• Proven experience with community-based resources and proven success in fostering and maintaining stakeholder relationships.
• Project Management Professional certification.
• Knowledge of Alberta's Children and Family Services related acts, regulations, policies, and procurement, contract and grant frameworks.

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

Notes

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday – 36.25 hours per week.

This position will end on or before August 1, 2027 with the possibility of an extension.

Application Requirements:  As part of the application process, you are required to:

• Complete all pre-screen questions.
• A cover letter outlining why you are applying to this role and how your experience relates to the qualifications is required.
• Complete any applicable pre-employment documentation requirements.
• In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 – June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
• A written assessment may be required in addition to a formal interview.
• Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

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 we have to offer: 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance