Special Advisor to the Chief

Role Responsibilities

Are you a politically astute strategic advisor who can bring clarity to complex issues and turn priorities into action? The Alberta Human Rights Commission is seeking a Special Advisor to the Chief of the Commission and Tribunals to help advance its mandate, navigate sensitive and emerging issues, and support initiatives that contribute to the protection of human rights in Alberta.

In this role, you will provide strategic advice, lead issues management, and coordinate complex projects and priorities across the Commission. As a member of the management team, you will analyze policy and business matters, support fiscal and operational planning, manage change, and connect senior leadership with internal and external partners to achieve coordinated results.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Providing strategic advice and issues management support to the Chief, including analyzing emerging risks, trends, and sensitive matters.
• Coordinating cross-Commission projects, policies, initiatives, training, and staff engagement activities.
• Building alignment across Commission leadership, government partners, and community stakeholders.
• Supporting executive priorities and accountabilities through accurate, timely, and politically sensitive advice, responses, and follow-up.
• Supervising and coordinating work within the Office of the Chief to ensure consistent and effective support.

What you will bring to the role:

• Diplomacy and political acumen to navigate sensitive issues and relationships.
• Sound judgment to make informed decisions in complex environments.
• Collaborative leadership to align people and priorities.
• Clear communication to influence decisions and coordinate action.
• Adaptability to respond effectively to competing priorities.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position. 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

• Systems Thinking: You connect immediate decisions to broader priorities, impacts, and long-term outcomes.
• Creative Problem Solving: You bring together evidence and diverse perspectives to develop practical solutions.
• Agility: You remain composed, responsive, and solutions focused as priorities and circumstances change.
• Build Collaborative Environments: You foster open communication, address barriers, and build commitment across teams.
• Drive for Results: You take ownership, maintain momentum, and deliver outcomes aligned with APS direction.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

• University degree in a related field and a minimum of 4 years’ related experience.
• Related experience may include strategic advising, issues management, project leadership, policy development, or coordinating complex organizational priorities and stakeholder relationships.

The following equivalencies may be considered:

• A related Masters plus a minimum of 2 years’ related experience.
• A related two-year diploma plus a minimum of 6 years’ related experience.
• A related one-year certificate plus a minimum of 7 years’ related experience.
• No post-secondary education plus a minimum of 8 years’ related experience.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following:

• Experience working in complex government, public-sector, commission, tribunal, regulatory, legal, or policy environments.
• Experience providing strategic advice, anticipating emerging issues, managing sensitive relationships, or leading projects involving multiple stakeholders.
• Knowledge of the Commission’s mandate, governance, strategic priorities, and decision-making structures.
• Knowledge of applicable legislation and Government of Alberta policies, processes, and accountabilities.
• Experience supervising staff or coordinating work across teams and functions.

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

Notes

Hours of Work: 7.25 hours a day / 36.25 hours a week.

Term of Employment: 1 full-time, permanent position.

Location: John J. Bowlen Building in Calgary, Alberta.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC). 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.
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.