Associate Director, Social Policy

Role Responsibilities

Do you thrive working in a dynamic environment? Are you looking for opportunities to advance complex and challenging files while building relationships with federal, provincial, and territorial governments? Are you passionate about advocating for Alberta on the issues that are important to Albertans? If so, then this role is for you!

This opportunity provides support to the Executive Council Ministry’s core business in the areas of intergovernmental relations, which includes the Economic and Resource Policy Branch with its portfolio of ministries with an economic, environmental, and resources focus and the Social Policy and Federal/Provincial Relations Branch with its portfolio of ministries with a social (health, educaiton, justice, public safety) focus. 

As an Associate Director, you will monitor political, program and service developments in the context of intergovernmental policy, provide strategic advice and policy analysis, disseminate information, and work with other Alberta government Ministries and the entire Intergovernmental Relations Division team to deliver a a coordinated and consistent approach to advancing Alberta’s intergovernmental agenda and priorities.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Providing intergovernmental liaison support in the areas of strategic advice, policy analysis, and information analysis and dissemination, as identified in the Ministry’s Business Plan.
• Supporting client departments with intergovernmental issues and negotiations, agreements, and meetings.
• Providing government information and communicating the Government of Alberta Policy positions to clients and stakeholders.
• Providing strategic updates on and advice on intergovernmental initiatives in assigned policy fields.
• Assisting with the coordination of Alberta’s participation in intergovernmental meetings and conferences (e.g., Council of Federation meetings, Western Premiers’ Conference meetings, New West Partnership meetings, First Ministers’ meetings, etc.)
• Participating in business planning activities and developing recommendations and strategies about intergovernmental policy/strategy and other related issues as they emerge.

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Ability to lead in complex and rapidly changing environments.
• Excellent relationship-building and communication skills to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders and advance Alberta’s interests.
• Sound judgement and strategic thinking with the ability to distill and synthesize complex information.

Please click on this link to view the job description for 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.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

The successful candidate for this role will have the following competencies:

Agility – ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing situations/environments.

Drive for Results – knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.

Build Collaborative Environments – leading and contributing to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.

Develop Networks – proactively develop networks, connect and build trust in relationships with different stakeholders.

Systems Thinking – the ability to know how your work will impact others.

Creative Problem Solving – ability to assess options and implications, engage different perspectives and create strategic solutions for communications challenges.
 

Qualifications

Required:

• University graduation in Arts, Social Sciences, Business, Public Policy, Law or another related discipline supplemented by four years related experience. Equivalencies may be considered. 
• Strong understanding of the relationship between policy, stakeholder engagement, and political environments.

Equivalencies to be considered as below:

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

Assets:

• Thorough knowledge of the Canadian Federal System of Government (Canadian Federalism) and the Canadian Constitution (Division of Powers).
• In-depth knowledge of government structures, operations, and decision-making processes in the Alberta government and/or other governments within Canada.
• Experience in intergovernmental relations, policy development and/or project management.
• Experience in engagement and/or negotiating complex agreements.
• Experience supervising bargaining unit positions and leading teams.

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

A cover letter is required as a part of the application process in order to be considered for this opportunity. 

The successful candidates will be evaluated on a combination of experience and education.

Hours of Work: 36.25 per week.

The successful candidate will be required to report to the Commerce Place Building in Edmonton, Alberta. 

This competition may be used for future vacancies at equal or lesser classifications across the Government of Alberta.

Final candidates for this position will undergo an academic check, reference checks, and 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. 

Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies. In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Please also indicate whether your work experience was part-time or full-time. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Executive Director of Job Title (Full time).

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.
• 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.