Business Development Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Business Development Advisor is responsible for supporting the administration and overall direction of the Aboriginal Business Investment Fund (ABIF) program that helps Indigenous community-owned businesses capitalize on economic development opportunities to improve socio-economic outcomes. They will also support the Indigenous Reconciliation Initiative - Economic Stream (IRI-ES) to help strengthen economic outcomes by funding Indigenous-led capacity and opportunity development projects. The Business Development Advisor's responsibilities include reviewing and evaluating applications and recommending projects for funding. They will be supporting the Manager, Economic Development with the preparation of materials and briefings associated with the governance of the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation (AIOC) as per the Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act (APAGA). The Business Development Advisor will also be responsible for ad hoc duties related to the AIOC operation and addressing any inquiries that come from AIOC staff, other Ministries or stakeholders. This includes the development of Orders in Council and Ministerial Orders, review of processes and procedures to ensure administrative planning, budgeting, compliance and analysis functions meet Government of Alberta (GoA) legislation and policies; and communication with external stakeholders regarding the AIOC.
     
Other Responsibilities include: 
•    Implements grant programs that will provide funding for the capitalization of community-owned businesses.
•    Negotiates, develops and manages grants and other agreements, ensuring compliance with various policies, acts and regulations.
•    Evaluates business development projects and provides recommendations for funding.
•    Develops and implements an evaluation framework for the programs, ensuring indicators for grant programs are tracked, supporting grant recipients to provide evaluation reporting annually.
•    Evaluates program process successes and challenges post-grants and utilize this information to identify program improvements to processes or support.
•    Provide advisory supports for Indigenous communities that enable them to secure opportunities for business development.
•    Provides technical assistance and serves as an advocate for businesses and communities to identify and resolve economic development impediments.
•    Develops community economic development profiles and/or other information to assist businesses and communities in assessing socio-economic data for growth project decisions and facilitate better understanding by government of their economic development situation.
•    Establishes and maintains positive relations with Indigenous communities and stakeholders to enhance collaboration on strategic initiatives and programs that will improve economic outcomes for Indigenous people.
•    Researches and analyses to inform responses and future strategies, and to support the engagement of Indigenous communities in economic development initiatives.
•    Support and/or lead initiatives that focus on economic development outcomes for Indigenous people and communities.
•    Participates on cross-ministry initiatives to present Indigenous perspectives and reflect division priorities, ensuring that Government policies, programs and services are informed, aligned and capable of responding to the needs of Indigenous people and communities.
•    Builds strong relationships within a young, dynamic team by leveraging effective communication and interpersonal skills. 

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

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours 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.

Develop Networks: Discussing proposed community economic development projects, understanding the gaps to their success (financial, resource shortfalls) and identifying potential options to address those gaps. 

Systems Thinking: Maintain a current understanding of emerging trends in Alberta and Canada and be able to apply that knowledge to proposed community economic initiatives.

Build Collaborative Environments: Communicate and create new connections and maintain existing ones to ensure Indigenous communities receive all available support.   

Creative Problem Solving: Working with communities to improve their grant application and conducting a thorough cross-ministry review of project applications and utilizing existing knowledge to help de-risk projects.     

Qualifications

University degree in in a related field (e.g., Economics, Indigenous Studies, Sociology, Public Policy, Business, Political Science, Social Sciences, or related field); with a minimum of four (4) years of 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.

Required Experience:
•    Strong stakeholder‑relations and relationship‑building experience.
•    Demonstrated experience in managing, reviewing, and processing grant applications, including knowledge of funding criteria and compliance requirements. 
•    Financial Reporting: Demonstrates a basic ability to interpret and review financial reports and budgets related to project funding and expenditures.
•    Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, including planning, execution, and monitoring project progress and outcome. 
•    Policy Development: Prior experience in developing or reviewing policies and procedures related to grant programs or community development. 

Assets:
•    Economic development experience is considered a strong asset, particularly in supporting community based initiatives, partnership development, and funding opportunities. 
•    Experience working with Indigenous communities, organizations, or partners is considered a strong asset, particularly in supporting culturally informed engagement and relationship building. Experience working with Crown corporations or entities governed by APAGA is considered an asset, particularly in navigating governance, compliance, and public sector processes.

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

Hours of Work:

•    8:15 am to 4:30 pm
•    36.25 hours per week (full-time) Monday to Friday

Term of Employment:
•    Permanent 
 
Location:
•    Edmonton
 
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.

Cover letter is mandatory.   

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.
•    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.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.