Corporate Evaluation & Research Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Corporate Performance, Data, Analytics and Evaluation, the Corporate Evaluation & Research Advisor is the ministry’s specialist in program evaluation, applied research, and statistical analysis. Working with minimal supervision on complex problems where the most defensible design is not known in advance, the role directs program evaluations end-to-end, modifies research methodologies, and addresses ‘what if’ questions about program effectiveness. 

This position shares a common PS4 position description with the Corporate Data & Analytics Advisor; who specializes in data governance and analytics infrastructure, performance measurement, capacity building, and accountability liaison responsibilities are held equally by both incumbents from day one.

The role is responsible for:

Program Evaluation and Applied Research:

• Direct the design, implementation, and management of program evaluations — including formative, summative, and impact assessments — where the most defensible evaluation design is not known in advance.
• Select, adapt, and modify evaluation methodologies to fit program contexts and address ‘what if’ questions about program effectiveness, efficiency, and alignment with outcomes.
• Manage evaluation projects end-to-end with minimal supervision, coordinate third-party evaluation consultants, and represent the unit on cross-ministry evaluation committees.

Statistical Analysis and Evidence Methods:

• Apply advanced statistical analysis techniques, including inferential analysis, regression modeling, and multivariate methods using SAS or SPSS; modify analytical approach where standard techniques are insufficient to answer specific program performance or policy questions.
• Design, pilot, and refine data collection instruments including surveys and interview guides; develop and modify qualitative research methodologies including case studies, interviews, and focus groups.
• Apply AI-assisted text analytics to support synthesis of large volumes of qualitative evidence; leverage Power BI for KPI reporting and statistical data visualization.

Performance Measurement and Reporting:

• Develop and continuously improve logic models, performance measurement frameworks, and KPIs in collaboration with program areas, adapting approaches as programs and accountability requirements evolve.
• Drive collection, analysis, and dissemination of statistical data for performance reporting; address longer-term performance trends and ‘what if’ questions about program trajectory and strategic alignment.
• Produce statistical reports, visualizations, and executive-ready reporting outputs for senior leadership, TBF, and OAG; review analytical work at the unit, branch, and division level to ensure methodological soundness.

Role Responsibilities (cont'd)

Technical Advice, Capacity Building, and Liaison:

• Provide expert methodological guidance on evaluation design, research methods, and statistical analysis, exercising high-level interpersonal skills to gain consensus.
• Develop training materials on evaluation and statistical methods and deliver workshops that build evaluation and data literacy across program areas.
• Liaise with OAG and TBF on evaluation requirements, support audit responses, and prepare inputs to action requests and briefings with minimal supervision.

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

APS Competencies

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.

• Drive for Results: Deliver rigorous, credible evaluation products with minimal supervision and advance well-considered recommendations from multiple analytical options.
• Creative Problem Solving: Select, adapt, and modify evaluation designs for complex program contexts where standard approaches are insufficient.
• Building Collaborative Environments: Gain consensus and influence program areas in adopting rigorous evaluation practices across non-technical stakeholders.
• Agility: Adapt analytical approach, methodology, and advisory focus to shifting ministry priorities, emerging platform capabilities, and evolving accountability requirements.
• Systems Thinking: Understand how evaluation design, data quality, and performance measurement interact across the ministry’s evidence ecosystem.

Qualifications

University graduation in measurement and evaluation, statistics, social sciences, public policy, or a related field, plus a minimum of 4 years of related experience, is required.

• Demonstrated expertise in program evaluation methodology, including experience selecting and modifying evaluation designs for formative, summative, and impact evaluations.
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods including statistical analysis, survey design, administrative data analysis, and qualitative synthesis.
• Experience with SAS or SPSS for advanced statistical analysis including inferential, regression, and multivariate methods.
• Experience developing logic models, performance measurement frameworks, and KPI indicators in a public sector context.
• Proficiency in Power BI for dashboard development, KPI reporting, and data visualization.
• High-level interpersonal skills to gain consensus and influence adoption of evaluation practices among non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience with AI-assisted tools for qualitative data synthesis is considered an asset.

Equivalency: A diploma in a related field plus 6 years of related experience may be considered.

• Directly related education or experience is considered on the basis of one year of education for one year of experience or one year of experience for one year of education.

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

Recruiting for one (1) temporary position (ends Febraury 2027), Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week. Location: Edmonton, Alberta.

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.