Director, Social Policy

Role Responsibilities

Do you have the skills to provide strategic advice to help advance Alberta’s interests? Then, this role is for you!

Your role as the Director of Social Policy in Federal/Provincial Relations and Social Policy provides guidance and leadership to other Alberta government ministries to advance a consistent and coordinated approach to the province's intergovernmental agenda. This includes effective participation by Alberta in the federation and working to achieve a federal system that best serves Albertans' needs. You will report to the Executive Director of Federal/Provincial Relations and Social Policy.

Your key accountabilities include:
 

• Providing intergovernmental liaison and support in the areas of strategic advice, issues management and policy analysis, and information analysis and dissemination on social policy issues.
   
• Assisting in the coordination of Alberta’s participation in intergovernmental meetings and conferences, including First Ministers’ Meetings, Council of the Federation meetings, the Western Premiers’ Conference, New West Partnership meetings, and other intergovernmental meetings to ensure effective participation by Alberta in the Canadian federation.
   
• Participating in the Ministry’s Business Plan objective to develop social policy. recommendations and strategies respecting intergovernmental issues as they emerge.
   
• Providing advice and support to social policy ministries during negotiations with the federal government and other provinces and territories and reviewing intergovernmental agreements to ensure Alberta's interests are represented.   

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. 
   
• Develop Self and Others – Committed to a lifelong learning and the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of yourself and others. 
   
• 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 – Ability to know how your work will impact.
   
• Creative Problem Solving – Ability to assess options and implications, engage different perspectives and create strategic solutions for communications challenges.

Qualifications

Requirements:
 

• A university degree in a related field, such as social science, political science, economics, supplemented by seven (7) years of progressively responsible management experience; or
• A university degree and policy experience involving federal/provincial relations, supplemented by seven (7) years of progressively responsible management experience.

Experience Required: 
 

• Extensive experience advising senior officials on complex, politically sensitive issues
• Deep understanding of intergovernmental issues and an understanding of the Canadian federal system of government
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills
• Proven ability to navigate politically sensitive environments and collaborate effectively within government structures
• Demonstrated leadership in navigating complex and politically sensitive environments, including providing guidance to teams and issue resolution

Equivalencies (to be considered as below):

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.

Assets: 
 

• Demonstrated understanding of governmental operations and policy development processes
• Comprehensive knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, and government frameworks
• Experience in operational planning, reporting, and accountability processes within government contexts
• Excellent political acumen
• Excellent written and oral communication skills

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

This posting is for one (1) full time, permanent position.

Hours of Work: 36.25 per week

Location: Commerce Place Building, Edmonton, Alberta. 

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

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. 

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 has to offer to prospective employees:
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service
• 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