Engagement Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, the Engagement Specialist is responsible for developing, implementing and evaluating engagement activities that empowers ministry staff, education stakeholders and partners to be fully engaged in their work. As such, the position brings subject knowledge and leadership to identify systemic problems and issues, and to develop innovative and creative solutions.  This position works closely with the manager to support the design and implementation of stakeholder engagement initiatives using innovative and effective methodologies. The Engagement Specialist plans and organizes engagement activities, creates resources and presentation materials, analyzes data, reports on engagement results and recommendations.

Project management is a critical aspect of this position. The Engagement Specialist plans and coordinates resources to identify client and stakeholder requirements, develops project plans, and manages activities to ensure completion of deliverables as planned. This position also participates in ministry working groups and committees to provide stakeholder engagement expertise and represents the perspectives and requirements of the branch as appropriate. The Engagement Specialist functions within the parameters of applicable legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines.

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

1.  Provide expertise, research, and analytical services to Ministry program areas to support the planning and delivery of engagement activities: 

•    Promote effective and strategic engagement strategies and standards of practice for engagement.
•    Build a shared and common understanding of, and commitment to, strategic engagement.
•    Provide advice and recommendations regarding alternative methods to meeting engagement needs (e.g. existing internal and external programs, contractors, partnering with other ministries) 
•    Research, analyze and share data and information on trends and issues.
•    Guide, interact, and support staff, stakeholders and partners.

2.  Foster an environment of engagement throughout all interactions (e.g. consultation, facilitation, online coordination, staff interactions).

•    Live the model of innovative, effective, efficient and relevant business and engagement practices.
•    Consult with direct supervisors and clients at pre-launch, mid, and final checkpoints to clarify expectations, needs, opportunities and desired results related strategic engagement.
•    Identify and recommend greater opportunities for stakeholders to be knowledgeable about, and inform, Alberta's education system.
•    Participate in ministry and cross-ministry committees and working groups to provide perspectives and advice in relation to engagement.
•    Develop and deliver information sessions to ministry and cross-ministry representatives to promote strategic engagement and gather information to inform strategic planning. 

Role Responsibilities Continued

3.  Provide project management services for stakeholder engagement projects and activities to ensure consistency, quality assurance and results.

•    Support teams to establish project terms of reference, resource requirements, workflow, timelines and evaluation.
•    Monitor project processes and outcomes, initiate and coordinate adjustments and resolve conflicts and issues as required.
•    Keep branch management team apprised of status of projects, prepare briefing materials and presentations to management or stakeholders for information and input to decisions.

4.  Design, develop and deliver strategic engagement activities for Ministry program areas and Government of Alberta.

•    Ensure engagement practices lead to informed decision-making and the achievement of results.
•    Collaborate with clients to determine appropriate methods and techniques that will achieve identified outcomes (e.g., facilitated sessions, online surveys, polls, videos, webinars, etc.).
•    Support the design of engagement strategies that result in effective risk mitigation.
•    Design and deliver appropriate and effective engagement activities.
•    Coordinate planning and delivery of meetings and training sessions associated with engagements.
•    Facilitate engagement activities and events. 
•    Develop plans and documents in support of stakeholder engagement activities, including terms of reference, session plans, stakeholder analyses, agendas, and presentations.
•    Establish measurable program outcomes and appropriate program deliverables to achieve long-term impact.
•    Analyze data and documentation from stakeholder engagement activities, including preparing summaries of results, reports, and recommendations.

5.  Support management team in achieving the Strategic Engagement Branch mandate and goals. 

•    Maintain effective and positive working relationships with clients and stakeholders to ensure management team is aware of critical issues and has appropriate information to make decisions, particularly in relation to branch strategic plans. 
•    Develop issues papers, briefings, proposals, and action request responses to provide senior ministry representatives and officials with information to support stakeholder engagement plans and decisions. 
•    Monitor and analyze briefings, reports, news releases, newspaper articles, media coverage, and other publications and information sources to identify emerging issues with potential to impact the branch.

Please click the Link to view a copy of the job description.

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.

Drive for Results:  Manages multiple projects effectively and meets timelines.
Anticipates challenges and develops contingencies.
Seeks opportunities and solutions.
Understands the larger picture and how a project enhances that picture.
Embraces and deals with complexity.

Agility:  Coordinate individual tasks within the overall workflow and processes. Collaborate with functional and project team members with the end-result in mind.
Understand overall system (both at the department and division levels) and seek to understand the parameters of the role within that system.

Creative Problem Solving:  Conducts research and utilizes a wide variety of methodologies and methods. Thinks outside the box and should demonstrate an innovative mindset.
Applies systems thinking and understands that an issue or problem may have wider connections and implications in addition to the obvious.
Experiments and takes informed risks.

Build Collaborative Environments:  Wears many hats - analyst, cheerleader, coach, critic and recognizes the right hat to wear in a moment. Demonstrates the APS values in all interactions, especially in times of conflict, high expectations and frustrations. Works to bring out the best in people.

Qualifications

•    University graduation in a related field (Arts) plus 2 years progressively responsible 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

The position requires minimum two years’ experience in designing and facilitating engagement events and activities. Certified training in disciplines supporting stakeholder engagement is preferred including: 
•    International Association for Public Participation (IAP2)
•    Facilitation
•    Systemic Design or Design Thinking
•    Evaluation

In addition, demonstrated knowledge and competencies in the following areas are required:
•    Stakeholder engagement theories, methodologies and practices
•    Universal Methods of Design
•    Adult and youth learning principles and practices 
•    Program research, design and evaluation
•    Digital engagement design and delivery (e.g., Zoom, Webex, Novi survey, Opinion, Adobe Captivate, etc.)

The position requires the following skills and abilities: 
•    Self-reflective leadership 
•    Ethical and enterprising spirit
•    Ability to achieve results
•    Ability to thrive in complex environments
•    Expert project management skills
•    Strong design and facilitation skills
•    Strong writing and editing skills
•    Strong research and analytical skills
•    Effective verbal and listening skills
•    Ability to solve problems, creatively and innovatively

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 competition is for a position based in Edmonton, offering a work schedule of Monday to Friday, totaling 36.25 hours per week.

Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It's important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role's qualifications and needs. 

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) details.

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.  
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary

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 has 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
•    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