Governance Policy Specialist

Role Responsibilities

Calling all policy wonks! The Ministry of Advanced Education has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as a Governance Policy Specialist.
 

The Governance Policy Specialist is a member of the Governance unit. This unit provides policy advice, interpretation and direction to PROs, government and other stakeholders on professional legislation. The team also reviews and make recommendations to government on applications from associations seeking regulatory status. The Governance Policy Specialist  works on a variety of significant policy matters impacting the PROs. 
 

Reporting to the Manager of Professional Governance, the Governance Policy Specialist is responsible for matters relating to the development, implementation and monitoring of legislation, policies, strategies, and programs. This position deals with a wide audience on an ongoing basis, and develops and maintains strong working relationships with executive level partners from PROs and areas within Advanced Education and other Government departments. The position is relied upon to provide timely, relevant, accountable advice and analysis on sensitive, confidential, and high priority, professional governance issues. 
 

In your role as the Governance Policy Specialist, you will: 
 

• Provide leadership and expertise on professional governance matters to a wide range of Alberta government and department initiatives. 
• Conduct policy analysis contributing to the development of, or ongoing updates to, the Professional Governance Act and its regulations and/or the existing legislation and regulations governing Advanced Education’s 22 PROs. This is done by directing, undertaking, or participating in major initiatives and research, as well as engaging the appropriate internal and external stakeholders and consultants to ensure that the initiative is undertaken thoroughly and obtains the required results.. 
• Work with the Department’s Legislative and Governance Services office and Legislative Counsel to propose legislation through the legislative development process.

Roles and Responsbilities Contd..

• Thorough effective communication and collaboration, assist with the gathering of information and the development of succinct, clear communications for the unit, as well as for internal and external stakeholders. Therefore, strong project management skills and experience is required.
• Write and coordinate the compilation and delivery of final products, including key government decision making documents such as Minister Reports, Cabinet Memorandums, Requests for Decision, briefing notes, memos, project reports, consultation plans, consultation material, consultation final reports, etc.
• Accompany the Minister, Deputy Minister or Assistant Deputy Minister to meetings, briefings and committees and act as advisor on professional and occupational matters
• Provide policy research and analysis on professional governance issues. 
• Lead the development of status reports, briefing notes, and policy proposals relating to professional governance for the Ministry, recommending the position, options and actions the Ministry or government should take.
• Support and provide analysis in the development of governance policy frameworks, guidelines and best practices. 
• Formulate policy, program, and procedural recommendations to management for approval. These include recommendations to senior management on current issues, action plans, research on other jurisdictions, and related department and government policies which may impact policy decisions.  

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.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:
 

• Systems Thinking - Considers inter-relationships among initiatives and relations to  department priority and expected project outcomes; integrates emerging trends; considers implications of different options when making decisions; thinks broadly about programs to consider how changes will be integrated and transitioned into existing operations.
   
• Creative Problem Solving- Facilitates the creation of a work environment for generating and finding newer ideas to solve existing and potential problems.
   
• Develop Networks - Builds relationships by following through on commitments, demonstrating integrity and respect for others; informs key stakeholders of relevant information in a timely manner; seeks and applies the perspectives and needs of colleagues and stakeholders.
   
• Drive for Results – Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities; factors in complexity of issues and aligns plans based on government direction; removes barriers to collaboration; provides informed advice.
   
• Agility - Sees the need and readily steps in to help others on the team; anticipates change and adapts behavior accordingly; is nimble and open to changes; takes advantage of opportunities to improve program development and implementation processes.

Qualifications

University graduation degree in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below. 

For application consideration, you must attach a cover letter explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.

Equivalency: 
Related education or experience considered: 
 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The following knowledge or experiences are considered as assets:

• Knowledge of professional legislation, policies, programs and of government decision-making and the policy and legislative development processes, including public consultation and legislative/committee processes. 
• Experience preparing and delivering written reports, analyses, briefings, letters, and presentations.
• Experience working in a policy environment. 
• Knowledge of policy analysis frameworks such as development of policy recommendations, action plans, communication plans, and implementation strategies. 
• Strong ability to work within SharePoint and Excel, including the ability to create and edit documentation within both programs.
• Strong communications skills (written and oral) to collaborate effectively with colleagues and with internal as well as external stakeholders.
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills to coordinate timely and effective issues resolution.
• Organization and prioritization skills to balance multiple assignments; able to meet tight timelines and work in a fast paced environment

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 is a permanent full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 

This position is located in Edmonton.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

As part of the interview, short listed applicants may perform a written assignment.

The final candidate may undergo pre-employment checks and reference checks. 

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. 

What we offer:
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service#jumplinks-2
• 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