Issues Coordinator / Strategic Issues Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Are you a detail-oriented professional with exceptional writing and analytical skills, sound judgment and an interest in working though complex issues? The Ministry of Children and Family Services is seeking candidates for three full-time, permanent issues coordination roles in our Assistant Deputy Minister’s Offices (ADMOs):

•    Issues Coordinator, Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance and Business Supports (RQB) Division.
•    Strategic Issues Advisor, Corporate Finance Division.
•    Issues Coordinator, Indigenous Partnerships and Strategic Services (IPaSS) Division.

Reporting to the Issues Managers in the ADMOs, the Issues Coordinators for RQB and IPaSS and the Strategic Issues Advisor for Corporate Finance play a key role in supporting the smooth flow of information across their divisions and coordinating timely responses to complex issues affecting their divisions and the department.

We are looking for strong communicators and critical thinkers who can translate complex operational information into clear, accurate and well-informed materials. The successful candidates will be naturally curious, ask thoughtful questions, identify information gaps and work collaboratively with program areas and senior leaders to prepare high-quality briefings and correspondence. If you enjoy connecting with subject matter experts and branch leaders and using your strategic communication and analytical skills to support accurate, relevant and timely communications, these roles may be a strong fit.

As an Issues Coordinator or Strategic Issues Advisor, you will support issues management by identifying, prioritizing and coordinating responses to complex and sensitive issues impacting the division and ministry. You will oversee quality assurance of written materials and coordinate daily operations across the division. This role helps support the timely preparation, review and approval of divisional correspondence and briefings for the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Deputy Minister (DM) and Minister. You will manage items through the Action Request Tracking System (ARTS) and help to ensure timely, high-quality materials are provided for all requests.

These roles provide an opportunity to gain meaningful exposure to executive decision-making and insight into divisional and ministry priorities. Through ongoing collaboration with senior leaders and program areas, you will have the opportunity to build professional networks, deepen your understanding of government operations and develop transferable skills that can support future career growth in issues management, policy, communications or executive office roles.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Key responsibilities include:

• Coordinating and tracking Action Requests (ARs) and other ministerial correspondence through ARTS, ensuring deadlines are met and responses move efficiently through the review and approval process.
• Drafting, reviewing and editing briefing notes and correspondence to ensure clarity, completeness, accuracy and alignment with ministry priorities and correspondence guidelines.
• Identifying information gaps, asking strategic follow-up questions and working with program areas to strengthen the quality of responses.
• Supporting issues management processes by organizing information, actioning and tracking priority items and ensuring timely responses to requests from senior leaders, including the ADM, DM and Minister.
• Building collaborative working relationships across branches and divisions to support strategic alignment across the ministry.
• Contributing to effective issues coordination by aligning timelines, priorities and information across divisions.

These positions require strong writing and editing skills, sound judgement, attention to detail, strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Experience drafting government correspondence and managing assignments through ARTS or a similar tracking system is an asset. These roles are well-suited to candidates who enjoys learning, building relationships and contributing to work that supports informed decision-making at senior levels.

Please click this link to view the job description for the Issues Coordinator position with the RQB ADMO

Please link to view the job description for the Strategic Issues Advisor position with the Corporate Finance ADMO.

Please click this link to view the job description for the Issues Coordinator position with the IPaSS ADMO.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standard: Post-secondary graduation in a related field 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.

Assets:

•    Strong technical writing, editing and proofreading skills.
•    Ability to effectively manage competing priorities and short timelines.
•    Direct experience working with the Action Request Tracking System (ARTS).
•    Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office.
•    Experience drafting briefings or correspondence for senior leaders including Executive Directors, ADMs, DMs or Ministers.
•    Experience managing large volumes of complex information and providing recommendations or options for executive consideration.
•    Knowledge and understanding of Government of Alberta and ministry-specific policies, guidelines, directives and acts/regulations.
•    Previous experience working in an executive office.

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.

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.

•    Build Collaborative Environments: Actively shares, accepts and listens to others.
•    Agility: Remains optimistic, calm and composed in stressful situations.
•    Systems Thinking: Sees impact of work on organization; anticipates change in own area based on activities in other areas.
•    Drive for Results: Holds self and others responsible for results.
•    Develop Self and Others: Reflects on performance to identify areas of improvement.

Notes

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week.

Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Application Requirements:

• Complete all pre-screening questions.
• A cover letter outlining why you are applying to this role and how your experience relates to the qualifications is required.
• 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.
• Candidates will require a clear Criminal Record Check and Intervention Record Check (if applicable) to be considered for the role (if not currently in the Child Intervention Delivery Services Branch).
• Please be advised that your current supervisor and manager will be contacted as references.
  
  

The final candidate for this position will undergo appropriate pre-employment checks and provide suitable 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. 

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.