Issues Coordinator

Role Responsibilities

The Issues Coordinator plays a critical role in establishing, implementing, integrating, and monitoring effective issues management and communication processes. The IC works under high pressure situations to provide timely and accurate advice on current and emerging issues and ensures information is disseminated to the affected program areas in an efficient and effective manner. A strong understanding of communications, policy, and departmental organization is required, as well as the linkages of these items to all aspects of delivery.

Reporting to the Executive Director of the Fianncial Planning Branch, the incumbent works directly with the Executive Director and the branch leadership team to manage critical and emerging issues from a strategic communication and issues management perspective. The  Issues Coordinator is the primary link to emerging issues and activities in the branch and ensures situational awareness and information sharing to staff within. This key position collaborates with internal and external stakeholders to assess issues, determine their nature and priority, research and coordinate supporting information, and takes action to develop appropriate responses.

This position also provides analysis and ongoing issues management support to ensure the effective delivery of programs and frameworks that fall within the branch's mandate. This requires the individual, at the request of the branch leadership, to prepare briefings and recommendations for consideration, initiate and coordinate responses, and provide value-added information and strategic messaging in a timely manner.

The successful Issues Coordinator is responsible for: 

• Participation within the branch management team, including identifying and prioritizing risks, challenges, and issues, and recommending strategies to support the branch and division in achieving successful outcomes.
• Acting as a primary communication liaison for the branch, including reviewing and analyzing incoming and outgoing correspondence for content, strategic positioning, style, and alignment with priorities.
• Issues research and tracking to provide branch leadership with briefings on incoming information and requests from internal and external stakeholders.
• Works closely with the Assistant Deputy Minister’s office to coordinate and deliver high-quality briefing materials, Action Requests, and slide decks, ensuring accuracy, clarify, and alignment with strategic priorities.

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.

• Agility: The Issues Coordinator works in a dynamic environment where priorities change on a short notice.
• Build Collaborative Environments: The Issues coordinator needs to heavily leverage skills and knowledge of others to draft responses to inquiries. 

Qualifications

Requirements: 

University graduation in a related field (Public Policy, Administration, Business, or Communications is required) plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalencies: Directly related education or experience on the basis of: 

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

Required Asset:

• Experience preparing briefing notes.
• Experience in policy writing and recommendation.

Preferred Skills:

• Sound knowledge of English grammar and usage, as well as appropriate Canadian Press, plain language, and Government of Alberta writing styles.
• Experience with Action Request Tracking System (ARTS), Sharepoint, and Microsoft Office.
• Experience with Ministry and divisional business plan goals, strategic priorities, health capital planning processes, relevant policies and legislation.
• Issues management methodologies, practices, and principles. 
• Human resource management practices, policies, and procedures.
• Creativity and in-depth research, writing, and editing skills, including knowledge of how language and tone impacts messaging. The ability to communicate in writing, with a wide variety of audiences , including government officials, business leaders,and general public.

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 position may be used to fill future permanent or temporary vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.

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

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.
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.