Manager, Intergovernmental Relations

Role Responsibilities

The Manager, Intergovernmental Relations plays a critical leadership role in advancing Alberta’s interests in federal, provincial, and territorial health forums. This position provides strategic advice to senior leadership, leads the development and coordination of intergovernmental initiatives, and ensures Alberta’s positions are effectively represented at Conferences of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Health.

The job responsibilities include:

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key stakeholders, including counterpart officials across federal, provincial, and territorial jurisdictions, to gather intelligence and effectively position Alberta’s interests at Conferences of Ministers and Deputy Ministers of Health.
• Lead the development of federal, provincial and territorial initiatives by analyzing interprovincial and departmental policy documents, preparing high-quality briefing materials, and providing policy advice and strategic direction to the Minister and Deputy Minister.
• Oversee the coordination and preparation of briefing materials for Ministers’ and Deputy Ministers’ meetings and teleconferences. This includes providing clear direction to program areas on briefing processes, Alberta position development, common briefing submissions, and managing tight timelines.
• Provide leadership in the review, approval, and execution of intergovernmental agreements, including those involving Alberta Health Services (AHS). This includes overseeing internal reviews from program, legal, and intergovernmental perspectives, and collaborating with Executive Council to ensure compliance with Government of Alberta policies, legislation, and execution processes.

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

• Build Collaborative Environments: Actively foster strong, inclusive working relationships. Engaging a broad range of stakeholders and sharing resources to achieve shared outcomes. Positively resolving conflict through coaching, facilitation, and constructive discussion. Using enthusiasm and influence to motivate and guide others. Acknowledging and integrating diverse perspectives to deliver better results.
• Systems Thinking: Apply strategic insight. Integrating broader trends, issues, and context into planning and decision-making. Considering political environments, risks, and interdependencies when evaluating options. Supporting organisational vision and goals through aligned strategies. Addressing behaviours and systemic challenges that hinder progress.
• Agility: Respond effectively to change. Proactively incorporating change into processes and identifying opportunities for improvement. Adapting to shifting priorities while maintaining focus and objectivity under pressure. Supporting others to manage change and navigate uncertainty. Clearly explaining the impacts of change on roles and embedding change into everyday work. Adjusting plans and practices quickly as circumstances evolve.
• Drive for Results: Deliver outcomes. Forecasting and proactively addressing project and operational challenges. Removing barriers to collaboration and achievement of goals. Upholding organisational principles and addressing issues directly and constructively. Aligning solutions with the broader mission while considering complex and competing factors.
• Creative Problem Solving: Enable innovation. Working in open, collaborative teams to share ideas and resolve issues. Applying a wide range of techniques to analyse and break down complex problems. Creating space for others to contribute ideas and think creatively. Bringing together the right people to design and implement effective solutions. Identifying new and innovative approaches that add value to the organisation.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in a field related to public administration, political science, public policy, social sciences, and humanities, supplemented by four years related experience.

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 following experience is required: 

• Strategic and analytical skills to develop policy advice and strategic direction on emerging and ongoing federal, provincial and territorial health-related issues.
• Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple priorities and related staffing requirements.
• Understanding of the policy processes, legislative agendas, and priorities of other governments, and their potential impacts on Alberta’s interests and decisions.
• Knowledge of multilateral and bilateral negotiation dynamics within intergovernmental settings.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Thorough understanding of the Constitution Acts (1867 and 1982), the Canada Health Act, the Canada Health Transfer, and relevant Alberta legislation, and their implications for Alberta’s health care system.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare high-quality briefing materials.
• Ability to provide clear, concise background and strategic briefings to senior government officials and executives.

The following experience will be given preference:

• Demonstrated ability to lead initiatives requiring hands-on management and direction.
• Proven negotiation skills in multilateral and bilateral environments, including within the Government of Alberta, with other governments, and with health system stakeholders.
• Broad, in-depth understanding of federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) jurisdictional issues and their implications for the ministry and the Government of Alberta.
• In-depth knowledge of Government of Alberta policy objectives, political priorities, and decision-making contexts.
• Strong knowledge of Government of Alberta legislative, policy development, and decision-making processes.
• Awareness of Government of Alberta and ministry business planning processes, accountability frameworks, and governance structures.

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

Hours of work are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. This is a full-time permanent position working 36.25 hours per week.

If a security screening is required:

• 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.

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required.

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.
• 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.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.