Manager, Research and Evaluation

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Strategic Information Research and Evaluation, the Manager's core accountabilities are focused on providing expertise  and recommendations to ensure that the most appropriate outcomes are measured, oversight of evaluation frameworks for addiction and mental health initiatives, and serves as the coordination point for research organizations that report to the Ministry. 

The Manager is a knowledge expert on evaluation and applied research and oversees the Research and Evaluation team. The team supports senior management and other areas with identification of appropriate areas of research/evaluation, collection of research evidence, and interpretation of findings and knowledge transfer. 

The Manager is also a key liaison with internal and external stakeholders with regard to policy development  and other initiatives and builds strong working relationships to provide expert advice and support to department senior leadership. Senior and executive Ministry leaders rely on the recommendations and analysis of issues and opportunities developed by the Manager to inform decision making.

Responsibilities include:

• Supporting the development and refinement of the Ministry's performance strategy to address the need for evidence-informed operational and strategic decisions
• Implementing business strategies and processes designed to improve the quality of information and data resources
• Leading research and evaluation of high value to the department
• Managing strategic projects that advance provincial addiction and mental health priorities to achieve expected outcomes.
• Managing issues, including identification, and response development.
• Developing and managing fiscally sound budgets by facilitating and monitoring funding allocations for contracts and grants to community agencies, Alberta Health Services, Recovery Alberta,  professional associations, and external consultants.
• Ensuring the effective management of grants and contracts to advance policy or program development and implementation.

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

• Identifies and manages required change and the associated risks:
• Identifies alternative approaches and supports others to do the same
• Proactively explains impact of changes
• Anticipates and mitigates emotions of others
• Anticipates obstacles and stays focused on goals
• Makes decisions and takes action in uncertain situations and creates a backup plan

Creative Problem Solving

• Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues:
• Engages perspective to seek root causes
• Finds ways to improve complex systems
• Employs resources from other areas to solve problems
• Engages others and encourages debate and idea generation to solve problems while addressing risks

System Thinking 

• Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them
• Takes holistic long-term view of challenges and opportunities
• Anticipates outcomes and potential impacts, seeks stakeholder perspectives
• Works towards actions and plans aligned with APS values
• Works with others to identify areas for collaboration

Develop Networks

• Works on maintaining close relations with all stakeholders:
• Identifies key stakeholder relationships
• Has contact with range of interested parties
• Actively incorporates needs of a broader group
• Influences others through communication techniques

Develop Self and Others

• Plans according to career goals and regular development:
• Aligns personal goals with career goals
• Leverages strengths; attempts stretch goals
• Provides feedback and openly discusses team performance
• Values team diversity, and supports personal development

Qualifications

University degree in Arts, Business, Economics, and Public Administration and four (4) years related experience required. 

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.

Assets:
 

• Experience with project management, building collaborative processes, as well as outcomes identification, logic modelling and performance measurement are definite assets.
• Strong research and evaluation knowledge base, including evaluation design and review.
• Knowledge of addiction and mental health performance indicators.
• Strong, broad knowledge of the mental health and addiction health care system in Alberta.
• Strong understanding of statistics and evaluation design.
• Ability to analyze, evaluate, identify problem areas and create innovative solutions to address issues identified.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, including very good consultation, facilitation and presentation skills.

Equivalencies maybe considered - 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.

Notes

Hours of Work

• 7.25 daily hours
• 36.25 weekly hours
• 8:15 am to 4:30 pm (Monday to Friday)

Location

• Edmonton, Alberta

 
Please provide a cover letter that outlines how your experience and education relates to the role.

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. 

•    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.
•    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.
•    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.