Manager, System Quality and CAQC Secretariat

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Program Approvals the position is responsible for facilitating post-secondary system coordination and system quality review through program proposal review, recommendation, and approval. The manager, acting in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, guidelines, and processes, oversees the activities and performs other supervisory functions for the branch's System Quality team of two to four, ensuring resources are planned and managed to effectively and efficiently deliver the outcome of approved and high-quality credentials within Alberta's post-secondary system. The position has the primary responsibility for supporting the CAQC in its role of quality assurance of degree programs.

The role would action the below responsibilities

Manager, System Quality and Campus Alberta Quality Council (CAQC) Secretariat

1.   Strategic Support is provided to the CAQC Co-Chairs, members, and senior management within the Ministry with respect to recommendations concerning new program and program change proposals.

• Supports the branch's system coordination function by overseeing the review of applications for new, or changes to, new and existing credentials, including conducting reviews as applicable.
• Ensures that policies, procedures, and standards are in place and followed with respect to consideration of applications for new degree programs and monitoring of approved degrees once implemented.
• Ensures that CAQC and branch policies, procedures, and standards are periodically reviewed to ensure continuous improvement.
• Oversees and coordinates the recruitment and selection of experts to ensure credible and respected teams of reviewers from across Canada will enhance the reputation of degree quality assessments in Alberta.
• Aligns CAQC strategies with Ministry policy and direction to develop province-wide strategies through a collaborative and cooperative approach and in support of the Campus Alberta vision.
• Oversees production of CAQC's Annual Report, Action Plan and other communication in a timely fashion and in alignment with relevant Ministry priorities and Council direction.
• Enhances and supporting Council's work through its standing and ad hoc committees.

Role Responsibilities Continued

2.   Operational Leadership is provided to the CAQC Secretariat.

• Directs the planning and management of day-to-day operations of the Secretariat to ensure the support provided to the Co-Chairs and members and to the Ministry is effective and efficient.
• Ensures the team's work is directed by a work plan developed in alignment with CAQC's Action Plan and branch plan and conducts necessary research to identify improvements and establish performance measures.
• Works with Council and the Ministry to identify opportunities to develop innovative strategies for continuous improvement in Secretariat and CAQC service delivery and support to CAQC and Campus Alberta.

3.   CAQC-related issues are effectively managed on behalf of the Minister and senior Ministry officials.

• Directs analysis and review of issues and related information and provides advice and recommendations to ensure CAQC, its Co-Chairs, and senior Ministry officials have appropriate input and briefings to make strategic decisions on the evolution of quality assurance and accountability.
• Develops briefings, background documents, and correspondence for consideration by the Co-Chairs, Council, and Ministry officials.
• Works collaboratively within the Ministry to ensure that the Co-Chairs, CAQC and Ministry officials have relevant and evidence-based information on which to base decisions by remaining current on quality assurance and degree education developments in other jurisdictions, including by developing key linkages with individuals in other agencies.

4.   Facilitating relationships to foster quality assurance within Campus Alberta.

• Maintains strong relationships with the Co-Chairs, Council, and post-secondary institution officials.
• Establishes and maintains relationships with government representatives and stakeholders, including providing consultation and communication support for issues pertaining to program approval and quality assurance.
• Promotes collaboration within the Ministry and with partners and stakeholders related to quality assurance and accountability.
• Represents the Ministry as needed on cross-government and/or stakeholder committees that support strategies that will enhance Campus Alberta.
• Facilitates coordinated approaches to decision-making, communicates relevant perspectives and requirements, and remains aware of stakeholder and partner perspectives.

Role Responsibilities Continued

5.   Engagement in Pan-Canadian Activities support information sharing and advancement of the Ministry and CAQC's work in light of national perspectives.

• Collaborates with provincial partners and professionals in quality assurance as the Ministry’s representative on pan-Canadian committees and working groups (e.g., CMEC subcommittees, Quality Assurance Network).
• Works with provincial partners to provide leadership in developing strategies that will enhance the reputation and quality of post-secondary education in Canada and enhance pan-Canadian mobility through the recognition of degree credentials approved by the Ministers.
• Assists and provides advice to other jurisdictions with respect to quality assessment and assurance.

6.   The CAQC Secretariat assists the branch in achieving its goals in alignment with ministry and GoA priorities within a positive team environment.

• Manages the team's human resources (i.e., recruitment; mentoring staff; developing performance agreements and learning plans; assesses performance; allocates and manages workload).
• Integrates the team's system quality work into the larger branch's goals in a collaborative manner. Writes, reviews, and approves the team's briefings, correspondence, and other documents for which it is responsible prior to submission to the Director.
• Writes, reviews, and approves the team's briefings, correspondence, and other documents for which it is responsible prior to submission to the Director.
• Verifies and approves staff member expenses, CAQC member honoraria and travel expenses, and ensures they are paid in a timely manner.
• Prepares cost estimates for external CAQC evaluation teams, ensuring letters of agreement are produced properly, and approves evaluation team member invoices for payment.
• Invoices institutions and other governments for applicable costs of all evaluation activities and application fees and approves the revenue received.

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.

• Building Collaborative Environments - Builds and sustains effective partnerships with council members, post secondary institutions, ministry colleagues, and external stakeholders to enable coordinated, informed, and credible decision making.
  
  
• Systems Thinking - Applies a system wide perspective to align quality assurance, governance, labour market needs, and student demand with ministry priorities and broader post secondary objectives.
  
  
• Drive for Results - Sets clear priorities, allocates resources effectively, and ensures timely delivery of high quality outcomes by balancing operational demands with strategic objectives in a complex, multi stakeholder environment.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving - Identifies emerging issues and opportunities in degree quality assurance and develops innovative, evidence based solutions to strengthen policy, processes, and service delivery.
  
  
• Develop Networks - Represents the Ministry and CAQC in pan Canadian and inter jurisdictional forums, fostering partnerships that enhance credential recognition, information sharing, and the national and international reputation of Alberta’s post secondary system.

Qualifications

A University degree in Public Administration, Education, Policy or a related field supplemented by four years related experience.

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Related experience must include:

• Experience leading a team.
• Strong background in writing and research.
• Familiarity with applicable policy, legislation and regulations, both provincial and federal, and other relevant GOA legislation.

Assets:

• Master’s degree in public administration, Education or Policy or any related fields.
• Knowledge of issues, trends and research in post-secondary practices relevant to coordination and quality of the post-secondary programs in Alberta in order to integrate information into innovative documents that guide the work of the unit.

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

Working location 19th Floor, 10155 102 St NW Commerce Place, Edmonton.

Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

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. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

The final candidate will be required to undergo a security screening. 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.