Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Development unit advances specific policy initiatives to support entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Alberta, strengthens Alberta's business support ecosystem and leads the assessment and development of policy improvements to department legislation such as Alberta's Film and Television Tax Credit (FTTC).
 

The Policy Advisor will be required to lead and support various research projects with competing priorities. The role will require a strong ability to perform jurisdictional, market, economic, and statistical research and analysis; and provide strategic and policy advice related to reducing barriers for entrepreneurs and SMEs, improve retention and strengthen the business support ecosystem in the Province.
 

The Policy Advisor is also responsible for coordinating engagement with technical contacts within the department, across ministries, and with key stakeholders for the purpose of developing policy responses on relevant issues. The Policy Advisor also provides policy advice to program areas within the department responsible for supporting entrepreneurs, enterprises and business support activities.
 
Working closely with team members including the Managers and Directors in the branch, the Policy Advisor leads and supports projects and prepares strategic internal and external communications. This requires extensive problem-solving, systems-thinking, decision-making, relationship development and business communication skills.
 

The Policy Advisor’s responsibilities include:
 

• Keep pace with the changing political landscape and issues impacting SMEs.
• Conduct research and analysis to support developing strategies and policies that support Alberta's entrepreneurs and SMEs.
• Lead jurisdictional and environmental scanning to help inform the project planning and development related to enterprise and entrepreneurship.
• Conduct research and analysis to support the assessment and development of policy improvements to department legislation, including Alberta's Film and Television Tax Credit (FTTC) and the Investing in a Diversified Alberta Economy Act (IDAEA).
• Supporting project work to ensure timely project completion.  

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.
 

• Creative Problem Solving – The position is expected to independently execute research projects that support economic policy priorities, which are multi-faceted and may not have precedents. The incumbent should resolve issues that arise or recommend a proposed path for resolution.
   
• Systems Thinking – In developing policy responses, this position must consider the larger international, national, and provincial policy context and how it affects Alberta economic policy interests, as well as the impact of current choices on future policy decisions.
   
• Agility – This position often works in grey policy areas; situations and obstacles encountered are often nebulous without a clear path to resolution. Circumstances can often change quickly, so need to be able to adapt and refocus.
   
• Drive for Results – The position is expected to achieve goals by assessing the situation, developing an engagement plan, seeking the best resolution - potentially in the context of competing interests - and collaborating with relevant colleagues and stakeholders to achieve a satisfactory outcome.
   
• Develop Networks – This position must maintain strong cross-departmental and external linkages to ensure effective information exchange, collaboration, and policy development.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Political Science, Public Policy or 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.

Required knowledge, skills and experience:
 

• Policy analysis skills. Thorough understanding of the policy development cycle and ability to effectively communicate policy analysis and recommendations. 
• Project management and time management skills. Ability to manage multiple requests/competing priorities and meet tight timelines.
• Experience preparing and providing options analysis, reports, briefings and presentations in generating creative solutions.
• Strong communication skills, both written and oral. Effectively helps and follows through on inquiries, requests, and concerns from colleagues, clients and stakeholders. 
• Ability to function well in a team-based environment that demands a high level of interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to foster good stakeholder relations with internal and external stakeholders. Able to request and evaluate information, collaborate with staff in the department and partner ministries, and problem solve/seek guidance when information is not supplied.
• Competency with the use of computers and Microsoft applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, and Teams.  

Assets:

• Quantitative and qualitative analysis skills. Ability to apply research methods and analysis tools to identify issues, gaps and opportunities to address the issues. 
• Experience writing reports and/or briefing notes.
• Have some relationship building and stakeholder engagement experience. 
• Possess detailed understanding of economic development concepts and matters.
• Possess a big picture systemic approach to assess impacts and conclusions through research and analysis. 
• Strong research, planning and execution skills.
• Knowledge of business, industry, and economic drivers and trends and their impact on the Alberta economy.

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

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 permanent position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 

Work location is Commerce Place Building Edmonton.

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered. 

Qualified candidates may be required to submit a written assignment. 

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. 

The Alberta Public Service is a great place to work! What we offer:

• 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.