Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Join a team that plays a central role in shaping the future of justice in Alberta! As a Policy Advisor within the Strategic Policy and Planning (SPP) branch, you will help drive forward, high impact initiatives that influence legislation, programs, and services across the province. If you're motivated by complex problems, cross government collaboration, and work that truly matters to Albertans, then this is your opportunity!

As a Policy Advisor, you will support the development of strategic policies and initiatives that guide the long term direction of the justice system. You’ll conduct in depth research and analysis, advise senior leaders, and coordinate policy projects that require collaboration across ministries, stakeholder groups, and levels of government. Your work will inform decision making at the highest levels and contribute directly to better outcomes for Albertans.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Conducting advanced policy research, analysis, and jurisdictional scans to inform strategic options and recommendations.
• Developing issue papers, briefing notes, options documents, and Cabinet ready materials that clearly communicate impacts, risks, and evidence based solutions.
• Coordinating policy projects involving multiple internal and external stakeholders, including planning, tracking progress, assessing risks, and supporting implementation.
• Leading or supporting committees, working groups, and cross ministry teams to advance high priority justice initiatives.
• Supporting issues management by analyzing requests, identifying implications, and formulating clear, actionable responses.
• Facilitating knowledge sharing, capacity building, and effective communication across project teams and stakeholder groups.
  
  

What you’ll bring to the role:
•    Strategic thinking to assess system wide impacts, emerging trends, and interdependencies within the justice environment.
•    Strong communication skills to translate complex information into clear, concise, and compelling materials for senior decision makers.
•    Relationship building abilities to foster trust, collaboration, and productive partnerships with diverse stakeholders.
•    Adaptability and resilience to navigate shifting priorities, tight timelines, and politically sensitive issues.
•    Analytical problem solving that integrates evidence, stakeholder perspectives, and policy principles to develop sound recommendations.
•    Excellent organization and time management to coordinate multiple projects while maintaining high quality results.

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.

Systems Thinking: You apply a system‑wide lens to your work, evaluating how policy choices influence interconnected components of the justice system.

Drive for Results: You take initiative, stay organized, and consistently deliver work that supports timely and informed decisions.

Agility: You remain flexible in the face of change, adjusting approaches as needed while maintaining a high standard of performance.

Creative Problem Solving: You bring curiosity and creativity to challenges, finding smart, evidence based ways to strengthen justice policies.

Build Collaborative Environments: You cultivate productive working relationships and foster conditions where collaboration and shared understanding can thrive.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• University degree in a related field, such as political science, public policy, law or the social sciences.
• Minimum of 2 years related research, policy analysis, development and evaluation experience. 

The following equivalencies may be considered:

• A related two-year diploma plus a minimum of 4 years related experience.
• A related one-year certificate plus a minimum of 5 years related experience.
• No post-secondary education plus a minimum of 6 years related experience.
  
  

Please outline in your cover letter how your qualifications relate to the role. Providing a cover letter is strongly encouraged as your written skills will be evaluated through your cover letter. Ensure to upload the cover letter when applying to this Job ad, not in your general profile. 

Preference will be given to candidates who have the following:

• Experience with government systems, policy cycle and policy approval processes.
• Experience writing reports, briefings, policy documents, and/or presentations with recommendations to senior leadership.
• Experience managing and implementing projects.
• Knowledge of the Alberta justice system, including legislation, regulations, and key stakeholders.

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

• 1 full-time permanent position.
• Location: Oxford Place, 9820 - 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta.
• Hours of work: 7.25 hours per day / 36.25 hours per week (Monday – Friday).
• Successful candidates will be required to undergo 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. 

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.