Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Policy Advisor provides timely, evidence-based analysis and leads complex, stakeholder-driven initiatives to inform strategic, system-focused policy development.

As a Policy Advisor you will conducts timely, evidence-based research and analysis, collaborates with stakeholders, assesses system impacts, and develops clear policy options and recommendations to support decision-making in continuing care.

Policy Analysis and Advice

• Conducts scans and literature reviews on various topics related to continuing care.
• Researches, analyzes and evaluates data and information pertaining to continuing care issues from diverse sources, including statistical databases, legislation, policy documents, technical reports, academic journals and more.
• Uses research methodologies to identify emerging issues and trends and assists in the development of potential scenarios to support the Ministry's response and/or position on an issue.
• Collaborates and liaises with other ministries, Assisted Living Alberta, facility-based continuing care operators, health professionals, colleagues and decision-makers to pro-actively identify and address health policy issues and to develop and implement identified strategies.
• Identifies potential impacts of various issues on Albertans, GOA policies and programs.
• Develops coherent, logically presented comprehensive responses and policy recommendations regarding improvements to the continuing care system and potential impacts to the health care system and Albertans served.
• Prepares written reports, options papers and briefing materials, with recommendations for next steps for Senior Management Team and the Minister.

Consultation & Stakeholder Engagement

• As required, participates on internal and external working groups (including cross-ministry teams, and stakeholder associations), to provide ongoing support on initiatives and projects.
• Collaborates with Ministry staff, key stakeholders, and members of the GOA community on issues and projects.
• Consults with and seeks advice from Legal Services Division if issues are of a legislative or regulatory nature.
• Engages with stakeholders and the public to increase and improve awareness of the continuing care system and priority initiatives; and,
• As required, provides information, input, and recommendations to working teams and committees

Communication and Issues Management

• Uses diplomacy, tact and high-level communication skills to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders on current and emerging issues.
• Where appropriate, communicates information through oral and written briefings such as e-mail, letters, memos, speaking notes and other action request responses.
• Uses strong presentation skills to share and collect information through briefings, engagements, town halls, etc.
• Assists in preparing responses to queries from the public and/or clients, or other stakeholders, including providing concise and relevant information and analysis on various action requests.
• Escalates issues as appropriate in a timely manner to management for decision making.
• Researches and creates various communication materials, such as infographics, visualizations and presentations, for information on continuing care for internal and external audiences at various levels.

Role Responsibilities Cont.

Project Management

• Supports multi-phase/multi-stakeholder projects and events that influence the evolution of the continuing care system.
• Establishes and maintains strong, positive relationships and communication with both internal and external stakeholders, including continuing care operators/providers, Assisted Living Alberta, facility-based continuing care operators, industry associations and organizations, public representatives and other Ministry/Government of Alberta staff.
• Coordinates and prepares briefing materials, meeting materials, and maintains governance and project management documents for committees and working groups.
• Develops complex plans, workflow diagrams, etc. and coordinates the tracking and implementation of action items to ensure the timely achievement of progress.
• Coordinates the collection of information and the development of written and verbal reports/summaries to communicate progress both internally and externally, as applicable.
• Promotes coordinated and aligned activities across stakeholders, and makes recommendations to advance achievement of outcomes, by developing and maintaining awareness of Ministry/Government plans, priorities and strategies, as well as those of external project stakeholders.
• Manages and prioritizes issues that come before committees and working groups. 

Performance Measurement

• Pro-actively works with relevant stakeholders to contribute to, or lead, performance measurement and outcome monitoring activities at a continuing care system level.
• Identifies, analyzes and uses available data, information and evidence.
• Monitor strategies, initiatives and continuing care system outcomes.
• Identify system and program issues and areas of strength.
• Research and develop options for decision, analyzing implications of options and developing practical solutions to address issues (where they may exist) and to inform future policy and strategic developments.
• Inform the development of future measures or approaches to outcome monitoring.

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.

As the Policy Advisor, in addition to your education and experience, you will demonstrate well-honed competencies in the following areas:

• Systems Thinking: Identify emerging issues, challenges, and opportunities, provide options for resolution and develop recommendations to prevent or mitigate legal or political risk associated with consultation initiatives.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Teamwork-oriented to collaborate with ministry staff to plan, implement and assess specific programs to ensure the delivery of an integrated consultation program across the province.
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
• Develop Networks: Proactively develop and maintain effective partnerships with multiple stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding and communication.
• Agility: Anticipate and adapt by focusing on long-term goals, changing the way we approach situations, using new ideas and solutions to achieve results.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

University graduation in a related field (Degree in Public Policy, Health Sciences, Public Administration, Public Health, Social Sciences) plus 2 years completing policy analysis and policy development, with the ability to manage small scale policy projects and deliver clear, actionable recommendations; 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.

Assets:

• Experience in the continuing care or broader health system, with an understanding of the complexities of continuing care and the ability to develop multi‑faceted solutions to policy issues.
• Working knowledge of the continuing care sector, health service delivery, economics, health‑care or business strategies, health legislation and regulation, and the theory and practice of policy analysis.
• Skills in problem solving, teamwork, or consensus building.
• Experience with grant management and public consultation.

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 36.25 weekly, Monday to Friday.

This competition will be used to fill a temporary position in Edmonton or Calgary. The position is full-time until October 10, 2028.

Please include a cover letter that clearly outlines your suitability for the role and highlights how your experience aligns with the position's requirements.

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.

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.