Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Policy and Legislation within the Policy, Legislation and Governance Branch, this position is responsible for advanced policy development and analysis, and collaborating on implementation of strategic policy and framework projects in alignment with ministry priorities related to the provision of public infrastructure. All work is conducted with the goal of ensuring that the interests and priorities of the department, stakeholders, and the Government of Alberta are effectively represented. The incumbent is required to liaise with key stakeholders and often represents the department in interdepartmental work teams, in addition to taking a lead role in carrying out significant policy and strategy projects.

The Policy Advisor develops, analyzes, and recommends draft policy, strategies, cabinet materials, or frameworks, and participates or leads ministry or cross-ministry initiatives. Strong working relationships are maintained with internal and external stakeholders, and expert policy process leadership and support is provided to branch leaders, senior ministry leadership, and other affiliated stakeholders both inside and outside of the ministry. This position operates within the framework provided by the branch and ministry operational and business plans and priorities, the GOA's established policy and legislative development and decision-making processes and protocols, established consultation and research policies and processes, and direction from branch leadership.

The primary responsibilities for the Policy Advisor include, but are not limited to:

• Developing project Terms of Reference, associated project work plans.
• Monitoring and reporting on project status and achievements and raise awareness to significant emerging risk.
• Consolidating and analyzing relevant data to provide advice, and an understanding of the current state, leading practices, potential impacts and considerations related to policy options.
• Preparing policy, business, and legislative documents to support approval processes (e.g., Briefing Notes, Ministerial Reports, Cabinet Materials, Requests for Decision, etc.).
• Participating in Ministry committees, teams, and working groups, representing and providing ministry perspectives and expertise to ensure thoroughness and consistency in policy and program development.
• Researching and creating briefings, draft policy and strategic documents, reports and other materials in response to requests from senior management, as well as in response to news reports and release of major research studies.
  
  

The successful candidate will have strong and demonstrated:

• Consultation and interpersonal skills.
• Project management skills, including project planning, stakeholder engagement, and tracking.
• Strong writing skills with experience drafting executive materials (e.g. briefing notes, letters, memos, cabinet documents, etc.) and other types of reports and presentations.
• Conflict resolution and negotiation skills.
• Ability to build and maintain good working relationships with clients.
  
  

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.
   

• Agility – Proactively incorporates change into processes: Respond quickly to changes in direction, request for information, or new priorities.
• Creative Problem Solving – Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues: Develop innovative solutions to ongoing or new policies, issues, or projects.
• Drive for Results – Takes and delegates responsibility for outcomes: Review material and address gaps, errors, and questions through applicable and appropriate means.
• Build Collaborative Environments – Collaborates across functional areas and proactively addresses conflict: Work with staff across the Ministry to support Ministry priorities, policy, and legislation.
• Develop Networks – Leverages relationships to build input and perspective: Create and maintain contacts across the ministry to best address any ongoing strategic policies or emerging issues.

Qualifications

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.

Required:

• University graduation in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, Arts or a related field.
• PLUS Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience.
  
  

Equivalency: Related experience or education (e.g. related diploma) may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Assets:

• Experience in leading complex projects.
• Experience with establishing and maintaining positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and/or other provincial, territorial, and federal government representatives.
• Experience with stakeholder engagement using online consultation platforms and/or digital communication tool.

Notes

This position is a Permanent, full-time role with the standard weekly work hours of 36.25, Monday to Friday (8:15 am – 4:30 pm).

Location: Edmonton AB.

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.