Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

The Policy Analyst contributes to development and evaluation of policy and initiatives related to international education and industry collaboration within the post-secondary education system.  Reporting to the Manager, International and Industry, this position will be responsible for issue identification and research, including providing specialized advice with regard to emerging concerns, trends and opportunities in international education and industry collaboration.

The Policy Analyst will contribute to policy files; represent the department on cross-ministry policy committees; prepare and provide input to papers and briefings; identify issues and research potential policy responses; contribute to stakeholder engagement; provide perspective and alignment with strategic priorities on a wide array of issues; support the policy activities of other units in the department, support the development of frameworks; provide strategic advice to the Minister and other senior leaders; and advise on legislative issues.  It is necessary for the position to take into consideration complex programs, funding approaches, research, societal issues, and political and stakeholder sensitivities, and ensure alignment with government priorities, established policies and legislation, and environmental factors.

The Policy Analyst may also support other unit activities, including designation of institutions to enrol international students and the issuing of Provincial Attestation Letters. The impact of the scope of the job is broad, impacting the adult learning system in Alberta and the province's broader agenda, nationally and internationally.

Responsibilities include:

1. Policy development on international education and collaborating with industry -- Provides support to senior decision makers, throughout the policy development process to ensure policies and associated programs align with government and department strategic goals, directions, and established policies and legislation; reflect stakeholder requirements; and address issues and trends pertaining to the adult learning system.

Activities:

• Coordinate, support, and provide leadership, when required, using a systems-thinking approach, throughout the entire policy development process, including: Issues identification, Research and analysis, Engagement, Decision making, Implementation and Evaluation and performance measurement.
• Reviews and evaluates existing policies and programs to identify and address areas of provincial interest in International Education and industry collaboration.
• Supports internal advisory committees as necessary to ensure a department wide perspective is considered when addressing new policy initiatives (e.g. amendment to Alberta's Designation Requirements, a new micro-credentials framework), while ensuring that efforts align with broader government objectives.
• Provides project management support for branch-led policy work, such as drafting of documents (e.g. Terms of Reference, work plans, status updates, etc.) to accomplish expected outcomes.
• Participates on working groups made up of representatives of the Ministry, other government departments, student groups, post-secondary institutions and industry stakeholders to ensure international and industry perspectives are reflected in broader deliberations regarding the post-secondary education system.

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

2. Stakeholder engagement and consultation - Supports engagement activities and Ministry and cross-Ministry work for the unit by providing necessary briefing and background information on issues that may be raised by stakeholders.

Activities:

• Support Senior Policy Analyst and colleagues in the department to facilitate stakeholder engagement to help build policy options;
• Identifies issues and risks to engagement initiatives, assesses their impacts on project scope, time and cost and establishes systems and mitigation plans to resolve conflicts or problems.
• Organizes and facilitates meetings with other governments, Alberta Ministries, and key stakeholder groups (e.g. post-secondary institutions and industry associations).
• Builds understanding of the intent of objectives of policy and /or program.
• Supports meetings, develops presentations, and prepares agendas and other items.
• Develops summaries of input and feedback gathered during stakeholder engagement, ensuring timely provision of information to working groups, management and stakeholder representatives.
• Supports the development of communication materials, including key messages, background materials, submissions and discussion papers for stakeholder engagement, liaising with Communications as necessary.
• Ensures best practices related to stakeholder engagement are incorporated into initiatives, strategies and frameworks being led by the branch.
• Supports development and implementation of engagement plans and resource estimates related to the planning and delivery of ongoing stakeholder engagement, events, and facilitated sessions and develops associated documentation (e.g. project proposals, RFPs as needed).

3. Issues Management, research and analysis - international, and industry issues that impact the ministry are addressed through research, analysis, and recommendations for action.

Activities:

• As a knowledge expert in international education and collaboration with industry, the position responds to day-to-day issues and inquiries and liaises with other ministry staff as required to assist in the completion of action and information requests.
• Develops and implements research mechanisms to analyze and report on emerging trends, issues, and opportunities related to international education, collaboration with industry, and some intergovernmental relations.
• Leads jurisdictional and environmental scanning activities to support International education, Industry and cross-ministry files.
• Research assigned issues, provides content and strategic analysis for the preparation of briefing papers, reports and discussion papers assigned by the Manager.

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

4. Unit Planning, evaluation and reporting  - Supports Senior Policy Analyst in designing and scheduling work to meet requirements of the department Business Plan and the branch operational plan.

Activities:

• Liaise with the unit team members to articulate goals and priority initiatives for inclusion in unit operational plans.
• Contributes performance advice and data in support of the Ministry's annual reports and business plans.
• Gathers information and updates on various initiatives to inform reporting functions within the division.

5. Supporting the ongoing administration of the Alberta Designation Requirements program and the Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) program -- supports the Senior Analyst, Designation and Compliance, as required, to:

• Review, process, and finalize ADR designation agreements, renewals, and corporate changes.
• Respond to inquiries from institutions about PALs and the PAL portal.
• Troubleshoot technical issues with PAL portal and liaise with the Digital Design and Transformation.

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 – Adjusts to rapid and frequent changes in direction. Completes high quality policy products in short time-frames based on changing expectations, adapts quickly to new priorities.

Develop Networks – Works with colleagues from across the department to facilitate drafting of policy options and addressing of issues. Communicates policy direction effectively to colleagues from within the department and to other departments. Works with stakeholders as needed to gain critical intelligence and test policy options, where appropriate.

Systems Thinking – Maintains focus on larger government and departmental objectives and integrates those into all policy products.

Creative Problem Solving – Proposes innovative policy options and solutions to help address complex policy problems. Seeks input from diverse perspectives. Explores a variety of information sources to inform creative development of policy alternatives.

Qualifications

Requirements:

Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field, supplemented by a minimum of two years of related progressively responsible experience is required. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

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 studying,working, and/or researching internationally.
• Knowledge of the Post-secondary Learning Act; Alberta 2030: Building Skills for Jobs; and Alberta's International Education Strategy for post-secondary education.
• Familiarity with Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and the regulation regarding study permits for international students.
• Strong knowledge of current post-secondary education policy directions and strategies.
• Excellent awareness of the stakeholder community affected by international education and collaboration with industry at the post-secondary education level.
• In depth knowledge of models and practices relating to stakeholder engagement.
• Knowledge of the government approval processes and public administration practices.

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 permanent, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, working Monday to Friday, the position is based out of Edmonton.

Candidates are required to submit a resume and cover letter that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It's important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role's qualifications and needs.

Please note that applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing written communication skills and attention to detail.

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.

Final candidates may 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.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.

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 has 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
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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