Program and Policy Advisor - Disability Services

Role Responsibilities

The Program and Policy Advisor reports to a Manager of the Disability Policy and Supports branch and will support the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) and Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Statutory Director to fulfill their role in ensuring the programs are delivered in alignment with the Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) Act and the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) Services Act and associated regulations. This role provides policy advice and ensures projects and initiatives are effectively coordinated and executed, may represent the branch, division and ministry on cross-divisional and cross-ministry committees and develops evidence-based and timely briefings and correspondence for division and ministry leadership. This role maintains links with other divisions and departments on current and emerging disability issues to support awareness of key issues and potential policy solutions.

Some of the responsibilities include: 
•    Provides advice to management and stakeholders on key policy issues and questions. 
•    Supports action planning, review processes and continuous improvement of the program in collaboration with branch, division and department representatives.
•    Provides policy development support on specific research projects for the purpose of issue framing, policy development, policy review and changes.
•    Conducts research and analysis on a broad range of policy issues that may affect the direction and operations of the Persons with Developmental Disabilities (PDD) and Family Support for Children with Disabilities (FSCD) programs, supporting the development of policy options and recommendations to management and the Division’s senior leadership team. 
•    Responsible for project management and advancing policy and program work associated with the review/evaluation and/or implementation of provincial disability services programs.
•    Supports policy projects including looking at emerging issues, conducting policy analysis, and providing strategic advice on disability related programs and policies. 
•    Represents program policy interests and works collaboratively with other internal and external stakeholders.
•    May be required to support consultation with key stakeholders and takes initiative to complete strategic initiatives and projects to accomplish outcomes as assigned.

Please click on this link JR81537 Program And Policy Advisor JD 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.

Qualifications

Requirements:
An undergraduate degree in social sciences or related field, plus a minimum of two (2) years of 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

Skills and Abilities:
•    Knowledge of the policy development cycle and government decision-making processes.
•    The ability to build collaborative environments with various diverse stakeholders.
•    Strong verbal and written ability and experience writing for executive audiences.
•    Ability to summarize and synthesize complex material through strategic thinking.
•    Ability to identify key issues and develop solutions.
•    Ability to work independently or as part of a team, with a broad spectrum of clients and people at all organizational levels.
•    Political sensitivity and the ability to maintain a neutral and objective approach.

Assets:
•    Degree in a related field (public policy, public administration, etc.).
•    Experience leading policy projects
•    Experience with design, implementation and follow-up of quality assurance mechanisms.

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 hours weekly.

The Disability Policy and Supports branch is recruiting 1 temporary position until July 7, 2027.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

Your cover letter and resume will be used as a screening tool to assess your written communication. An additional written assignment may be used as part of the screening process.

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
•    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