Project Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Are you looking for a professional role in a flexible, positive work environment with progressive leadership? This is the perfect place to build a professional career while doing challenging work that actually fits your life, in a culture where people like coming to work each day. 

Reporting to the Lead, Red Tape Reduction, the Project Advisor provides leadership and day-­to-day management of assigned initiatives and projects. The position provides coordination and project management support to a portfolio of projects across the ministry. The Project Advisor applies project management best practices to support project leads throughout the phases of assigned projects. The position is required to ensure ministry projects are well-positioned to successfully deliver the required products and outcomes. 

As a Project Advisor you will be responsible for: 

• Supporting internal clients with all phases of the project management cycle, such as creating and updating project plans, risk management plans and communication plans. 
• Serving as a member of project teams for various internal and cross-government initiatives.
• Providing secretariat support for committees, working groups and project teams
• Supporting project communications and documentation for project teams, including developing and maintaining SharePoint sites.
• Developing and maintaining a toolbox of resources to support project management practice, e.g.: process documentation, templates and training materials

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: The Advisor will be required to support a portfolio of projects that may have complex interactions or interdependencies. For example, the advisor will need to understand implications of delays in one project across the ministry and pursue collaborative solutions with clients. 
• Creative Problem Solving: The Advisor will be required to engage staff and leadership to in improving project management capacity without having formal positional authority.
• Agility: The Advisor will be required to work in a dynamic environment where priorities can change on short notice.
• Develops Networks: The Advisor will be required to develop and maintain relationships with contacts from throughout the ministry to undertake effective project planning, monitoring and communications.

Qualifications

University graduation in Business, Public Administration or a related field; no experience required; 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

To be effective in this role, you need to be a strong communicator (verbally and in writing) and able to build relationships throughout the ministry to influence and support outcomes. Political acumen, agility, and the ability to approach politically sensitive matters in a confidential, proactive, and positive manner are necessary. A working knowledge of the software tools used to carry out job responsibilities (primarily MS Project, Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel, SharePoint, Teams and Adobe Acrobat), project management skills, and the ability to consistently meet hard deadlines are essential. 

If you have skills in project management, exquisite interpersonal skills, and the ability to plan and coordinate projects, you could be the person we are looking for. You'll fit right in with others who value doing a great job and getting good work out the door while maintaining positive relationships with clients, the team and colleagues. 

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 competition will be utilized to fill two positions based in Edmonton, offering a work schedule of Monday to Friday, totaling 36.25 hours per week. 

Candidates are required to submit 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. 

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, provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment. 

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 have to offer to prospective employees. 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service-alberta-advantages.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca. 
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-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.