Research and Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

As part of the Regional and Northern Economic Development Branch, the Regional Economic Development Policy Unit is responsible for developing policies, strategies, and initiatives focused on supporting and growing Alberta's economic regions. 
 
This position provides research and policy analysis to inform decision-making by senior leadership and affected stakeholders on policy options related to strategic economic issues and opportunities. This work is critical to inform Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration (JETI) on regional economic development issues, collaboration best practices, related risk factors, economic development opportunities, and ultimately informs strategic decision-making and program/policy development.
 
In this position you will be required to lead and support various research projects with competing priorities. You will support and influence policy development with a wide audience including GoA departments, elected officials, industry, and stakeholders. The role will require a strong ability to perform jurisdictional, market, economic, and statistical research and analysis; provide strategic and policy advice related to strategic economic development, and more broadly to identify opportunities to stimulate economic growth.
 
Working closely with team members including the Managers and Directors in the branch, this position is responsible for contributing to Department processes and ensuring an effective flow and exchange of information and advice among affected stakeholders on a cross section of economic development policy issues. This requires extensive problem solving, systems thinking, decision-making, relationship development and business communication skills. The incumbent may represent the department in interdepartmental work teams and cross ministry teams. 
 
Critical to this role is a broad knowledge and understanding of current and emerging economic and public policy issues and their sensitivities, and the ability to conceive innovative solutions that balance competing perspectives and interests of public and private stakeholders. Your leadership in this context will help achieve the business plan goals and fostering solutions to support regional economic development and program development in Alberta.

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.

To effectively fulfill the responsibilities of the Research and Policy Analyst role, the following competencies are essential:

• Agility: This position works in a unit where direction can change quickly, so the incumbent needs to be able to adjust work focus and workload to adapt.
• Creative Problem Solving: Position is expected to independently execute research projects that support economic policy priorities, which are multi-faceted and may not have precedents.
• Drive for Results: The incumbent will be expected to proactively conduct research and environmental scanning to build awareness of industry trends and issues at the provincial, national and international level.
• Systems Thinking: In developing policy responses, this position must consider the larger international, national, and provincial policy context and how it affects Alberta economic policy interests, as well as the impact of current choices on future policy decisions.
• Develop Networks: The incumbent needs to assist the unit with developing collaborative networks and maintain strong cross-departmental and external linkages to ensure effective information exchange, collaboration, and policy development.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

• University degree in related areas such as Business, Economics, Public Policy, or Social Sciences; 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.
  
  

For application consideration, you must attach a cover letter explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.

The following knowledge, skills or experiences are considered as assets:

• Strong research, planning and execution skills.
  
  
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis skills. Ability to apply research methods and analysis tools to identify issues, gaps and opportunities to address the issues.
  
  
• Time management skills. Ability to manage multiple requests/competing priorities and meet tight timelines.
  
  
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal. Effectively helps and follows through on inquiries, requests, and concerns from colleagues, clients and stakeholders. Experience writing reports and/or briefing notes is considered an asset.
  
  
• Ability to function well in a team-based environment that demands a high level of interpersonal skills.
  
  
• Ability to foster good stakeholder relations with internal and external stakeholders; able to request and evaluate information, collaborate with staff in the department and partner ministries, and problem solve/seek guidance when information is not supplied.
  
  
• Ability to support efforts among diverse teams in developing strategies, analyses or policy and program development.
  
  
• Experience preparing and providing options analysis, reports, briefings and presentations would be considered an asset.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classifcation. Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a permenant, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

Working location will be Edmonton, Alberta.

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 attention to detail skills.

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

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted, or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

Links and information on what the Government of Alberta 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.