Senior Engagement Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Senior Engagement Specialist provides consultation, analysis, facilitation, research, and project management services relating to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of stakeholder engagement initiatives for Ministry program areas or stakeholder groups.  This position also works with the branch management team to deliver major Ministry-sponsored strategic stakeholder engagement initiatives, develop and implement innovative and consistent approaches for stakeholder engagement, and contribute to the preparation of department strategies and plans.

In addition, the Senior Engagement Specialist leads the development and delivery of post-secondary student engagement initiatives on behalf of Alberta Advanced Education.  This position provides programming development, relationship building, research and analysis, and event coordination services to enhance the capacity of post-secondary students to offer meaningful input to Ministry decisions impacting their education and the broader adult learning system.  The Senior Engagement Specialist plans and organizes student engagement initiatives, creates resource and presentation materials, analyzes data, and reports on student engagement results, findings, and recommendations.

Consultation and project management are critical aspects of this position, with the Senior Engagement Specialist planning and coordinating resources to identify client and stakeholder requirements, developing project plans, delegating responsibilities to project teams, and managing activities to ensure deliverables relating to stakeholder engagement initiatives are completed as planned. This position also participates in Ministry and external teams and working groups to provide stakeholder engagement expertise and represent the perspectives and requirements of the unit as appropriate.  Reporting to the Manager, the Senior Engagement Specialist functions within the parameters of applicable legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines.  

Responsibilities Include:
 

Consultation, expertise, analysis, facilitation, research and project management services are provided to support the planning and delivery of stakeholder engagement activities for program area and Ministry-sponsored initiatives.  
 

• Develops plans and documents in support of stakeholder engagement events and facilitation processes, including terms of reference, session plans, stakeholder analyses, agendas, and presentations.
• Determines appropriate methods and techniques to achieve identified stakeholder engagement outcomes, facilitate information gathering, and coordinate associated development and distribution of information.  
• Analyzes data and documentation secured through stakeholder engagement events, sessions and initiatives, including analyzing and preparing summaries of results, reports, and recommendations.

Role Responsibilities (Continued)

Lead in the development and implementation of innovative engagement processes and initiatives to provide post-secondary students with opportunities for meaningful input to strategic decisions at the Ministry and system levels.  
 

• Disseminates information and facilitates discussions at student engagement events and meetings.
• Researches, analyzes, and shares data and information on trends and issues facing Alberta students.
• Prepares action request responses, ministerial correspondence, briefing notes, and other documents pertaining to student engagement issues and events.

Build collaborative relationships which are initiated, supported, maintained, fostered and enhanced, with representatives of the ministry, other Government departments, the adult learning system, and stakeholder organizations.  
 

• Facilitates the sharing of trends, issues and best practices by working closely with stakeholder organizations and facilitating connections across the system.
• Demonstrates leadership and works to facilitate and build an understanding among internal and external stakeholders of the ministry's strategic direction, mandates and priorities.

Enhances stakeholder engagement capacity throughout the Ministry through actively planning and implementing engagement initiatives and guiding and/or advising colleagues on their engagement efforts. 
 

• Coordinates the gathering and dissemination of information regarding stakeholder profiles and engagement activity through data collection, report writing, and presentations. 
• Analyzes project plans, reports, and other documentation for the stakeholder impact, reaction or engagement needs.  

The Manager and the Strategic Initiatives and Engagement Unit is supported in achieving the Unit, Branch, Division and Ministry mandate and goals.
 

• Monitors and analyzes briefings, reports, news releases, newspaper articles, media coverage, and other publications and information sources to identify emerging issues with potential to impact the branch.
• Provides cover-off and Acting responsibility as needed for the Manager, Stakeholder Relations. 

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

The position operates with independence and demonstrates judgement in evaluating the political sensitivity and potential controversy associated with correspondence. It ensures the department position and program area perspectives are reflected in responses and other written material. It anticipates and identifies issues of an urgent, sensitive, or contentious nature requiring the attention of the Manager.

Competencies for this position include:
 

• Agility – Demonstrated ability to manage and adapt to change. Ability to manage human, financial and physical resources within an operating environment.
   
• Drive for Results – Leadership skills, including demonstrated ability and comfort with decision making responsibilities, coaching and teaching, and the ability to inspire and build confidence in others.
   
• Develop Self and Others – Proven ability to foster partnerships and to achieve organizational goals within an organization.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments – Strong track record in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
   
• Develop Networks – Ability to foster a climate of cooperation amongst, and build solid relationships with public agencies, government committees and other partners.
   
• Systems Thinking – Effective leadership abilities combined with a strong commitment to operating within a team environment and the ability to motivate and inspire other to achieve common goals.
   
• Creative Problem Solving – Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.

Qualifications

Requirements:
 

• A University Degree in social sciences or related field and a minimum of 4 years’ related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

Assets:
 

• Knowledge of research methodology, both qualitative and quantitative 
• Knowledge of project planning and management principles
• Understanding of the provincial adult learning system, including current and emerging issues and the administrative structures of institutions and other stakeholder organizations
• Knowledge of applicable legislation, regulations, policies and guidelines (e.g. Post-Secondary Learning Act)

Your application must be accompanied with a cover letter that outlines how your education and experience make you suitable for the role. Your cover letter and resume will be used as a screening tool to assess your written communication skills. An additional written assignment may be used as part of the interview process.

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

• Shortlisted candidates may be required to undergo a written assessment.
• Final candidates might be required to undergo a security screening.
• Parking is not provided for this position.
• Employee annual professional fees/dues are not covered for this position. 

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.

Applicants are required to provide a cover letter outlining how their experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job advertisement. 
 
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. For example: January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hr shifts/week).

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

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees:
 

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/about-the-alberta-public-service
• 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
• 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