Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

This position has a supportive role in carrying out complex engagement, stakeholder communications and change management program development projects. Projects can range from short-term assignments requiring keen and strategic analysis with quick turnarounds, to long-term projects with multiple components, and providing recommendations which include options, risks, and supporting evidence. Responsibilities include planning, evaluation, analysis and reporting of stakeholder engagement; providing guidance to project working groups; and consulting with stakeholders. 

Responsibilities: 

• Provides expert, strategic, and sound advice to senior management and staff on initiatives and/or programs.
• Prepares reports, recommendations, briefing materials, and makes presentations to management and/or external stakeholders for information and/or decisions.
• Analyzes alternative means of meeting objectives, including the review of initiatives of other jurisdictions, and evaluating the various implications of these options.
• Identifies gaps in program needs and provides analysis on pertinent research areas
• Leads divisional and strategic program initiatives.
• Chairs committees or meetings and/or makes presentations on the interests and priorities, as required.
• Influences outcomes of projects that affect program initiatives by exercising a high degree of interpersonal skills with stakeholders.
• Anticipates challenges with content and proactively mitigates concerns and advocates program priorities.
• Independently represents program interests at meetings and working groups.

If you are ready to seize this exciting opportunity to make an impact within the System refocusing division, please apply today, we would like to meet you!

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: You anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across interrelated areas and will factor this into planning.
• Develop Networks: Proactively build networks, connecting and building trust in relationships with different stakeholders.
• Agility: The successful candidate will have the ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing situations and issues, while making well thought-out recommendations.
• Creative Problem Solving: Breaks down problems, undertakes appropriate research and investigation and draws on experiences to solve problems. For example, suggesting improvements to current processes and identifying efficiencies. 

Qualifications

University degree in a related field (Public Health, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Public Administration, Communications, Political Science or Business) plus 4 years 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.

Related experience: 

• Experience facilitating engagement with stakeholders.
• Experience understanding and analyzing competing interests of stakeholders to develop programs.
• Strong experience in planning, leading, and managing projects
• Strong experience in research methodologies, data analysis, and preparing recommendations.
• Strong experience in systems thinking to support change management program development and deployment across a broad spectrum of stakeholders.
• Strong experience of the theory and practice of program/project/policy development, analysis, implementation, and evaluation techniques to assess the new/changed policies.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written).
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.

The following would be considered assets: 

• Knowledge of Government structures and procedures.
• Understanding of the Government of Alberta decision-making process and practices.
• Working knowledge of the interrelationships between the province and federal government.
• Leading a team or supervisory experience.

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required.

Notes

This competition will be used to staff TWO (2) Full time permanent positions.

Hours of Work
7.25 hours daily/ 36.25 hours weekly, Monday to Friday
 
Location
ATB Place North, 10025 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta. This position requires working from the office with an option to qualify for a hybrid work arrangement (in accordance with GOA policy).

Other information: 

• This position maybe used to fill future vacancies across the Government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary. 
• Top candidates may be required to undergo security screening.
• As a part of the recruitment process, candidates may be invited to complete a written assessment.

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.

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.
• Pension plans: 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 agreements.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.