Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will provide strategic leadership and coordination in the development, facilitation, and implementation of health and social policy initiatives within the Ministry and across Alberta. This role plays a critical part in advancing the transformation of Alberta’s continuing care system by enabling more Albertans to age at home and enhancing the quality of care and life in continuing care homes.

You will lead complex policy development projects, including defining project scope, planning and monitoring activities, identifying required resources, assessing risks, and developing mitigation strategies. Your work will ensure alignment with government priorities and support informed decision-making across sectors.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leadership & Coordination: Provide guidance and oversight to internal and external teams involved in health policy development, ensuring effective collaboration and knowledge transfer across stakeholders.
• Strategic Project Management: Lead planning and execution of initiatives that support continuing care transformation, including stakeholder engagement, issue management, budget oversight, and performance monitoring.
• Policy Research & Analysis: Conduct environmental scans, literature reviews, and data analysis to identify emerging trends and inform evidence-based policy development.
• Communication & Stakeholder Engagement: Develop clear, concise communication materials and resources to support policy initiatives. Respond to stakeholder inquiries and facilitate cross-sector collaboration using strong analytical and interpersonal skills.
• Intergovernmental Collaboration: Participate in internal and external working groups, consult on legislative matters, and provide strategic input to advance continuing care priorities across government and community partners.

This role requires a strategic thinker with strong leadership, analytical, and communication skills, capable of navigating complex policy environments and driving meaningful change in Alberta’s health system.

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.

As the Senior Policy Advisor, in addition to your education and experience, you will demonstrate well-honed competencies in the following areas:

• Systems Thinking: Identify emerging issues, challenges, and opportunities, provide options for resolution and develop recommendations to prevent or mitigate legal or political risk associated with consultation initiatives. 
• Build Collaborative Environments: Teamwork-oriented to collaborate with ministry staff to plan, implement and assess specific programs to ensure the delivery of an integrated consultation program across the province.
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
• Develop Networks: Proactively develop and maintain effective partnerships with multiple stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding of diverse interests when supporting the engagement of Indigenous communities and the achievement of collaborative outcomes.
• Agility: Anticipate and adapt by focusing on long-term goals, changing the way we approach situations, using new ideas and solutions to achieve results.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (Finance, Economics, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Health) 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: Extensive experience in completing policy analysis and development in order to successfully manage policy projects which require analysis and the development of implementable recommendations.

Assets:

• Advance verbal and written communication, with the ability to navigate conflict and build consensus.
• Knowledge of the continuing care sector, including health or social care funding models, service delivery, legislation, and regulation
• Familiarity with policy analysis, government decision-making processes, and public consultation practices.
• Demonstrates excellent leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills.

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 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week.

This competition will be used to fill a temporary position. Applicants from anywhere in Alberta are welcome to apply. Office space will be secured at a suitable location based on successful candidates and operational requirements.

Please include a cover letter that clearly outlines your suitability for the role and highlights how your experience aligns with the position's requirements.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. A Criminal Record Check will only need to be provided upon request. 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.

Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada. 

Links and information on what the GoA have 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.
• 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.