Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Working closely with team members including the Managers and Directors in the branch, JETI colleagues, and contacts in key ministries, the Senior Policy Advisor will prepare strategic internal and external reports, briefings, and communications. This requires extensive problem solving, systems thinking, decision-making, relationship development, and business communication skills. The incumbent represents the department in interdepartmental work teams and cross ministry teams. The incumbent's technical, research, and communication skills are essential to help the Unit, Branch, and Department in achieving the business plan goals to create an environment that attracts investment and job creation opportunities.

The role will require a strong ability to scope and perform jurisdictional, market, economic, and statistical research and analysis; provide strategic and policy advice related to the industrial economy; and more broadly to identify opportunities to stimulate economic growth, diversification and resiliency, by enhancing opportunities for Alberta's industries. The incumbent is responsible for coordinating engagement with technical contacts within the department, across Ministries, and with key stakeholders for the purpose of developing policy responses on relevant issues.

Responsibilities include:

1. Develop and communicate high-quality research and analysis on competitiveness issues and opportunities related to productivity, logistics and other prioritized sectors, regulatory reform, and industry growth.
2. Provide impartial, well-reasoned, well-supported, and impactful advice on competitiveness issues and opportunities in the industrial economy, to help ensure Alberta remains a highly competitive destination for job-creating investment.
3.  Advance policy work to fulfill the mandate item to support other ministries to remove barriers to the growth and development of Alberta's airports to increase our province's economic competitiveness.
4. Create collaborative networks within the Department and across the Government.
5. Other related duties as assigned by management which support the purpose of the job without expanding the complexity of the main responsibilities.

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.

Drive for Results - The Senior Policy Advisor is expected to achieve goals by planning the approach, executing the plan, and collaborating with the relevant colleagues and stakeholders to achieve results.

Creative Problem Solving - When faced with challenging projects, the Senior Policy Advisor is expected to explore alternative approaches and develop innovative methods to analyze problems. This will require fast learning and collaboration with others to fully understand and approach multifaceted issues.

Agility - Position often works in the grey and situations and obstacles encountered are often nebulous without a clear path to resolution. Direction can often change quickly, so need to adeptly adapt and repurpose.

Build Collaborative Environment - Position communicates Branch interests and seeks inputs from other departments/divisions/branches and relevant stakeholders to ensure understanding of the required analysis. Continues to communicate with them until the completion of the project and/or as part of ongoing working relationship development.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field like Economics, Policy Studies, Public Administration, Business plus four years of progressive, applied policy experience in a government setting is required, including: demonstrated expertise in policy development, approval processes and implementation; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience is considered on the basis of one year of education for one year of experience; or one year of experience for one year of education.

Knowledge and/or experience of the following are considered assets for this position:

• Extensive experience working with and supporting strategic planning and policy development, including issue identification, policy analysis and policy design.
• Extensive experience preparing and providing options analysis, reports, briefings, and presentations.
• Well-developed research, analytical, and problem-solving skills to interpret key economic and industry information (quantitative and qualitative), with a knowledge of reliable data sources for economic research.
• Strong understanding of Alberta’s economy and key issues faced by Alberta's industries and their competitiveness.
• Knowledge of provincial, municipal and federal legislation, policies, and public/non-profit programs/supports related to economic, industry and business development. 
• Strong written and verbal communications skills. Experience writing reports and/or executive briefing notes on complex issues. 
• Project management and time management skills. 
• Ability to function well in a team-based environment that demands a high level of interpersonal skills. 
• Ability to complete tasks independently. 
• Critical thinking and analysis.
• Ability to identify and process large quantities of information, often coming from multiple sources, usually in a rapidly changing environment, and understand its implications.

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

There is one temporary, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is based in Edmonton.

Candidates are required to submit a 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) details.

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.

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 - 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.