Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Senior Policy Advisor, in the Health Innovation Partnerships and Strategy Unit, provides support for strategy and policy development; committee participation and support; opportunities in health research and innovation. Key areas of focus for this role are:

• Participate in the development of research, analysis, and advice on health innovation policy and strategy development for the Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services.
• Support the design, evaluation, and management of funding portfolios that accelerate adoption of innovative health solutions.
• Management of grants, including reviewing proposals, developing agreements, identifying outcomes, and analyzing reports.
• Identify strategic innovation opportunities, facilitate collaborations, and support projects that use health data to improve outcomes and health system efficiency.
• Develop financial models and impact assessments to inform funding decisions and optimize portfolio performance.
• Track and report on portfolio outcomes, including health impact metrics, return on investment, and strategic alignment with organizational goals.
• Assist in cultivating and managing strategic partnerships with healthcare providers, research institutions, philanthropic organizations, and government agencies.
• Participate in data-driven health innovation collaborations both within government and with external partners, providing strategic advice and leadership to advance health system priorities.
• Provide strategic advice on opportunities and collaborations in health research and innovation, and contribute to special projects (i.e., strategic roadmaps that advance organizational priorities in health innovation).
• Prepare briefing materials, presentations, and reports for senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• Monitor policy developments, regulatory frameworks, and funding mechanisms relevant to health innovation.
• Provide strategic support to the Manager and Director on committee functions, including developing meeting materials and other documents to support committee objectives, and collating and summarizing information from committees to inform key decision makers and executive management. 

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.

• System Thinking: Demonstrates an understanding of inter-relationships, long-term implications, and potential unintended consequences to inform decisions and achieve strategic goals.
• Creative Problem Solving: Seeks to understand issues deeply, explore new approaches, and uses diverse data and perspectives to identify improvements and innovative solutions.
• Build Collaborative Environment: Facilitates open communication and leverages team skill.
• Agility: Adapts effectively to changing environments by anticipating shifts, staying composed under pressure, and taking initiative to improve processes within established guidelines.
• Drive for Results: Acts proactively to exceed expectations by planning effectively, taking accountability, and collaborating with others to achieve meaningful and measurable outcomes.

Qualifications

A University Degree in a related field (e.g. public health sciences, social/policy sciences, public administration or health administration), and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in health policy.  

Equivalencies: Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of: 

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

Knowledge:

• Strong project and resource management skills, with the ability to manage multiple and diverse projects at one time
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to understand qualitative and quantitative research methodology and results
• Advanced understanding of policy development and strategic planning processes.
• Awareness of, understanding of and appetite for provincial, national, international issues, trends and drivers that could influence health, and research and innovation systems.
• Broad knowledge regarding Alberta’s health system, including policy, legislation, and funding of health services, and the roles and relationships of the key stakeholders in the health system.

Asset:

• Experience in health technology assessment and/or related methodologies
• Understanding of health research and innovation and/or the medical device or pharmaceutical industry
• Experience in grant management
• Certification or demonstrated expertise in knowledge translation, stakeholder engagement and facilitation
• Master’s degree in a related field

Skills:

• Strong interpersonal, presentation and communication skills ( written and oral) to effectively communicate, advise and consult with clients, stakeholders and diverse audiences.
• Ability to think critically and analyze sources of information to support policy and strategy development.
• Ability to assess complex, multifaceted issues (including health system, policy, financial considerations) and develop recommendations and communicate conclusions, risks and implications in tight timelines.
  
  

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

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week.

Location
ATB Place North, Edmonton, Alberta.

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.