Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Hospital and Surgical Health Services has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team!

Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for driving transformative innovation in health care? We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Senior Policy Advisor to lead strategic system-level initiatives that advance transformative health system innovation across the province. You will serve as a key liaison between government, healthcare providers, industry, and academic institutions to foster partnerships and a culture of collaborative innovation to improve health system performance and patient outcomes.

This position will be responsible for the following duties: 

• Foster and sustain strategic relationships with health system leaders, clinical networks, academic researchers, and industry partners to identify opportunities for cross-sector collaboration and transformative innovation.
• Champion a coordinated, system-wide approach to health innovation by fostering a culture of collaboration and co-designing innovation support platforms that accelerate the development, adoption, and scaling of health solutions.
• Evaluate and strengthen public, private, and non-profit partnerships to align shared innovation objectives, resources, and outcomes to support sustainable health system transformation.
• Support strategic planning through the preparation of briefings, performance reports, analysis, and evidence-based recommendations for senior leadership and government stakeholders.
• Monitor, analyze, and synthesize trends in health technologies, system gaps, and industry developments to inform innovation strategies and program design.
• Maintain ongoing engagement with key stakeholders across the health ecosystem to gather insights, identify emerging needs, and assess potential solutions.
• Review and assess proposals to support innovation initiatives aligned with ministry priorities and cross-sector collaboration goals.
• Monitor policy and regulatory developments and prepare briefing materials outlining implications for health system innovation and technology adoption.
• Develop clear, concise briefing materials that address stakeholder considerations, assess risks, propose solutions, and recommend actionable next steps.

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.

• Agility: Proactively steps in to support team needs; anticipates change and adapts behaviour accordingly; remains open to change; and leverages opportunities to improve program development and implementation processes.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Fosters opportunities for project teams and stakeholders to share information; respects others' point-of-view; encourages or facilitates conflict resolution; and recognizes successes of all groups involved.
• Creative Problem Solving: Helps manage projects with multiple stakeholders, applying strong planning, analytical, and creative problem‑solving skills to develop effective and innovative solutions. 
• Develop Networks: Builds relationships by: following through on commitments; demonstrating integrity and respect for others; informing key stakeholders of relevant information in a timely manner; and applies the perspectives and needs of colleagues and stakeholders.
• Drive for Results: Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities; factors in complexity of issues and aligns plans based on government direction; removes barriers to collaboration; and provides informed advice.
• Develop self and others:  Leads and supports a high‑performing team by providing clear guidance and coaching.; delivers timely, constructive feedback; and leverages individual strengths when assigning responsibilities to maximize team effectiveness.
• Systems Thinking: Anticipates outcomes and interdependencies across complex, connected areas, and incorporates these insights into effective planning and decision‑making.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards

Requirements:

• University degree in health administration, public health, business or in a related field, plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.
• For your application to be considered, a cover letter explaining your qualifications and suitability for this role must be attached with your application. 

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.

The following knowledge or experiences are considered as assets:

• Understanding of health system innovation and the cultural, structural, financial, and policy factors influencing adoption and scale of technologies or process improvements.
• Knowledge of Alberta’s health innovation ecosystem, including startups, business support organizations, research institutions, and funding organizations.
• Strong project management, coordination, research and analytical skills, records management, and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communications skills (written and oral) and interpersonal skills are necessary to collaborate effectively with colleagues as well as with internal and external stakeholders.
• Experience in writing various documents including reports, briefings, reviews, policy development, and official correspondence.

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 competition is a full-time permanent position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is located in Edmonton, Alberta. 

An additional assignment may be used as part of the recruitment process.

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.

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.