Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Are you passionate about shaping public policy and strengthening mental health and addiction systems across Alberta? The Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction is seeking a dynamic Senior Policy Advisor to play a key role in advancing intergovernmental collaboration and supporting system-wide policy oversight.

In this role, you will contribute to the development and coordination of strategic policy initiatives, ensuring Alberta’s mental health and addiction system is aligned with government priorities and responsive to the needs of Albertans. You will work in a fast-paced environment, providing timely advice, leading engagement across jurisdictions, and supporting decision-making at senior levels.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate intergovernmental engagement by organizing and supporting meetings, discussions, and collaborative initiatives across federal, provincial, and territorial partners, ensuring Alberta’s interests are effectively represented.
• Conduct jurisdictional scans and environmental analysis to assess policy landscapes, emerging trends, and service delivery models, providing evidence-based insights to support decision-making.
• Develop strategic advice and materials for senior leadership, including briefing notes, correspondence, and presentations for Executive Directors, Assistant Deputy Ministers, and the Minister.
• Support the development of policy options by analyzing issues, identifying risks and opportunities, and recommending practical, aligned solutions.
• Coordinate the review of intergovernmental agreements, ensuring compliance with Government of Alberta policies, legislation, and established processes.
• Foster strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including other ministries, agencies, and central agencies, to support integrated and collaborative approaches.
• Promote coordination and integration of activities across the branch and ministry to support system oversight and effective program delivery.
• Provide timely analysis and advice on complex issues, demonstrating sound judgment in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Support branch leadership and operations, including contributing to priority projects and providing back-up support as needed to ensure continuity of work.
  
  

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: Considers inter relationships and emerging trends by evaluating options, anticipating long term outcomes, and identifying unintended consequences.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to drive continuous improvement by asking questions, exploring different methods, sharing insights, and using diverse perspectives to inform decisions.
  
  
• Develop Networks: Ability to maintain strong stakeholder relationships by engaging key partners, incorporating diverse needs, and influencing others through effective communication.
  
  
• Drive for Results: Ability to exceed goals by planning from experience, partnering with others, maintaining accountability, and aiming to surpass expectations.

Qualifications

• University graduation in health, human services, public administration or social sciences, and a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience related to the role; 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.

Required Experience:

• Experience coordinating intergovernmental or multi-stakeholder initiatives, including organizing meetings, facilitating discussions, and advancing priorities across jurisdictions or partner organizations. 
• Experience conducting policy research, analysis, and jurisdictional scans, and synthesizing findings to support evidence-based decision-making. 
• Experience developing briefing materials and strategic advice for senior leadership, such as briefing notes, correspondence, or presentations. 
• Experience supporting policy development and implementation, including analyzing issues, identifying risks and options, and contributing to policy or program recommendations.

Assets:

• Experience supporting or coordinating intergovernmental agreements or initiatives, including familiarity with government processes and compliance requirements.
• Experience developing business cases or funding proposals, including articulating policy options, impacts, and recommendations.
• Knowledge of mental health and addiction systems, programs, or policy environments, particularly within a public sector context.
• Experience working within government or large public sector organizations, including collaboration with central agencies or multiple ministries.
  
  

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:

• 8:15 am to 4:30 pm
• 36.25 hours per week (full-time) Monday to Friday
• This is a temporary position.
  
  

Location: Commerce Place Building, 10155 - 102 Street, Edmonton, AB T5J 4G8

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

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.

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.