Senior Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager of Defence Strategic Initiatives, the Senior Policy Advisor contributes to a team responsible for the development, integration and execution of strategies and initiatives to support economic growth, diversification, investment competitiveness and job creation in Alberta. Key areas of focus are:

1. Defence strategic initiatives development, implementation and alignment.
2. Stakeholder outreach and engagement planning and facilitation; and
3. Strategic option development for high impact federal and private defence sector investments.

Responsibilities include:

Within the context of the Ministry business plan, program initiatives, priorities, and outcomes, the purpose of the Senior Policy Advior job includes core roles and responsibilities of contract and grant management:

• Defence Strategy Development and Alignment Activities – Lead the development of strategic advice, briefings, recommendations, and communications for senior leadership on defence-related issues, opportunities, and initiatives, while providing policy analysis and facilitating the timely exchange of information with stakeholders.
• Stakeholder Outreach and Engagement – Build and maintain stakeholder networks to gather intelligence, inform policy development, support integrated defence initiatives, identify risks, and provide strategic advice through briefings, correspondence, and stakeholder analysis.
• Support the development of strategic, customized options for Government of Canada and private sector defence investments and priorities – Identify and analyze barriers to strategic defence investments, assess risks and opportunities, evaluate alignment with government priorities, and develop tailored options and recommendations to support investment decisions and stakeholder collaboration.
• Relationship management – Apply discretion, professional judgment, and neutrality to resolve complex issues with external providers/contractors, while effectively handling trusting transparent relationships; build and maintain effective networks; represent the Ministry in inter-departmental committees and cross-Ministry initiatives as required.
• Support the unit and the division to accomplish operational goals – Prepare reports and briefing materials, support planning and reporting activities, identify emerging issues for senior leadership, and provide leadership, mentorship, and project coordination within the team.

This position relies on political acumen and a thorough understanding of government decision making processes in order to adequately advise and support the Manager and Director and provide strategic advice on a range of economic issues to cross-ministry partners and external stakeholders.

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 – This position often works in the grey and situations and obstacles encountered are often nebulous without a clear path to resolution. The Senior Policy Advisor needs to be prepared to develop alternate options. Direction can often change quickly, therefore there is the need to adapt.
• Build Collaborative Environments – The position must work with various internal and external stakeholders at various levels. Proactive relationship building, and effective collaboration, are critical. The Senior Policy Advisor must demonstrate the ability to gain trust and understand and evaluate diverse perspectives.
• Drive for Results – The Senior Policy Advisor must be the lead on a variety of regular and ad-hoc initiatives to provide smart, strategic and timely advice and solutions for rapidly evolving and varied issues, while driving for solutions and demonstrating accountability. 
• Systems Thinking – Working with other divisions, departments and industry stakeholders to identify issues and develop recommendations, often in an unclear or complex environment. Anticipates problems and considers interconnectivity across the department, gov and partners.

Qualifications

University graduation in Business, Economics, Public Administration, Economic development, Political Science or a related field plus four years related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis.

Assets:

• Strong problem solving skills are essential to being able to coordinate timely and effective issue resolution given the constrained environment and complexity of issues.
• Proven ability to establish positive working relationships and demonstrated success in managing complex issues within short timelines.
• Demonstrated interpersonal and team skills with the ability to lead/coordinate activities of a team to achieve the desired ends, and participate as an effective team member.
• The position requires sound knowledge of project management approaches, as well as successful achievement of objectives originating from minimal or uncertain direction.
• The position requires a strong working knowledge of economic development principles, tools and practices, specifically those related to best practices in investment and growth.
• Experience working on cross-ministry projects or teams.
• Strong verbal communication skills and ability to write in a clear and succinct manner.
• The position requires a strong working knowledge of economic development principles, tools and practices, specifically those related to best practices in economic strategy.
   

Experience working on cross-ministry projects or teams is required.

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 (1) temporary position (24 months) working 36.25 hours Monday to Friday.

Work location is Edmonton.

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing attention to detail skills.

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.