Senior Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Policy, the Senior Policy Analyst plays a lead role in developing and deploying innovative projects including information enhancements, process improvement initiatives, transportation safety programs, regulatory reviews, and operational policy projects.

As the Senior Policy Analyst, you will play an important project management role on all program initiatives and will be one of the branch's leads on high priority and high-profile files. You will also take the lead on advising senior Transportation and Economic Corridor officials on the deployment of new initiatives and the improvement of existing programs.
 

The Senior Policy Analyst plays a key communications role by researching and drafting communications on various technical matters as they relate to transportation safety. This role is a critical link between divisional branches branch, Assistant Deputy Minister's Office, and other divisions within Transportation and Economic Corridors. In this position you will collaborates with diverse subject matter experts to gather information and identify opportunities to inform Albertans and industry on traffic vehicle safety initiatives.

This position provides support to the branch and unit in the development of programs, strategic policy, system planning and legislation impacting traffic safety. This position undertakes the following responsibilities and activities either independently or as part of a cross-departmental or cross-ministry team.

Responsibilities: 

The main responsibilities of this position are (but not limited to):
 

• Program Implementation
  By facilitating planning and program options that align with government and ministry priorities. Leading multiple project initiatives across different sections, branches, and departments. Collaborating with other teams and technical experts to develop implementable and measurable programs that enhance on-road safety and foster economic development. Advising senior management on the development and implementation of high-profile initiatives. Evaluating project results and presenting recommendation for next steps.

• Policy Analysis and Advice
  By researching and developing new policy proposals, analyzing implications of options, outcomes, and the impact on Albertans, identifying potential risks and propose strategies to manage/mitigate identified risk, and plan for the implementation of policy decisions. Evaluating existing traffic safety policies, identifying strengths and weaknesses of the policies, determining inter-jurisdictional comparisons, assessing financial and outcome impacts of these policies, and proposing changes to amend and change the policies to achieve government policy directions. Analyzing implications of options and consider the views of other internal and external stakeholders in terms of opportunities, risks, costs, and benefits of policy options, including implementation and delivery mechanisms. Coordinating and preparing a range of materials (e.g. letters, briefing notes, reports, presentations, visuals, Cabinet decision-making documents, etc.) for recommendation for senior officials and executive team (e.g. Director, Executive Director, Assistant Deputy Minister, Minister, etc.).

Role Responsibilities - page 2

• Project Management
  Leading and supporting multi-phase/multi-stakeholder activities, projects and events that influence the evolution of the transportation system, including demographic, policy, legislative, and economic analysis. Preparing and collaborating on the development and implementation of communication strategies and plans, key messages, and question & answer materials for Cabinet-bound packages, public releases and announcements, website, and other modes of delivery. Working with and influence internal and external partners and stakeholders to develop and monitor implementation and evaluation plans.

• Engagement and Consultation (with Key Stakeholders, Clients, and the Public at large)
  Leading project teams to identify, research, and developing engagement plans and actions, identifying potential risks and propose strategies to manage/mitigate identified risk, planning for the implementation of engagement, executing engagements. Pro-actively building and maintaining positive relationships with key stakeholders to identify strategies and initiatives that influence and impact the transportation system. Resolving stakeholder conflicts, managing, and prioritizing issues that come before committees and working groups.

This position requires effective leadership, analytical, and problem-solving skills to respond to sensitive, diverse, and complex issues. Collaboration with stakeholders, integration of evidence into programs and policies, and understanding and working within the governance relationship between stakeholders are key aspects of this position. The ability to apply a multi-disciplinary approach is key.

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: Ability to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
   
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments: Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
   
• Systems Thinking: The work done within the APS is part of a larger integrated and inter-related environment. It is important to know that work done in one part of the APS impacts a variety of other groups/projects inside and outside the APS. Systems thinking allows us to keep broader impacts and connections in mind.
   
• Creative Problem Solving: Ability to assess options and implications in new ways to achieve outcomes and solutions.

Qualifications

Required:
 

• Bachelor’s degree in Arts, Business Administration, Law, Public Administration, Sciences or a related field. 
• 4 years experience in policy and/or program development.
• Extensive research and analysis experience. 

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered based on:
 

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

Assets:
 

• Knowledge of Alberta's traffic safety programs and those outside the province
• Experience leading policy analysis, research, development, and implementation, including outreach and consultation activities.
• Experience in developing policy options for senior management under tight deadlines and in emergency situations.
• Experience in coordinating a variety of projects, handle tight deadlines, multi-task and re-prioritize workload.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills, including ability to critically analyze issues and integrate information.
• Experience in drafting correspondence for recommendations to senior officials and executive management that includes letters, briefing notes, reports, presentations, visuals, Cabinet decision-making documents, etc.
• Organizational abilities, including the ability to manage several complex issues at the same time while still achieving results within appropriate timeframes.
• Verbal and written communication skills to develop written analysis and deliver information to senior officials, often where the subject-matter is technical.
• Relationship building and teamwork skills.

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

Term of Employment:   Permanent, Full-time position. 

Hours of Work:  36.25 hrs./week - Monday to Friday 

Location: Edmonton.

Final candidate may be required to undergo security screening.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level. 

Cover Letter: Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies. 

Resume: For Employment Experience, please indicate duration of employment (month, year). Please specify employment status (i.e., Casual, part-time, or full-time)
Ex: Youth Worker, Jan 2006 - June 2009, Part-time (three 8 hr. shifts/week)

For any Post-Secondary Education:

Please specify your major and length of program and the year you graduated.
Ex: Bachelor of Social Work, 4-year Degree (Graduated 2017)

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 has 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
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreement.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.