Senior Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Join our team! We’re recruiting two permanent Senior Policy Analysts to help shape Alberta’s adult learning system!

Reporting to the Manager, Post-secondary Policy, the Senior Policy Analyst contributes to and sometimes leads the end-to-end policy cycle – issues identification, research and analysis, engagement, options development, decision-making materials, implementation, and evaluation – to advance Alberta’s adult learning system.
The position requires consideration of complex programs, funding approaches, research, and stakeholder perspectives, ensuring alignment with legislation, government priorities, and system needs. Operating within established legislation, regulations, and directives, the position directly influences the adult learning system and provincial policy direction.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading or supporting the full policy cycle, including environmental scanning, research, stakeholder engagement, option development, decision materials, implementation planning, and evaluation.
• Preparing high quality policy documents (briefing notes, Cabinet materials, issue notes, consultation and legislative documents).
• Supporting strategic initiatives, participating in and occasionally leading policy committees and project teams.
• Providing analysis and recommendations on emerging issues, system trends, and legislative or regulatory changes.
• Collaborating across divisions and ministries to ensure policy alignment and coherence.
• Preparing materials for the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Executive Team.
• Supporting branch operations through coordination, continuous improvement, and relationship building with internal and external stakeholders.
• Providing mentorship and guidance to policy analysts, including workload support, coaching, and contributing to staff development.

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 – Monitors socio-economic and political environments and integrates broader GoA and ministry objectives into policy options and products.
  
  
• Develop Networks – Builds strong relationships with colleagues across the department and cross-ministry partners; communicates policy direction effectively to diverse audiences.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving – Seeks root causes, synthesizes evidence from multiple sources and proposes innovative, risk-aware policy options for complex issues.
  
  
• Agility – Adapts quickly to changing priorities and delivers high-quality policy products under tight timelines; anticipates impacts of change.
  
  
• Develop Self and Others – Pursues continuous learning and shares knowledge; mentors team members to strengthen policy capacity.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (e.g., Public Administration, Political Science, Economics, Education) plus 4 years of progressive responsible related experience in policy research, analysis and development.

Equivalencies will be considered 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.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following assets:

• Deep understanding of Alberta’s adult learning system (providers, roles, mandates, accountability and funding).
• Experience preparing decision materials for senior officials (e.g., briefing notes, Cabinet committee submissions).
• Demonstrated success leading or supporting policy initiatives with cross-ministry and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge of legislative processes and experience contributing to regulatory/legislative amendments.
• Advanced research, analytical and strategic thinking skills; ability to synthesize complex information into clear recommendations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with political sensitivity, discretion and sound judgment.
• Strong project planning/management skills; ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to deadlines.
  

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

These are two full-time positions working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday based out of Edmonton.

Candidates are required to submit resume and cover letter that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. It’s important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role’s qualifications and needs.

Cover letters are mandatory. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be screened.

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

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, may need to provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

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.
• Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.