Senior Policy Analyst

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Director, Post-secondary Research and Innovation Strategy, the Senior Policy Advisor contributes to the development of policies, strategies, frameworks and tools that strengthen the role of Alberta’s post-secondary institutions in the province’s research and innovation ecosystem. This position provides research, analysis, strategic advice and leadership on complex policy files, supports cross-ministry and stakeholder collaboration, and helps advance priorities related to research commercialization, innovation, economic growth and Alberta 2030 Goal 3.

As the Senior Policy Advisor, your responsibilities will include:

• Strategic Policy Development: Develop and support strategies, frameworks, tools and policies that advance Alberta’s post-secondary research and innovation priorities.
  
  
• Research and Innovation Agenda: Conduct and coordinate policy research and analysis on emerging issues affecting Alberta’s research, commercialization and innovation ecosystem.
  
  
• Options and Recommendations: Develop evidence-informed policy options, advice and recommendations for senior leaders on complex research and innovation issues.
  
  
• Research Commercialization: Identify opportunities to strengthen research commercialization, attract research talent and leverage ministry programs and frameworks.
  
  
• Cross-Ministry Collaboration: Work with partner ministries to support a coordinated one-government approach to research priority setting, funding and related policy files.
  
  
• Stakeholder Engagement: Build and maintain collaborative relationships with post-secondary institutions, industry, Alberta Innovates and other partners to inform policy development.
  
  
• Issue Identification: Monitor emerging trends, jurisdictional leading practices and strategic opportunities that may affect Alberta’s post-secondary research and innovation system.
  
  
• Briefings and Decision Materials: Prepare background papers, discussion papers, issue briefings, key messages and decision-making documents for senior officials and elected leaders.
  
  
• Strategic Committees and Working Groups: Participate in, and when required lead, committees, teams and working groups related to research, innovation and broader adult learning policy priorities.
  
  
• Policy Alignment: Ensure research and innovation policies align with government priorities, ministry business planning, legislation, stakeholder needs and operational considerations.
  
  
• Branch Support and Leadership: Support the Director and Executive Director in advancing branch priorities, mentoring policy staff when needed and serving as Acting Manager when required.
  
  

The Job Description is provided for Further details on 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.

• Agility: Identifies and manages change, adapts to shifting priorities, anticipates obstacles and takes action in uncertain situations to keep complex policy work moving forward.
  
  
• Creative Problem Solving: Engages others and uses available evidence, resources and perspectives to identify root causes, improve complex systems and develop practical policy options.
  
  
• Build Collaborative Environments: Encourages collaboration across ministries, divisions, post-secondary partners, industry and stakeholders to support shared research and innovation outcomes.
  
  
• Develop Networks: Builds and maintains strong relationships with internal and external partners to advance policy development, research commercialization and strategic initiatives.
  
  
• Systems Thinking: Takes a long-term, whole-system view of policy issues by considering stakeholder perspectives, government priorities and impacts across Alberta’s research and innovation ecosystem.
  
  
• Develop Self and Others: Stays informed on emerging research and innovation issues, shares knowledge with colleagues and supports policy staff through coaching or mentoring when required.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in political science, public policy, public administration or Education plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience in policy analysis and development or similar; or equivalent as described below.

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 skills and experiences:

• Comprehensive knowledge of Alberta’s research and innovation ecosystem and the role of post-secondary institutions in advancing research, innovation and commercialization.
• Strong understanding of government priorities, policy directions, business planning processes and the relationship between policy development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience conducting policy research, jurisdictional scans and analysis of emerging issues to support evidence-informed recommendations.
• Strong systems thinking, analytical and research skills, with the ability to synthesize information from diverse sources and identify implications for government decision-making.
• Conceptual, strategic and critical thinking skills, including the ability to develop options and advice on complex and sensitive policy issues.
• Demonstrated consultation, engagement and interpersonal skills, with the ability to support productive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong project planning and organizational skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities, support multiple initiatives and meet deadlines in a dynamic environment.
• Highly developed written and verbal communication skills, including preparing briefings, background papers, decision materials, key messages and advice for senior officials.
• Political sensitivity, professional judgment, discretion and tact when working on complex files involving government priorities and stakeholder interests.

Assets:

• Experience with large grant management, including developing grant applications, overseeing grant activities and supporting financial or reporting requirements.
• Experience developing policy tools, frameworks, models or funding approaches related to research commercialization, research talent attraction or innovation priorities.
• Experience representing an organization on cross-ministry committees, working groups or strategic policy tables.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This is (1) one temporary full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is located in Edmonton.

The final candidate for this position will undergo preemployment checks.

Please ensure your resume highlights how your previous work experience is related to the qualifications and requirements for this position.

A cover letter is required. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)  
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.