Settlement Program Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Immigration and Multiculturalism has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as Settlement Program Specialist!

Reporting to the Manager of Settlement and Language Programs, the Settlement Program Specialist works in partnership with internal and external stakeholders to ensure program and service delivery meet the needs and emerging issues faced by newcomers.

A key responsibility of this position is the management of relationships and grants with delivery partners to ensure that projects and services provided are consistent with grant terms and conditions within approved funding. The Settlement Program Specialist will develop and maintain the administrative systems and processes required for grant funded program delivery and will establish appropriate linkages in the field to maintain awareness of issues and ensure program delivery is responsive to newcomer needs.

Grant Management

• Manage grant agreements with stakeholders delivering projects and settlement and integration services to ensure that funding utilization meets the intended purpose and is consistent with the terms of the grant.
• Develop assessment and evaluation criteria and procedures, participate in review and assessment of proposals, and make recommendation for approved proposals for funding. 
• Review and analyze grant agreement reports for progress, accuracy and identification of issues. Discuss any variances or problems with the service provider and provide guidance with administrative processes to ensure data integrity.

Program Delivery

• Establish and maintain effective partnerships with internal and external stakeholder groups to create awareness of emerging trends, issues and developments affecting newcomers.
• Participate on internal and external committees with representatives from other provincial and federal government departments and service providers to exchange information, coordinate funding and plan for new initiatives.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Provide support and serves as a resource to funded agencies, other departments and the public on settlement and integration issues to clarify program policies, resolve problems and identify resources.
• Maintain partnerships with funded agencies to assist in meeting department administrative/accounting requirements and ensure program delivery meets program intent.
• Respond to inquiries and prepare briefing materials for leadership.
• Establish and maintain an effective network of linkages and partnerships with other provincial, federal and municipal governments, service providers, other funders and community organizations to create and sustain awareness of emerging trends, issues and developments affecting settlement, language and integration of newcomers.

Please click on the link to view the job description.

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.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:
 

• Systems Thinking – understanding the interrelation between decisions, initiatives and changes in the global, national, provincial and municipal context and their impacts on newcomers and the broader settlement and language sector. Ability to understand the linkages and complexities of cross-government priorities and the ministry’s mandate. 
• Creative Problem Solving - Facilitate the creation of a work environment for generating and finding new ideas to solve existing and potential problems.
• Agility - Ability to thrive in an adaptable environment and overcome barriers through proactive and flexible approaches to work.
• Drive for Results - Design and manage projects to achieve intended outcomes and deliverables within allotted timeframes and budget.
• Build Collaborative Environment - Lead and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Develop Networks - Develop and sustain a network of relationships across the department, with other GOA ministries, and external stakeholders to develop effective communication channels to enhance and maximize the effectiveness of interactions.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• University degree in Business, International Relations, Public Administration, Social Science, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2 years of progressively related experience.
• For your application to be considered, a cover letter explaining your qualifications and suitability for this role must be attached with your application.

Equivalency: 
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of: 

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

The following knowledge or experiences are considered as assets:
 

• Knowledge of newcomers’ settlement and language needs and challenges
• Familiarity with federal and provincial immigration jurisdictional responsibilities, policies and programs.
• Knowledge/experience of grant management processes. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Word, Outlook and Excel (creating and manipulating large data sets).
• Experience conducting research and analysis and using the Action Request Tracking System to respond to information requests.
• Building relationships, negotiating and resolving conflicts when dealing with internal and external stakeholders and the public.
• Project management experience: ability to prioritize be flexible and creative to balance multiple ongoing projects, and meet tight timelines.

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

This is a permanent full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday. 

This position is located in Edmonton, Alberta. 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

As part of the interview, short listed applicants may perform a written assignment.

The final candidate may undergo pre-employment checks (security screening and academic verification) and reference checks. 

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.