Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

We are looking for a Policy Advisor to help shape Alberta’s home and community care system, driving policies and programs that enhance quality, access, and sustainability. You will collaborate with diverse stakeholders and contribute to innovative solutions that make a real difference for Albertans.

Reporting to the Manager of Systems Improvement in the Home and Community Care Unit, as a Policy Advisor you will be responsible for supporting the development, implementation and evaluation of program and policy changes that improve quality of care and quality of life for home and community care clients, including palliative care clients. 

In this role, you will undertake collaborative work to support the planning and implementation of initiatives in home and community care. You will conduct research and analysis to provide sound policy advice, lead projects, engage stakeholders and coordinate grants with community partners. You will also support performance monitoring, integrate operational perspectives into policy, and respond to inquiries to help advance Alberta’s continuing care system.

Your responsibilities in this role will include, but will not be limited to:
Project Management

• Develop work plans and coordinate the tracking and implementation of action items to ensure the timely achievement of progress.
• Coordinate and prepare meeting materials, maintain governance and project management documents, and manage/prioritize issues that come before committees and working groups.
  
  

Policy Analysis and Advice

• Conduct research and analysis on continuing care issues, identify trends and impacts, and develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
• Prepare briefing materials, options papers, and advice for senior management and the Minister, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
  
  

Stakeholder Engagement

• Engage with stakeholders, the public, and internal corporate services to inform initiatives, gather advice, and increase awareness of the continuing care system, priority initiatives and departmental grant processes.
  
  

Communication and Issues Management

• Prepare clear written and oral briefings, responses, and communication materials for internal and external audiences.
  
  

Performance Measurement

• Proactively monitor continuing care system outcomes and program effectiveness.
• Identify issues, strengths, and opportunities.

Role Continue

To be successful in this role, you will need to demonstrate:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills (e.g. articulate, clear, concise, grammatically correct).
• Excellent time management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple requests, handle tight deadlines, multi-task and re-prioritize workload.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to creatively problem solve.
• Strong project management skills.
• Well-developed interpersonal and collaboration skills. The ability to engage positively and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
• Basic knowledge of, and ability to, effectively search and monitor, health/social literature databases and other policy and practice knowledge sources.
• Solid performance monitoring/measurement, interpretation and translation skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint and Excel.
• Strong ability to adapt quickly to changing input, anticipate challenges and impacts, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ability to think creatively with an open mind, develop options that address complex issues, engage stakeholders, and align outcomes with organizational direction.
• Ability to take a strategic, long-term and holistic view of objectives, anticipate impacts, consider stakeholder perspectives, and develop solutions to complex policy issues.
  
  

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 - Must be able to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience, and work effectively in changing environments.
  
  
• Drive for Results - Sets goals and prioritizes work to accomplish them. Follows through on duties and tasks and reports on progress. 
  
  
• Systems Thinking - Understands how work contributes to the achievement of departmental goals. Anticipates changes in own area based on activities in other areas.

Qualifications

Requirements
University graduation (4 years) in a related field such as Public Policy, Health Administration, Health Studies, Health Economics, Social Work, Social Sciences, Project Management, etc. plus two (2) years of progressively responsible related experience such as policy and program development, continuing care, social care, etc.; or equivalent 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.
  
  

A cover letter is required along with your application. In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:

• Why you are interested in the position and how it fits into your career plans, and 
• How your qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
  
  

Cover letters may be used to assess your written communication skills and attention to detail, and to determine which candidates will move to the next stage of the recruitment process. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Assets

• Experience with continuing care and/or health program delivery
• Experience with government systems, policy cycle and policy approval processes
• Experience with grant management
• Experience with stakeholder management 
• Project management experience or certification 
  
  

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

Hours of work: Monday - Friday, 8:15 am - 4:30 pm (36.25/week)

Positions Currently available: One (1) temporary position is available, up to Dec 31, 2027. 
This competition might be used to fill other similar vacancies in the future as well.

Location: This opportunity can be located at ATB Place North Tower, 10025 Jasper Ave, Edmonton, OR Alberta Government Services Building, 710 4 Ave SW, Calgary. 

Candidates may be required to complete a written assessment to further evaluate their skills, knowledge, and experience related to the role.

Final candidates will be asked to undergo a security screening.

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.
• 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.