Program Policy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

Would you like to work in an environment that offers interesting projects and work life balance? Are you looking for an organization that will value your policy experience and allow you to play a role in ensuring housing programs meet the needs of vulnerable Albertans while influencing the direction of housing policy in Alberta?  There’s a place for you in the Housing Division!  

The Policy, Planning, and Analytics Branch in the Housing Division of Seniors, Community and Social Services works collaboratively with internal and external policy development teams and stakeholders to support the integrated provision of housing services for Albertans. This challenging opportunity will allow you to demonstrate your strong policy analysis and development skills along with enhancing your solid project management abilities.

Reporting to the Manager of Housing Policy, the Program Policy Advisor is responsible for supporting the Housing Program Policy Unit’s program policy and legislative functions, special projects and initiatives. This position will provide leadership and expertise to support the development and implementation of housing initiatives, new programs, policy and legislative projects ensuring alignment with the Housing Division's mandate to enhance the continuum of stable, sustained lower-cost housing available to Albertans. The incumbent in this position will exercise independent judgment, set priorities, lead projects and make decisions in a supportive working environment.

As the successful candidate, you will have excellent research and writing skills and the ability to understand government priorities, identify issues and develop appropriate solutions. Creativity, flexibility, and your demonstrated ability to develop and maintain positive relationships with a variety of diverse internal and external stakeholders will be important success factors for this position. You will also need to possess strong analytical, project management, and problem-solving skills. Success in this position will be enhanced by knowledge of the social and affordable housing sector and relevant legislation governing housing in Alberta.

To be successful in the Program Policy Advisor position, you will demonstrate high proficiency in the following competencies: Systems Thinking, Agility, Creative Problem Solving, Drive for Results, and Developing Networks. Your ability to organize and manage a multitude of projects simultaneously will be key to achieving the quality of work and results for our stakeholders.

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.

You will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioural competencies:

• Agility
• Drive for Results
• Develop Networks
• Systems Thinking
• Creative Problem Solving

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards:

• University graduation in a related field, such as Public Policy, Social Sciences, and Public Administration. 
• Minimum of four (4) years progressively responsible related experience with complex project management, research methods, and the policy cycle. 

Equivalencies: 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. 

Assets:

• Experience managing full cycle legislative projects
• Experience with stakeholder engagement 
• Experience with housing programs and legislation, regulations, and policies
• Experience developing briefing notes, reports, and presentations for senior leadership
• Experience in the social services sector

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: 36.25 hours per week, Monday – Friday

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.

Your cover letter and resume will be used as a screening tool to assess your written communication. An additional written assignment may be used as part of the screening process.

Final candidates will be required 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 have 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
• Leadership and mentorship programs