Policy Advisor and Policy Analyst Talent Pool

Role Responsibilities

You will be collaborating with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, non-profit organizations, and industry experts. Your role will involve conducting extensive research, analyzing data, and providing expert insights to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies. 

You will be responsible for staying up to date with emerging trends, legislative changes, and global developments. Your expertise and strategic thinking will be instrumental in formulating evidence-based policy recommendations, ensuring they align with our values, objectives, and legal frameworks. 

In this position, your exceptional communication skills will be vital, as you will be presenting complex ideas and policy proposals to various audiences, including senior executives, government leaders, and public bodies. You will prepare reports, recommendations, briefing materials and deliver presentations to management and/or external stakeholders for decision-making.

Ideal candidates will be detail-oriented and creative thinkers who thrives in a fast-paced environment. You should possess a strong background in policy analysis, with a track record of influencing policy outcomes through research, stakeholder engagement, and strategic advocacy. A solid understanding of political dynamics, economic principles, and social trends will enable you to navigate the complexities of policy making and contribute to effective solutions.

We have exciting opportunities in the following areas: 

Policy Analyst – Program Services 4 (PS4):
You will take a lead role in carrying out complex policy and program development projects. Projects are typically of a long-term nature with multiple components, and recommendations often include options, risks, and supporting evidence. The position applies extensive theoretical and content knowledge to complete the tasks involved. You would be involved in the planning, review, evaluation, interpretation, and/or implementation of a new policy or program, within the framework of the department’s business plan objectives. You would also provide guidance to project working groups, consult with stakeholders on policy/program changes, and staying abreast of current policy and program related issues and trends. 

Responsibilities: 

• Provides expert, strategic, and sound advice to senior management and staff on policies and/or programs. 
• Performs research techniques for high-profile, strategic policies, and programs. 
• Prepares reports, recommendations, briefing materials, and makes presentations to management and/or external stakeholders for information and/or decisions. 
• Analyzes alternative means of meeting policy objectives, including the review of initiatives of other jurisdictions, and evaluating the various implications of these options. 
• Identifies gaps in program needs and provides analysis on pertinent research areas.  
• Leads divisional and strategic program and/or policy initiatives. 
• Chairs committees or meetings and/or makes presentations on the interests and priorities, as required. 
• Influences outcomes of projects that affect program policy by exercising a high degree of interpersonal skills with stakeholders. 
• Anticipates challenges with policy content and proactively mitigates concerns and advocates program priorities. 
• Independently represents program/policy interests at meetings and working groups.

Role Responsibilities Cont'd

Policy Advisor – Program Services 3  

This position assists in the development and implementation of program and operational policies, including performance measurement and evaluation. The position carries out short-term projects or are responsible for a component of a large project or initiative that may impact the branch or division. 

Responsibilities: 

• Researches, evaluates, and analyses quantitative and qualitative data from a variety of sources, including internal and cross-jurisdictional databases and academic journals. 
• Prepares reports on the development of programs and initiatives. 
• Develops a databank of information that will assist the division and sector with furthering policy/program implications. 
• Develops performance measures that align with specific departmental policies or programs and support the mandate. 
• Assists with the development of action plans based on findings of program reviews and follow up on the implementation of recommendations identified. 
• Provides information to support departmental, inter-departmental, inter-governmental committees, and working groups to ensure the perspectives of the branch and the Ministry are represented and considered in discussions. 
• Facilitates consensus building when there are conflicting objectives or views between various internal and/or external stakeholders. 
• Supports and/or coordinates various aspects of stakeholder consultation to identify strategies and initiatives impacting the Ministry. 
• Complies information for Manager such as key messages, briefing notes, and responses for internal use and media inquiries. 
• Assess content of outgoing correspondence to ensure compliance with applicable legislation and consistency with handling requests. 
• Identifies links to government priorities, programs and services, partner initiatives, and commitments. 

Qualifications

Program Services 4 Market Adjustment (024PSAMA): 

University graduation in Business, Public Administration, Arts or other related field plus four years related experience or equivalent as described below.

Equivalencies will be considered on the basis of 1 year of education for 1 year of experience.

Required knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Experience to understand and analyze competing interests of stakeholders to develop policy program. 
• Strong experience in research methodologies, data analysis, and preparing recommendations. 
• Strong experience of the theory and practice of policy/program/project development, analysis, implementation, and evaluation techniques to assess the new/changed policies. 
• Strong experience in planning, leading and managing projects. 
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written)  
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Knowledge of Government structures and procedures and decision-making process and practices 
• Working experience in leading project management and planning 
• Experience understanding and analyzing competing interests of stakeholders to develop policy program 
• Leading a team or supervisory experience 
   

Program Services 3 Market Adjustment (023PSAMA): 

University graduation in Business, Public Administration, Arts or other related field plus two years related experience or equivalent as described below.

Equivalencies will be considered on the basis of 1 year of education for 1 year of experience.
 

Required knowledge, skills and abilities:

• Strong experience of the theory and practice of policy/program/project development, analysis, implementation, and evaluation techniques to assess the new/changed policies. 
• Knowledge of project coordination strategies and planning. 
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written). 
• Experience integrating information obtained from broad and varied sources. 
• Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint. 
• Knowledgeable of the policy development process in the government 
• Working knowledge of issues and implications pertaining to operational program policy 
• Knowledge of research methodologies, data analysis, and preparing recommendations

The following are considered assets for both the positions: 

• Knowledge of Government structures and procedures. 
• Knowledgeable of the policy development process in the government.  
• Understanding of the Government of Alberta decision-making process and practices. 
• Working knowledge of the interrelationships between the province and federal government. 
• Working knowledge of issues and implications pertaining to operational program policy. 
• Strong knowledge of related policies, programs, acts, legislations, and regulations specific to their work assignment. 

Qualifications Cont'd

Candidates who are successful in the selection process will be placed in a Talent Pool. This competition will be used to create an eligibility list of qualified candidates to fill upcoming opportunities as vacancies arise in the location you apply to. Should you qualify, your resume is added to a qualified list for consideration for other opportunities at the same or lower classification levels.

As a Qualified Candidate:
•    You were successful in the interview (pending reference and other pre-employment checks) but were not selected.
•    You may be considered for future opportunities in the same or a lower classification for a period of six (6) months.
•    If you are contacted regarding other opportunities, it will be your decision whether to pursue these.
•    If you choose to pursue these opportunities, the recruitment process may involve further assessments specific to the position.

To be considered, your application MUST be accompanied with a cover letter that outlines how your education and experience make you suitable for the role. Your cover letter and resume will be used as a screening tool to assess your written communication skills. An additional written assignment may be used as part of the interview process. 

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. 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviours 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. 

The position operates with independence and demonstrates judgement in evaluating the political sensitivity and potential controversy associated with correspondence. It ensures the department position and program area perspectives are reflected in responses and other written material. It anticipates and identifies issues of an urgent, sensitive, or contentious nature requiring the attention of the Manager.

Competencies for this position include: 

• Agility: The successful candidate will have the ability to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing situations and issues, while making well thought-out recommendations. 
• Build Collaborative Environments: You anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across interrelated areas and will factor this into planning. 
• Creative Problem Solving: Breaks down problems, undertakes appropriate research and investigation and draws on experiences to solve problems. For example, suggesting improvements to current processes and identifying efficiencies. 
• Drive for Results: Identifies ways to exceed performance expectations. Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities in order to deliver outcomes consistent with Government direction, departmental objectives and public expectations. 
• Systems Thinking: You anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across interrelated areas and will factor this into planning. 

Notes

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week.

 The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal Record Check and/or Academic).

A written assessment will used as part of the screening/selection process.

A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications outlined in this job ad is required.

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. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).

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