Job Information
Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor
Job Requisition ID: 59685
Ministry: Education
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: September 12, 2024.
Classification: Program Services 4
Salary: $2757.39 to $3604.17 bi-weekly ($71,967- $94,068 / year)
The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/diversity-inclusion-policy.aspx
Alberta Education supports students, parents, teachers and administrators from Early Childhood Service (ECS) through Grade 12. Through safe and caring schools for all students, Alberta’s Government is making life better by investing in education, one of the most important investments we can make in our future. The Ministry has the following responsibilities: develop curriculum and set standards; evaluate curriculum and assess outcomes; teacher development and certification; supports students with diverse learning needs.
For more information on the ministry of Education, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/education.aspx
Role Responsibilities
Reporting to the Manager, Research and Policy, the Senior Policy Advisor has the responsibility to lead the development, issues analysis, consultation, options development, and implementation of education-related polices, legislation, regulations, and ministry initiatives for which the sector is responsible (e.g., inclusive education, medical management for children and students in schools, classroom complexity, supports for students with complex needs including autism, cross-ministry support, sections of the Guide to Education, Funding Manual and website content, etc.)
- Provide policy advice, issue analysis, strategic research, and options development within the branch and sector.
- Lead policy review of education-related policies, legislation, regulations, standards, programs, and initiatives.
- Lead and participate in cross-ministry working groups to support policy and program development for students with diverse learning needs.
- Interfaces with program areas to ensure education-related issues are appropriately addressed in new or amended policies, legislation, regulations, and/or other policy instruments.
- Identify data and information needs to support evidence-based and timely policy and program/initiative development, implementation, and evaluation.
- Design and implement stakeholder and public engagement strategies, to support policy development.
- Monitor project processes, outputs and timelines using a variety of project management tools. Make adjustments as necessary after consultation and approvals.
- Prepare requests for proposals and manage the process of evaluating and hiring contractors after consultation and approvals. Manage external contractors including assigning and monitoring the workload and quality and the financial management of contracts.
- Coordinate with Communications in the development of materials and implementation of a communication strategy to provide stakeholders and interested parties with information regarding project development and implementation.
- Lead or support the preparation of high quality and timely responses to Action Requests on policy-related issues by working collaboratively with staff across divisions.
- Develop and coordinate briefings, background papers, and strategies for senior officials on key findings of current policy directions.
- Support the development of integrated policy processes within the ministry and on a cross-ministry basis in order to ensure consistency and strategic alignment with common ministry goals and GoA priority initiatives.
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
- Systems Thinking - Considers the impact of strategies and changes on the work of clients, stakeholders, and team members and support organization vision and goals through strategic planning of tasks and considering relationships between different work approaches and their impact on different programs, divisions and ministries.
- Creative Problem Solving - Facilitates the creation of a work environment for generating and finding newer ideas to solve existing and potential problems.
- Agility - Possesses an ability to create an adaptable environment and overcome barriers through proactive and flexible approach to work.
- Build Collaborative Environments - Leads cross functional collaboration and initiate strategic communication systems to anticipate and address potential conflict and builds and atmosphere of genuine trust and teamwork
Qualifications
University graduation in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience in a related field such as political science, public policy, public administration or Education 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; or1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
- Required: Minimum of three years experience in two or more facets of public policy development and coordination.
Assets
- Knowledge and an understanding of applicable acts and related legislation and regulations, including Education Act, Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act etc.
- Knowledge and experience in drafting various correspondences like memos, briefing notes, ministerial correspondences.
- Political acumen to navigate government structures and understand the implications of decisions on various stakeholders.
- The ability to think strategically and anticipate future developments and trends is crucial for addressing emergent issues.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills are essential for effectively coordinating and conveying complex information.
- Distilling and summarizing large documents into briefing notes, policy papers, and power points.
- Being able to respond to challenges on policy and acts and regulations through the interpretation and summary of existing parameters.
- Interpersonal, consultation, presentation and facilitation skills, including ability to interact effectively with diverse stakeholders, clients, and partners.
- Research and analytical skills.
- Project Management Professional Certification (PMP) is an asset.
- Leadership skills, including ability to coach and mentor.
- Experience working with Alberta post-secondary schools or Alberta Student Aid programs.
- Proficient in automated systems and software tools used to carry out responsibilities (i.e. Microsoft Outlook, Work, Excel, Power Point, ARTS, the Internet and web-based programs).
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 (1) permanent position is located in Edmonton and works 36.25 hours per week, 8:15am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Applicants are advised to provide a cover letter summarizing information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience and relevant examples of required competencies.
The final candidate will be required to undergo a security screening.
What We Offer
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.
How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit https://www.alberta.ca/job-application-resources#before for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles , for more information.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)( https://www.alberta.ca/international-qualifications-assessment.aspx ) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information ( https://canalliance.org/en/default.html ).
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Rashi Vaktaniaat Rashi.Vaktania@gov.ab.ca .