Role Responsibilities

Do you thrive in fast paced and dynamic environments? Are you known for getting things done while supporting corporate alignment? Do you have experience working with First Nations or Metis people in Alberta? The Manager, Indigenous Policy and Services, is a unique leadership opportunity to shape initiatives and programs that improve how the justice system responds to Indigenous justice needs across Alberta. This role provides strategic and operational leadership for a diverse portfolio of programs, including the Indigenous Court worker Program, the Gladue Report Program, and ad hoc ministry grants. The incumbent will work closely with Indigenous organizations, justice system partners and other Alberta Public Service leaders and teams. The successful candidate will lead a skilled team, translate complex issues into practical solutions, and help advance services that support meaningful and lasting outcomes.

As the Manager of Indigenous Policy and Services, you will report to the Director while providing supervision and support to a team of four. You will work closely with other members of the Justice Supports Branch, including branch leadership teams from across the division. These stakeholders require ensure expedient, accurate, and high-quality information and analysis about the ministry’s Indigenous justice programming.

This role provides strategic policy and operational leadership for a high-volume portfolio of complex, sensitive and rapidly evolving priorities. Working through the Indigenous Policy and Services (IPS) team, the position directs the development of policy frameworks, governance processes and monitoring systems that support timely information flow, coordinated decision-making and effective implementation of key initiatives. A key priority is strengthening accountability and modernizing the policies, standard operating procedures, and reporting requirements that support multiple grant funding streams.

Your key responsibilities include:

• Work closely with the IPS Director to manage, track, and respond to emerging issues and requests, ensuring responses are developed on time to meet short-timelines and external demands.
• Lead the development, analysis and implementation of policies, programs and strategic initiatives that support improved justice outcomes for Indigenous and Metis peoples and communities.
• Provide expert policy advice to senior leaders on complex, sensitive and emerging issues affecting Indigenous justice services, including risks, options, implementation considerations and recommended approaches.
• Manage a high-volume portfolio of concurrent priorities in a rapidly changing environment, ensuring urgent issues, emerging pressures and longer-term policy work are appropriately assessed, sequenced, and advanced.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with Indigenous communities, organizations, service providers and justice system partners to support respectful engagement and informed policy development.
• Support sensitive negotiations and discussions involving funding, governance, service delivery and intergovernmental or community relationships.

Role Responsibilities Continued

What you’ll bring to the role:

• Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships and navigate sensitive communication effectively.
• An understanding of the role of government and the public service versus the role of advocacy.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills, enabling you to analyze, synthesize, and refine complex information.
• Attention to detail and a commitment to quality, ensuring all material meets high standards.
• Ability to work independently while leading and contributing to a collaborative team environment. A comprehensive understanding that the role is part of a team and that the operating environment is sensitive.
• Adaptability and resilience in managing shifting priorities and high-pressure situations.
  
  

The is provided for further details on this position

APS Competences

Competenciesare 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.

• Agility to anticipate, assess, and readily adapt to changing priorities, manage resilience in times of uncertainty and effectively work in a changing environment.
• Build Collaborative Environments Leads and contributes to the conditions and environments that allow people to work collaboratively and productively to achieve outcomes.
• Creative Problem Solving to be proactive in identifying solutions and focusing on continuous improvement.
• Drive for Results to know what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization while maintaining accountability to each internal and external stakeholders.
• Systems Thinking recognize the broader impact of your work and to be able to understand broader goals.

Qualifications

A related university degree (e.g., Public Policy, Public Administration, Business, Indigenous Studies, Political Science, or Social Sciences, etc.), supplemented by at least five (5) years of related experience in a public service environment and/or working with Indigenous peoples in a policy role.

Equivalencies may be considered: Master’s degree and three (3) years experience.

Required:

• A cover letter detailing how your skills and experience align with the role's responsibilities will be used to assess writing and communication skills. A written assignment may be used in the process to further assess a candidate’s suitability to the position.
• As an appendix to the cover letter, candidates must provide two business related examples of where they have a demonstrated and established connection with Indigenous communities. This will typically be obtained through three-to-five years of experience working or living with First Nations,
• Metis, or Inuit communities, government, or organizations.
• The depth and breadth of the examples will be used to ascertain candidates’ suitability to the position. Candidates who do not complete the appendix/provide two examples will not be considered for further advancement in the recruitment process.
• Knowledge of the operations/workings of public sector environments and/or government departments within the Alberta Public Service.
• Strong organizational, management, and financial acumen skills.
• Experience managing or administering grant funding or contribution programs.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, SharePoint Online, and document and records management systems.
• Experience working collaboratively with multiple diverse stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
  
  

Assets:

• A demonstrated ability to maintain consistent and dependable attendance.
• Post-secondary certification related to contemporary Indigenous issues in Canada.
• Experience developing and implementing Indigenous justice, social policy or public-sector policy initiatives.
  
  

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

Hours of work: 36.25 hours/week

Location: Oxbridge Place Building – 9820 – 106 Street, Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2J6.

Type of position: Permanent

A written assignment may be used in the process to further assess a candidate’s suitability for the position.

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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.