Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, the Senior Policy Advisor provides neutral and unbiased analysis and strategic advice on priority initiatives, including emerging issues that are key to achieving the goals and vision of Acute care division (ACD). The position will provide project management and research and operational support to all ongoing strategic initiatives and projects across the division. The Senior Policy Analyst will drive strategic initiatives forward by assessing issues, developing potential solutions and translating solutions to actionable policies and monitor performance.

This position will be responsible for the following duties:

• Support project management activities, including planning, critical path/schedule management, reporting and monitoring & controlling.
• Conduct research, data analysis, jurisdictional scans, consultation and other applicable methodologies to provide expert advice, support and/or project leadership for complex acute care priority initiatives and projects.
• Participate in reviews of policy advice, legislation, regulations and related documents to ensure alignment with Ministry priorities and expectations.
• Lead complex and sensitive initiatives requiring the engagement and support of many different stakeholder groups, internal and external to government.
• Support strategic planning and policy development within the Branch and across the Department.
• Prepare briefings, presentations, speaking notes and agendas to support Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Divisional Leadership Team (DLT) and stakeholders of progress on initiatives to support decision-making.
• Complete briefings, background documents, correspondence, recommendations, and case studies on a variety of ongoing policy initiatives.
• Work with ADMO and branches across ACD to develop and coordinate briefings, background documents, correspondence, recommendations, and case studies for consideration by senior Ministry leaders and officials, ensuring materials are accurate, comprehensive and consistent.
• Support tracking and reporting of key priorities, issues and policy and legislative items.
• Provide coaching and mentoring for branch staff, as needed and/or assigned.
• Drive and manage progress on key strategic initiatives and projects; and support project teams develop meeting materials, conduct research to support initiatives, develop presentations and speaking notes and summarize outputs.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships across system stakeholders to foster a proactive perspective to strategic alignment of policy initiatives.

The is provided for Further details on 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.

• Agility Sees the need and readily steps in to help others on the team; anticipates change and adapts behaviour accordingly, open to changes; takes advantage of opportunities to improve program development and implementation processes.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Creates opportunities for project teams and stakeholder to share information; respects others' point-of-view; encourages or facilitates conflict resolution; recognizes performance of all groups involved.
• Creative Problem Solving: Helps manage projects with multiple stakeholders simultaneously and can use planning skills, analytical and creative thinking to arrive at innovative solutions.
• Develop Networks: Builds relationships by following through on commitments, demonstrating integrity and respect for others; informs key stakeholders of relevant information in a timely manner; seeks and applies the perspectives and needs of colleagues and stakeholders.
• Drive for Results: Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities; factors in complexity of issues and aligns plans based on government direction; removes barriers to collaboration; provides informed advice.
• Systems Thinking: Anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across interrelated areas and will factor this into planning.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• University graduation in a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.
• For your application to be considered, a cover letter explaining your qualifications and suitability for this role must be attached with your application.

Equivalencies: Directly related experience or education considered on the basis of:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The following knowledge or experiences are considered as assets:

• Knowledge of policy development, government structure, operations and decision-making processes
• Experience in project management and grant management
• Experience preparing and providing written reports, analysis, briefing note, letters, research, public speaking, and presentations
• Effective communications skills (written and oral) to collaborate effectively with colleagues and with internal and external stakeholders
• Collaboration skills to successfully work in a cross-functional team environment and leadership skills
• Organization and prioritization skills to balance multiple ongoing projects at one time and ability to meet tight timelines and cope with changing priorities

The below statement must be included in job ad
Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This is a permanent position with regular working hours of 36.25 hours per week, Monday through Friday.

This position is based in Edmonton, Alberta.

A written assessment may be required as part of the recruitment process.

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

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
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.