Manager, Research Studies

Job Information

Job Title: Manager, Research Studies

Job Requisition ID: 63579

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: October 24, 2024

Classification: Manager Zone 2

Salary: $3241.74 to $4,362.44 bi-weekly ($84,609 - $113859 / 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 .

Ministry of Education

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; support students with diverse learning needs; fund and support school boards; First Nations, Métis and Inuit and Francophone education; and oversees basic education policy and regulations.

For more information on the Ministry of Education, please visit: https://www.alberta.ca/education.aspx .

System Excellence Division

System Excellence is responsible for the areas of teaching and leadership excellence and provincial assessment. This includes certification of all teachers, principals and superintendents in the province; developing and implementing professional practice standards; and conducting practice assurance in relation to the teaching profession. System Excellence division also develops, administers, marks and continually improves Alberta’s provincial assessments, including the Provincial Achievement Tests (PATs), Diploma Exams (DIPS), Student Learning Assessments (SLAs) and Literacy/Numeracy Assessments.

Role Responsibilities

Ministry of Education has an exciting opportunity within the Systems Excellence Division. Reporting to the Director, Research and Policy Branch, the Manager, Research Studies is accountable for the promotion and administration of quality research studies and projects through the effective coordination of human, financial, and technological resources in support of the Research and Policy Branch's mandate to deliver and support Ministry research needs.

The Manager, Research Studies is responsible for project management and to advance research and program work associated with the review, evaluation, and or implementation of research projects.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for ensuring that Alberta Education's involvement in various research studies is planned and managed in alignment with Ministry and GoA direction, priorities, and goals.
• Takes a lead role, with minimal supervision, in carrying out and/or coordinating division research projects. This includes the review, evaluation, interpretation and/or implementation of research projects either led by Research and Policy Branch or conducted by other stakeholders.
• Participate in, and occasionally lead, departmental committees and working groups, providing branch perspectives and expertise to ensure that research standards are upheld.
• Identify and evaluate complex and sensitive research issues that impact provincial education stakeholders, other government departments, and various interest groups.
• Support day-to-day research issues, including communications, data collection, data analysis, and interpretation.
• Prepares reports, recommendations, bringing materials, and makes presentations to management for information and/or decisions.
• Supports Research and Policy Branch and divisional representation at provincial and national committees, forums, seminars, workshops, or conferences related to research to ensure that Alberta's needs are met (e.g.Council of the Ministers of Education, Canada).
• Responsible for ensuring that strategic information, options, advice, and recommendations relating to issues, opportunities, and challenges associated with research projects and education statistics are provided to senior Ministry representatives and officials.
• Provides information and develops briefings as to research in other jurisdictions relating to education data and statistics and their implications for the provincial education system.
• Develops communication strategies, briefings, and speaking points for the Minister, Deputy Minister, and other senior officials to increase understanding and support for pan-Canadian and international research studies and education statistics and indicators by education stakeholders.
• Collaborates with Communications Branch to develop key messages for public press releases relating to education data and indicators and pan-Canadian and international studies.
• Conducts and coordinates environmental and jurisdictional scans to identify new research and emerging issues and to assess implications for Ministry strategic and policy directions.
• Analyzes potential impact of education statistics and international studies activities, including implications for the Ministry, possible reactions, consequences and risks, and potential mitigation strategies.
• Identifies leading practices and remains current on legislation, policies, and issues applicable to the branch.
• Review and provide feedback on pan-Canadian and international education documents prior to release (e.g. Pan-Canadian Education Indicators Program (PCEIP).
  
  

Role Responsibilities Continued

• Responsible for developing collaborative and strategic relationships with Ministry and government representatives, stakeholders, and other jurisdictions and organizations to build support for and promote research initiatives.
• Participates in cross-ministry, government, and external working groups and committees, representing the Research and Policy Branch and Ministry requirements, interests, and perspectives as appropriate.
• Provides advice, guidance, and consultation across the Ministry to support alignment of the work of program areas with the Ministry's research priorities.
• Encourages effective use of data gathered from research projects and from pan-Canadian and international studies.
• Identifies, proposes, and responds to opportunities for cross-government collaborative research and external research partners (e.g. Statistics Canada, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council, PostSecondary institutions).
• Collaborates with other Alberta Government ministries on research and data matters of shared interest.
• Participates in the decision-making process and provides advice or recommendations in responding to requests for research support from the field.
• Responsible for supporting the Executive Director and Director in achieving the mandate and goals of the Sector and provide guidance direct reports.
• Coordinate regular reporting on projects and initiatives within the branch and sector.
• Plan and assist with the effective use of staff resources to support the achievement of branch and department goals.
• Coordinate with the Manager, Policy as necessary to provide assistance in research needs related to policy projects.
• Supervise and mentor direct reports (Senior Research Analyst and Research and Grant Analyst) including ongoing allocation and management of workload and, where needed, recruitment of team members, development of performance agreements and learning plans, and performance management, etc.
• Serve as Acting Director when required.
  
  

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 .

Drive for Results: The position anticipates possible financial or human resource barriers to achieving goals and priorities and provides advice about how to mitigate these (e.g. pursuing contract resource if needed; shifting budget from one area to another). The position uses conflict resolution and diplomacy skills to effectively manage labour/employee relations.

Systems Thinking: The position uses awareness of current economic and political climate to identify trends that could impact the success of division goals (e.g. how the fiscal climate in Alberta will impact the availability of budget for curriculum renewal, and then develops possible options to address reduced funding).

Develop Self and Others: This position leads a team within the branch and is required to demonstrate strong leadership and communication to support staff, ensure expectations are clear, and goals (personal and professional) are met.

Agility: The position uses critical thinking and complex problem solving skills to seek solutions to issues - such as creating non-standard clauses for contracts or grants, depending on the unique deliverables.

Creative Problem Solving: Excellent analytical and decision-making skills.

Build collaborative environments: Strong track record in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders

Qualifications

A Bachelor’s Degree in Education or a realted field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience is required. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis.

Assets

• Knowledge of Education data and statistics methodological issues and emerging trends.
• Knowledge of research priorities of key national and international entities in relation to education research.
• Knowledge of and experience with techniques to research, analyze, and interpret qualitative and quantitative data, including those relating to extracting key information, examining implications, identifying emerging issues and trends, and making informed recommendations.
• Knowledge of the design and management of research projects and development of new methodologies and indicators, including superior ability to identify research limitations and methodological weaknesses.
• Knowledge of the operations and governance applicable to the provincial education system (e.g. demographics, configuration of schools and school jurisdictions, impact of labor market realities on the education system).
• Awareness of emerging technologies and applications for use in research methods, processes and dissemination.
• Strong analytical, research, organizational, interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively independently and in a team setting and able to organize and lead project teams and committees to achieve work objective.
• Aptitude for problem solving and decision-making, as well as mature judgement, tact, and diplomacy.
• Computer proficiency, e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentations.
• Knowledge of data analysis software (e.g. SPSS, R Studio, NVivo, Power BI, etc.).
  
  

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

Location- There is one permanent position available in Edmonton. This position is 36.25 hours per week, 8:15 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

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.

Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. Please note applications without a cover letter will not be considered. It's important for applicants to ensure their resume and cover letter clearly articulate how their past work experiences align with the role's qualifications and needs.

• 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.)
  
  

What We Offer

• Working for the Alberta Public Service - https://www.alberta.ca/advantages- working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx .
• Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP) – https://www.mepp.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 Vaktania at [email protected] .