Policy and Strategy Advisor

Role Responsibilities

The Ministry of Immigration and Multiculturalism has an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as Policy and Strategic Advisor!

Reporting directly to the Director, Executive Operations, this position will provide strategic advice, policy, research and operational support of ministry-wide activities associated with key functions of the Deputy Minister's Office (DMO). This position will assist the DMO in ensuring strategies, plans, decisions and policy initiatives are coordinated and consistent with the strategic direction and goals of the department and Government of Alberta (GoA).

Project and Policy Management

• Provide support and coordination over projects as assigned by the DMO, including preliminary research and analysis.
• Prepare research, background information, presentation material and speaking notes for the DM as needed.
• Work with other GoA ministries and staff to coordinate projects with a lens for collaboration and unification of material.
• Support planning and logistics associated with DMO events and necessary collaboration with the MO, as well as other GoA stakeholder department representatives.
• Represent the DMO, support planning and development of Minister-led missions, meetings, and events, where necessary.

Collaborate and support staff within the ministry to identify, prioritize, and track initiatives and ensure the department meets timelines and protocols for bringing legislation, regulations, and associated materials to government decision-making bodies. This includes drafting the following projects:

• Collaborating with ADMO staff on requests for edits from DMO to briefing notes and correspondence.
• Implement and regularly evaluate priority tracking initiatives through the administration of necessary web applications (including ARTS) and the Secure Document SharePoint site.
• Update, track and evaluate initiatives to ensure alignment with ministry-wide business plans.
• Analyze and prepare qualitative and quantitative reporting based on priority tracking initiatives.
• Provide oversight for deliverables relating to the departments business plan, operational plans, as well as Executive Team's strategic vision on behalf of the DMO, including sharing of information to departmental staff.
• Provide review of documents for the DM to ensure alignment with ministry and government priorities, right level of quality, and that they do not provide any risk to government.

Internal Engagement Support

• Collaborate with staff in all divisions to ensure workflow processes are effective and efficient.
• Participate in formal DMO/ADMO roundtable discussions and support shared problem-solving actions and solutions.

Issues and Relationship Management

• Build and maintain effective relationships and communication with the DMO, ADMOs, Executive Team and staff as key internal stakeholders to maintain strategic and operational awareness and identify priorities as they arise and support in the resolution of any issues or concerns.
• Manage the process for briefings and special projects.
• Escalate and brief on emerging and critical issues to ensure the Director, Executive Operations and DM have appropriate input and timely briefings to make a decision.

DMO Initiatives and Activities

• Facilitate and expedite the process for policy approval.
• Review, as needed, ARs and briefing notes for political sensitivity, department messaging, ministry position, and consistency across divisions.

Other

• Coordinate issues management responses between the MO, DMO, and appropriate ADMOs to ensure appropriate and timely resolution.
• As necessary, cover off for the Senior Manager, Coordination and Planning or other positions in the DMO (i.e. Manager of Ministerial Correspondence Unit). Other related duties as assigned.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans.

• Systems Thinking – Takes a long-term view towards organization’s objectives and how to achieve them.
• Creative Problem Solving - Engages the community and resources at hand to address issues.
• Drive for Results - Works to exceed goals and partner with others to achieve objectives.
• Agility - Works in a changing environment and takes initiative to change.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• University graduation preferably in Arts, Public Administration or 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.

Equivalency:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

The following knowledge or experiences are considered as assets:

• Knowledge of government policy, legislation, and regulatory framework.
• In-depth knowledge of government structure, operations, decision-making processes.
• Strategic planning, analytic, conceptual and project management skills.
• Excellent research, critical thinking and policy analysis skills.
• Ability to exercise independent thinking and decision-making.
• Negotiation, consensus building, and conflict management skills.
• Collaborate strategically with a wide variety of stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Excellent organizational and multitasking skills.
• Flexibility to accommodate changing priorities.

Notes

This is a permanent, full-time position, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

This position is located in Edmonton, Alberta.

In your resume, please include dates associated with all education and work experience.

The final candidate may undergo pre-employment checks (security screening and academic verification) and reference checks.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements.