Role Responsibilities

As part of the Regional and Northern Economic Development Branch, the Regional Economic Development Policy Unit is responsible for developing policies, strategies, and initiatives focused on supporting and growing Alberta's economic regions. 

This position provides research and policy analysis on policy options related to strategic economic issues and opportunities to inform decision-making by senior leadership and affected stakeholders. This work is critical to inform JET on regional economic development issues, collaboration best practices, related risk factors, economic development opportunities, and ultimately informs strategic decision-making and program/policy development.

The Senior Policy Advisor is responsible for:  
 

• Leading and supporting various research projects with competing priorities.
• Influencing policy development with a wide audience including GOA departments, elected officials, industry, stakeholders, and right-holders. 
• Performing jurisdictional, market, economic, and statistical research, and analysis.
• Providing strategic and policy advice related to strategic economic development, and more broadly to identify opportunities to stimulate business growth, job creation, and increase investment.
• Participating in cross-ministry working groups to support initiatives such as Indigenous Protocol tables, supporting indigenous Governments with their efforts to achieve long-term economic sustainability in the communities they represent.
• Working closely with team members including the Managers and Directors in the branch. 

Contributing to department processes and ensuring an effective flow and exchange of information and advice among affected stakeholders on a cross section of economic and business development public policy issues.
This requires extensive problem solving, systems thinking, decision-making, relationship development and business communication skills. The Senior Policy Advisor may represent the department in interdepartmental work teams and cross ministry teams. Critical to this role is a broad knowledge and understanding of current and emerging economic and public policy issues and their sensitivities, and the ability to conceive innovative solutions that balance competing perspectives and interests of public and private stakeholders. The Senior Policy Advisor’s leadership in this context will help achieve the business plan goals and fostering solutions to support regional economic development and inform economic strategy and program development in Alberta.

Please click on the link to view the job description.
 

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.

In this role, you will contribute to our team by demonstrating the following behavioral competencies:
 

• Creative Problem Solving: Position is expected to independently execute research projects that support policy and strategic foresight efforts, which are multi-faceted and may not have precedents.  Ongoing engagement within the Ministry is essential to provide strategic advice and share policy options.
   
• Build Collaborative Environments: Position seeks inputs from other branches/divisions and the relevant stakeholders to ensure understanding of the required analysis and continuing to communicate with them until the completion of the project.
   
• Agility: Position often works in situations where obstacles encountered might not have a clear path to resolution. Direction can often change quickly, so need to adeptly adapt and re-purpose.
   
• Drive for Results: The incumbent is expected to achieve goals by planning the approach, executing the plan, and collaborating with relevant colleagues and stakeholders to achieve results. Position has responsibility to proactively conduct research and environmental scanning to build awareness of economic trends and issues at the provincial, national, and international level.
   
• Systems Thinking: The incumbent is expected to have a broad perspective, not only in looking at economic development linkages in the sector of focus, but also of the long-term developments impacting Alberta's economy.

Qualifications

University graduation in Business, Economics, Public Policy, Economic Development, or a related field plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; 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; or 
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education

Assets:

• Broad experience preparing and providing options analysis, reports, briefings and presentations. 
• Possess superior project management knowledge and experience.
• Extensive knowledge of economic development concepts, processes, and practices.
• Extensive knowledge of public and not-profit sector programs applicable to economic development and how they apply and can benefit Alberta.
• Detailed knowledge of business, industry, export, and economic drivers, their key issues, and impact on Alberta's economy.
• Well-developed research, analytical, and problem-solving skills to interpret key economic and regional business indicators, and to develop appropriate responses and processes to maximize economic and business growth.
• Have practical knowledge on economic, statistical, and cross-jurisdictional cost benefit analysis. 
• Knowledge of provincial and federal legislation, policies, and programs/supports related to economic and business development. 
• Ability to lead efforts among diverse teams in developing strategies, analyses or policy and program development. 
• Possess a big picture systemic approach to assess impacts and conclusions through research and analysis.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. 
• Critical thinking and analysis. 
• Identify and process large quantities of information, often coming from multiple sources, usually in a rapidly changing environment, and comprehend its implications.

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 competition is for a position based in Edmonton, offering a work schedule of Monday to Friday, totaling 36.25 hours per week.

Candidates are required to submit resume and cover letter that succinctly demonstrate their qualifications against the job requirements, including education, experience, and relevant competencies. 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. 

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) to assist in assessing written communication skills and attention to detail.

The final candidates for this position will be asked to undergo an academic check, references, provide a suitable security screening and may be asked to complete a written exercise and/or assessment.

Final candidates may require to undergo a security screening.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.

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 the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

•    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