Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Research, Policy, and Correspondence, this position is responsible for policy and research work, ensuring the division is consistent with business plans and government/departmental philosophy and policies associated with developing, monitoring, implementing and/or continuously improving curriculum and career education policy, programs and curriculum. 

This position is a key resource for strategic information, obtained through research and policy analysis. They will often be required to synthesize information from a variety of sources and consider a variety of perspectives when providing advice on policy development. This position demands a high level of creativity, originality and innovation, independent research, ability to identify implications, define issues, and collaboratively develop appropriate solutions.

1. Takes a lead role, with minimal supervision, in coordinating complex, long-term policy projects.

• Coordinates and advises on strategic initiatives and projects at the broad CCE Division level that are focused on curriculum and career education policy trends and issues.
• Leads collaboration on policy projects, including consensus driven mediation between internal stakeholders from across the division.
• Applies a system thinking approach to provide strategic analysis and advice on how to implement mandate priorities.
• Reviews evaluates, and advises on education and career policy, within the framework of the department's business plan objectives. 
• Conducts research and analysis to inform policy planning and identify strategic upcoming policy issues and pressure points.

2. Applies a policy lens to all divisional correspondence, briefings, and presentations to senior leadership.

• Provides advice on policy framing, consistency, and opportunities for coordination and/or collaboration.
• Researches and synthesizes knowledge of policy initiatives across the Ministry to ensure policy briefings and recommendations are well aligned, strategically sequenced, and redundancies are avoided.
• Reviews divisional correspondence to ensure education and career policy is accurately and clearly communicated to stakeholders and the public.
• liaise with other government departments and stakeholders to obtain strategic information to help inform policy development and decision-making in the division.

Role Responsibilities Continued

3. Builds capacity across the division for research and policy development.

• Establishes, maintains, and continuously improves standards and processes for division staff on approaches to policy research, briefings, and correspondence. 
• Establishes, maintains, and adjusts as necessary a set of standards and processes for division staff on research methodologies and approaches. These may include how to conduct literature reviews, perform jurisdictional scans, conduct evaluations, or create surveys as well as advise on appropriate methodologies for conducting data analysis.
• Develops professional learning sessions for division staff related to research, policy research, policy timelines, briefing senior officials, and the decision-making/approval process.
• Provides 1-on-1 support to colleagues across the division to increase their capacity to successfully research, time, and communicate policy initiatives and projects.
• Provides advice/direction and follow-up with division staff regarding research and policy projects to ensure thorough analysis of issues and the usage of appropriate research methodologies. 

4. Management relies on this position's accuracy and skills to achieve the goals of the unit, branch, and division.

• Advises manager on strategic research and policy needs and develops and enacts plans to analyze, evaluate, summarize and provide key conclusions, recommendations, strategic advice, and alternate courses of action on research and policy related materials in education.
• Collaborates/leads in the development of research reports, position papers, and other documents focused on curriculum and career education issues, policies, and programs that may affect the division.
• Applies advanced research knowledge and techniques to support the ongoing development of data collection tools, complete ongoing data analysis, and report findings and recommendations on division-wide initiatives to help inform curriculum and career education programs and policies.
• Supports the oversight of the centralized research repository, ensuring that it is up-to-date and accessible.
   

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.

System thinking- Must possess the ability to approach policy and research tasks from a broader viewpoint and scope, articulate complex issues in regard to their broad social and political implications, and present information on a variety of formats to a variety of audiences.

Agility- Uses knowledge of research and policy to provide recommendations in a timely manner, identify and explain potential risks, and maintain focus as circumstances change.

Creative Problem Solving – sees a positive approach, analytical and problem-solving skills, and empowers others to collaboratively identify solutions. 

Build Collaborative Environments - Must possess the ability to approach policy and research tasks from a broader viewpoint and scope, articulate complex issues in regard to their broad social and political implications, and present information on a variety of formats to a variety of audiences.

Qualifications

University graduation in 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

Knowledge and/or experience of the following are requirements for this position:

• Excellent English verbal and writing skills. (A written test might be administered.) 
• Experience analyzing and synthesizing qualitative data.
• Excellent communication skills, orally and in writing 

Knowledge and/or experience of the following are considered assets for this position: 

• A master’s degree with research and/or policy focus
• Ability to communicate in French, especially to analyze data that is in French.
• Strong understanding of department policies, regulations, business plan, procedures, and operational requirements 
• Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills 
• Ability to multi-task and coordinate and prioritize a number of projects and related activities. 
• Familiarity with data analysis software systems (NVivo, etc.). 

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 must submit a cover letter and resume 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) details.

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 will be required 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 have 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.