About Us

The Office of Addictions and Mental Health offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we are committed to continually improving our mental health care system of supports. To do this, we are recruiting leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

The Senior Strategist with OMHA works closely with intersectoral partners including, but not limited to, intradepartmental, provincial, federal, and territorial colleagues, IWK Health and NSHA, and the private and non-profit sector. In this role, you will lead a team of Senior Policy Analysts responsible for policy development, implementation, and measurement of impact to ensure identified health outcomes are achieved.

The Senior Strategist plays a critical role in facilitating OMHA evidence-informed decision-making and has the opportunity to work directly with provincial, inter-governmental and community stakeholders; and will represent the Office on inter-departmental initiatives. You will directly impact change across the health system, inclusive of health promotion, primary health care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addictions.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Senior Strategist you are responsible for: 

• Providing leadership for a team of senior policy staff responsible for evidence-based analysis informing the development of briefing materials, cabinet submissions, and corporate documents.
• Assisting senior leaders to effectively assess the impact and implications of policy, operational, and funding decisions.
• Monitoring the planning and delivery of mental health services to ensure NSHA/IWK health service plans, vendor contracts, and agreements with community-based organizations are delivered in accordance with relevant legislative and regulatory policy, approved plans, outcome frameworks, and according to contracts, where they exist.
• Providing HR support to a team of senior policy staff including, but not limited to, professional development, performance management, and work planning. Contribute to the effective functioning of the team by collaboratively setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting cultural competence and inclusion, and fostering a healthy, respectful workplace.
• Leading multiple advisory and/or working groups, both within OMHA and across other governments, departments, the health authorities, and community.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate you have a bachelor’s degree in a related field as well as several years of experience in the design and development of policies and programs.

You will demonstrate experience with the following:

• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to build collaborative working relationships.
• Experience supervising staff/team of staff to support a strong well-functioning team environment.
• A strong analytical mind that thinks conceptually and sees the big picture.
• Highly developed communications skills and the ability to use tact and diplomacy to communicate effectively. 
• Progressive position responsibility.
• Demonstrated understanding and respect of cultural differences including a commitment to recognizing diversity both between and within cultural groups.

In addition to the above, you will have strong leadership skills, initiative, and ability to exercise sound judgement under pressure.  You will be well-organized, capable of managing change and competing priorities. Lastly, you will demonstrate the ability to lead the development of a cohesive, well functioning team and, with minimal supervision, be able to ensure the completion of work within multiple, complex portfolios under tight deadlines.

The following will be considered assets:

• Experience within the provincial legislative environment with a proven track record in policy development.
• Knowledge of structure, processes, and key players in Government.
• A mindset focused on quality improvement and data-informed decision-making.
• Familiarity with legislation which falls under the OMHA mandate.
• Knowledge/experience in the field of mental health and addictions.
• Experience dealing with various HR matters.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with anticipated end date of June 15, 2026.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.