Role Responsibilities

The Senior Policy Advisor, reporting to the Manager of Legislation & Strategic Communication in the Continuing Care Branch, plays a key role in advancing strategic priorities that shape the future of continuing care in Alberta. This position leads and coordinates the development and implementation of continuing care strategies and initiatives, and provides project management expertise to coordinate, monitor, and report on progress involving multiple stakeholders.

If you're passionate about shaping the future of continuing care in Alberta, and you're energized by tackling complex policy challenges in a collaborative team setting, we want to hear from you. In this senior role, you'll apply your expertise to help craft legislation, cabinet reports and policy recommendations while engaging with stakeholders and supporting a dynamic, policy-focused team. This role collaborates with internal and external partners to plan, analyze, and coordinate key continuing care policies and projects, providing strategic advice to support the shift toward a community-based care system.

Responsibilities: 

• As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will lead the full policy development and review cycle for continuing care in Alberta. You will research, analyze, and develop policy proposals, assess risks and outcomes, and recommend evidence-based solutions aligned with government priorities. You’ll prepare materials for senior decision-makers, collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, and support cross-ministry initiatives to advance community-based care policies.
• In this role, you will lead and support multi-phase projects and stakeholder initiatives that guide the evolution of Alberta’s continuing care system. You will conduct policy and legislative analysis, coordinate implementation and evaluation plans, and contribute to communication materials for Cabinet and public release. You’ll manage project planning, identify risks, and provide clear, actionable recommendations to senior officials. Collaboration with Legal Services and key stakeholders will ensure policies are well-informed, practical, and aligned with government priorities.
• As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will lead the development of continuing care legislation, ensuring alignment with government priorities. You will provide expert advice, assess legislative impacts, and develop proposals and briefing materials for senior leaders. Using research and policy analysis, you’ll identify emerging issues, evaluate options, and support informed decision-making. You’ll also coordinate or contribute to research projects that guide legislative and policy development.
• In this role, you will manage issues related to legislative and policy development for continuing care. You will provide clear, relevant analysis on action requests and lead or coordinate responses to complex system-wide issues. Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders is key, requiring a strong understanding of related legislation, policies, and standards. You will represent the program on cross-departmental teams, advise on legislative interpretation, and recommend actions to address emerging policy or legislative issues. You’ll also lead liaison and problem-solving efforts across divisions and partners.

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.

As the Senior Policy Advisor, in addition to your education and experience, you will demonstrate well-honed competencies in the following areas:

• Systems Thinking: Identify emerging issues, challenges, and opportunities, provide options for resolution and develop recommendations to prevent or mitigate legal or political risk associated with consultation initiatives.
• Build Collaborative Environments: Teamwork-oriented to collaborate with ministry staff to plan, implement and assess specific programs to ensure the delivery of an integrated consultation program across the province.
• Drive for Results: Knowing what outcomes are important and maximizing resources to achieve results that are aligned with the goals of the organization, while maintaining accountability to each other and external stakeholders.
• Develop Networks: Proactively develop and maintain effective partnerships with multiple stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding of diverse interests when supporting the engagement of Indigenous communities and the achievement of collaborative outcomes.
• Agility: Anticipate and adapt by focusing on long-term goals, changing the way we approach situations, using new ideas and solutions to achieve results. 

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (Finance, Economics, Public Health, Public Policy, Social Sciences, Health) 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 

Related experience: Extensive experience in completing policy analysis and development in order to successfully manage policy projects which require analysis and the development of implementable recommendations. 

Preference will be given to candidates with directly related experience.

Assets:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to navigate conflict and build consensus.
• Knowledge of the continuing care sector, including health or social care funding models, service delivery, legislation, and regulation.
• Familiarity with policy analysis, government decision-making processes, and public consultation practices.
• In-depth understanding of relevant continuing care legislation, policies, and procedures.
• Proven leadership, problem-solving, and advisory experience in a related field.

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

Hours of work are 8:15 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday to Friday. 
36.25 hours per week (full-time).

This competition will be used to fill a full time position. This is a provincial position. Locations across Alberta will be considered.

Please include a cover letter that clearly outlines your suitability for the role and highlights how your experience aligns with the position's requirements.

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening. A Criminal Record Check will only need to be provided upon request.  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.

Candidates must be eligible to work in Canada.

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.