Role Responsibilities

Help shape the future of student mental health and social supports across Alberta’s post secondary system!!

The Senior Analyst, Strategic Projects and Analysis provides strategic and operational expertise to support the development, coordination, and continuous improvement of student mental health and social supports across Alberta’s post secondary system. The role focuses on advancing effective frameworks, policies, and grant programs that enhance student well being, accessibility, and affordability, while ensuring alignment with ministry priorities, government mandates, and accountability requirements. The position works closely with internal partners, post secondary institutions, students, and cross government stakeholders to deliver coordinated, evidence based solutions that respond to emerging issues and sector needs.

1.    Strategic Policy and Program Development

• Contribute to the development and implementation of a comprehensive student supports framework, including mental health, social supports, accessibility, and related initiatives.
• Identify gaps, emerging trends, and system wide issues affecting student supports and recommend strategic and operational responses.
• Support policy development through research, analysis, evaluation, and jurisdictional scanning.
  •    Develop briefings, presentations, and support materials for senior leadership, aligned with ministry and government priorities.

2.    Grant Management and Program Oversight

• Lead administration of student support–related grant programs (e.g., post secondary student mental health grants), including guideline development, application review, reporting, compliance, and issue management.
• Analyze grant data and reports to assess outcomes, accountability, and opportunities for program improvement.
• Provide consultative support to post secondary institutions and manage stakeholder issues with system wide implications.
• Identify and implement process improvements, tools, and resources to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in grant administration.

3.    Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Build and maintain strong relationships with post secondary institutions, students, and government partners.
• Represent the ministry on departmental and cross ministry committees related to student mental health and social supports.
• Participate in communities of practice and working groups to support coordinated approaches and shared learning.
• Support capacity building initiatives, including information sessions and guidance for grant recipients.

4.    Strategic Advice and Operational Support

• Provide strategic and operational advice to support ministry planning, decision making, and reporting related to student supports.
• Balance stakeholder interests with legislative, fiscal, and policy requirements, while supporting red tape reduction.
• Support the Manager and branch leadership by preparing briefing materials, correspondence, and action responses for senior officials.
• Contribute to branch operations through subject matter expertise, coordination, and collaborative problem solving.

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.

• Systems Thinking – Applies a long term, system wide perspective to identify trends, assess impacts, and develop strategic recommendations that align with ministry and government priorities.
• Develop Networks – Builds and maintains effective relationships with post secondary institutions, students, and cross government partners to support collaboration and informed decision making.
• Creative Problem Solving – Analyzes complex issues, synthesizes information from multiple sources, and develops practical, evidence based solutions in a dynamic policy environment.
• Drive for results  – Works across teams, branches, and partners to foster open communication, reduce barriers, and advance shared objectives.
• Build collaborative Environments – Pursues continuous learning and shares knowledge; mentors team members to strengthen policy capacity.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (Political Science, Public Policy or Administration, Sociology, or another social science discipline, plus a minimum of four (4) years of related experience in a research, policy, program, or analytical environment.

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.

Preference will be given to candidates with the following assets:

• Knowledge of the Alberta post secondary education system, including student services and institutional operations. 
• Experience supporting student mental health, social supports, accessibility, or well being initiatives. 
• Demonstrated experience with grant program administration, including applications, reporting, compliance, and issue management. 
• Ability to prepare briefing materials, decision documents, presentations, and correspondence for senior leadership. 
• Experience working in or with government, including familiarity with policy development and approval processes. 
• Strong analytical, research, and evaluation skills, including trend analysis and jurisdictional scanning. 
• Proven ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders, including post secondary institutions and cross government partners. 
• Experience managing complex files with competing priorities and timelines.

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 is a full-time permanent position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday based out of Edmonton. 

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.

Cover letters are mandatory. Applications submitted without a cover letter will not be screened.

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

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

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate.

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.
•    Management Employees Pension Plan (MEPP) - https://www.mepp.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.
•    Leadership and mentorship programs.