Role Responsibilities

These positions are in the Systems Planning and Program Integrity (SPPI) unit of Strategic Projects and Program Transformation (SPPT) Branch,and will work collaboratively with other team members in the Preventive Community Services (PCS) Division to support the strategic policies, frameworks and processes that drive evidence-based decisions for supporting vulnerable Albertans.

These senior analysts are responsible for a range of functions including leading complex projects, conducting research and analysis, writing strategic reports and briefing notes, and creating streamlined and effective processes.

1) Additional key responsibilities for these positions on the Program Integrity team:

a) Senior Project and Process Advisor: 
•    Project Management: use project management skills to support key elements of the evaluation process including project scope, schedule, resources, etc.  
•    Process Mapping: work with program owners to develop a comprehensive process map of program activities.  
•    Tool Development: working with evaluation analysts, develop a suite of standard tools to be used in the evaluation process that can be refined for the specific needs of an evaluation project.    
•    Facilitation: Plan and lead engaging meetings, workshops, and consultations that foster collaboration, surface insights, and drive alignment across stakeholders. 
•    Learning and Capacity Building: develop learning materials to support division understanding of the evaluation process to create a culture of continuous improvement. 
•    Change Management: Support program owners in implementing approved recommendations by developing change management strategies, enabling tool adoption, and providing coaching to facilitate successful transitions.

b) Senior Evaluation Analyst:
•    Process Review: analyze business processes and procedures. 
•    Collaborative Evaluation: work with program owners and subject matter experts to determine if services are achieving intended outcomes and aligned with strategic priorities. Work with stakeholders to develop logic models and design evaluation frameworks. 
•    Research: Conduct in-depth qualitative and quantitative research on programs, best practices, legislation, and emerging issues.   
•    Analysis:  Integrate findings from process reviews, collaborative evaluations, and research to identify trends, assess program effectiveness, and identify gaps in services.     
•    Recommendations: Using analysis, draft recommendations to improve efficacy and efficiency of programs for consideration by program leadership.

2)    Additional key responsibilities for these positions on the System Planning and Implementation:

a) Senior Social Policy Analyst 
•    Planning:  Support the design and implementation of provincial-scale planning frameworks and management plans for preventative social programs.
•    Compliance:  Develop and maintain internal planning tools, templates, and documentation to support internal directives and plans.
•    Stakeholder Engagement: Communicate effectively and coordinate consultations and engagement sessions with internal and external stakeholders. Plan engaging meetings, workshops, and consultations that foster collaboration among stakeholders. Develop reports, background materials, and other communication tools for a variety of users.
•    Continuous Improvement:  Continuously improve planning processes by identifying gaps, testing new approaches, and recommending practical enhancements based on feedback, data, and best practices.

Role Responsbilies

3)  Additional key responsibilities for these positions on the Planning and Reporting team:

a) Senior Policy & Issues Analyst 
•    Issue Resolution: Proactively identify, prioritize, and address emerging and sensitive issues relevant to the SPPT branch and PCS division. Coordinate the preparation of briefings and background materials in partnership with the ADMO, communications teams, and other stakeholders.
•    Coordination:  Consulting across program areas to ensure responses are comprehensive, balanced, and aligned with departmental priorities. Managing and reviewing Action Requests (ARs), briefings, and responses to ADMO and DMO inquiries to ensure alignment with ministry policies and standards. Editing and refining materials (and at times drafting) in collaboration with branch leadership to ensure clarity, accuracy, and political sensitivity.
•    Information Management: Develop and implement internal communication tools to enhance collaboration and information sharing. 
•    Strategic Support:  Prepare background materials, presentations, and speaking notes, often under tight timelines.
•    Relationship Building:  Establishes and maintains effective relationships and communication linkages with the branch leadership team and the ADMO, Ministerial Correspondence Unit, where appropriate, various branch offices and staff, and key stakeholders, clients, and ministry partners.

Please click on this link JR72788 PS4 Senior Policy, Evaluation, Issues, And Project Analysts JD 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.

Position specific competencies:
•    Agility: Sees the need and readily steps in to help others on the team; anticipates change and adapts behaviour; accordingly, open to changes; takes advantage of opportunities to improve program development and implementation processes.
•    Build Collaborative Environments: Creates opportunities for project teams and stakeholder to share information; respects others' point-of-view; encourages or facilitates conflict resolution; recognizes performance of all groups involved.
•    Creative Problem Solving: Helps manage projects with multiple stakeholders simultaneously and can use planning skills, analytical and creative thinking to arrive at innovative solutions. 
•    Develop Networks: Builds relationships by following through on commitments, demonstrating integrity and respect for others; informs key stakeholders of relevant information in a timely manner; seeks and applies the perspectives and needs of colleagues and stakeholders.
•    Drive for Results: Sets and accomplishes goals and priorities; factors in complexity of issues and aligns plans based on government direction; removes barriers to collaboration; provides informed advice.
•    Systems Thinking: Anticipate outcomes and potential impacts across interrelated areas and will factor this into planning.

Qualifications

Minimum requirement standard:

University degree in public administration, social sciences, business administration or a related field, plus four (4) years of related experience addressing social issues is required.

Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:
    1 year of education for 1 year of experience
    1 year of experience for 1 year of education.

The positions generally demand a high level of innovation and agility, as well as the ability to independently analyze complex issues and develop creative and timely responses. The positions make significant use of coordination, communication, consultation, research, analysis as well as presentation, writing, and organizational skills.

The following will be considered Assets:

•    Knowledge of complex social issues impacting vulnerable Albertans.
•    Strong research, analysis, and evaluation skills.
•    Strong communication skills including verbal presentations and writing both comprehensive reports and concise briefings.
•    Experience working on teams, with diverse stakeholders and building partnerships.
•    Ability to analyze complex issues and provide clear recommendations.
•    Experience with project management and applying project management methodologies and tools, as well as process mapping.
•    Understanding and experience with the GoA policy cycle and business planning cycle

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: 36.25 hours per week, Monday – Friday

This posting will be used to fill various positions.

Candidates with less qualifications may be considered and remunerated at a lower classification.

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part time or full time.

As a part of the recruitment process, candidates may be required to complete a written assessment as part of their application. A cover letter outlining how your education and experience relates to the qualifications and the APS Competencies outlined in this job ad is required. Applications without a cover letter or written assessment will not be considered.

Please ensure your resume and cover letter highlights how your previous work experience is related to the qualifications and requirements for this position. Resumes should clearly state the employment dates on your resume with the month and the year. This will be used to evaluate written communication and attention to detail required by this position.

Final candidates may be required to undergo a security screening.

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.