Role Responsibilities

The Senior Policy Advisor provides leadership and neutral, unbiased strategic advice on emerging issues and strategic initiatives. The position works across the department and within the division to strengthen the quality and strategic alignment of initiatives with ministry priorities and expectations.

In this role, you will:

• Provide expert advice and support or lead complex priority initiatives that further the vision and goals of the health system.
• Lead complex and sensitive files requiring engagement and support from different stakeholder groups.
• Provide research, project management, coordination and strategic policy advice to subject matter expert teams.
• Develop and review Cabinet and senior-official documents to meet leadership quality expectations and align with ministry objectives.
• Prepare briefings, presentations, speaking notes and agendas that support executive decision-making.
• Facilitate collaborative strategic policy review and development, including workshops, training and policy-development tools.
• Lead or support strategy and engagement sessions with internal and external stakeholders and summarize outputs.
• Coordinate strategic policy and legislative documents through ministerial and government approval pathways.
• Support intergovernmental preparations, negotiations, jurisdictional scans and communication on health issues.
• Build strong working relationships, identify emerging issues, and propose operational efficiencies and improved ways of working.

The Job Description is provided for further details on 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.

• Agility: anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities, maintain resilience in uncertainty, and respond proactively.
• Develop Networks: build and use relationships with internal and external stakeholders to influence thinking and action in alignment with ministry priorities.
• Drive for Results: align work with key outcomes, maximize resources and maintain accountability to achieve results.
• Systems Thinking: consider broader impacts, connections, political context and stakeholder needs when developing sustainable solutions.
• Develop Self and Others: plan and align personal, professional and team goals, leverage strengths and support development.

Qualifications

A university graduation in a related field, including but not limited to Public Policy, Political Science, Public Administration, Social Sciences or Health Sciences, plus at least four years of progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.

Equivalencies

Directly related experience or education considered based on one year of education or one year of education for one year of experience.

Assets and job-specific requirements identified in the job description include:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Strong knowledge of Government of Alberta policy development, government structure, operations and decision-making processes.
• Experience developing or working on complex policy issues and managing multiple complex projects or programs.
• Experience developing and providing strategic advice on government legislation and regulations.
• Experience working with senior management-level employees across government.
• Experience developing policy analysis, options, recommendations and briefing materials for executive-level decision-makers.
• Strong knowledge and experience in project management, multi-stakeholder policy and program development, policy research and Cabinet materials.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including clear writing, listening, public speaking, presentation, diplomacy and professionalism.
• Ability to gather, integrate and interpret complex information from a range of sources and perspectives.
• Ability to lead and influence peers, facilitate problem-solving and decision-making, and use consulting and consensus-building techniques.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining quality and accuracy.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This competition is to fill one temporary position until June 2028.

Hours of Work: Monday to Friday, 36.25 hours per week.

Location: ATB Place, Downtown Edmonton.

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.

Additional requirements

• A cover letter outlining why you are applying to this role and how your experience relates to the qualifications is required.
• The final candidate for this position will undergo appropriate pre-employment checks including academic credential check and references checks.

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 we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP).
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.