Policy Coordinator

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, this position supports System Excellence Division policy proposals to ensure they reflect a diversity of perspectives including Government of Alberta (GoA)'s strategic priorities, platform and mandate items, Indigenous perspectives, and other social and economic factors; ensuring that policy proposals are developed using the most up to date templates and processes; and building policy capacity and broader GoA organizational understanding in the sector and division.
 

The policy coordinator is responsible for project management and advancement of policy and program work associated with the review, evaluation and/or implementation of division policy projects. All work is conducted with the goal of ensuring that the interests and priorities of the department are effectively represented in policy proposals moving forward. The incumbent is required to liaise with key internal stakeholders and represents the branch on project teams and committees.
 

RESPONSIBILITIES:
 

1. Responsible for supporting division program/operational policy process to review and revise policies and procedures and support division representation at provincial or national forums. The successful candidate will:
 

• Provide support in carrying out division policy and planning projects, including the review, evaluation, interpretation and/or implementation of division policy projects.
• Participate in departmental committees, cross-functional teams, and working groups, providing branch perspectives and expertise to ensure thoroughness and consistency in policy and program development.
• Remain current and informed as to department issues, pro-actively recommending review and evaluation of policies and programs; and develop related options, strategies, and recommendations, in consultation with department representatives, by providing a research-informed perspective and ensuring a coordinated approach that considers linkages across policies.
• Support day-to-day policy and planning issues, as well as involvement in developing policy on new initiative regarding provincial assessment and teaching and leadership excellence.
• Work with policy team members to support teams in the division to help define project goals and expected outcomes and identifies alternatives for project recommendations.
• Identify and evaluate complex and sensitive issues that impact provincial education stakeholders, other government departments, and interest groups.
• Prepare reports, recommendations, briefing materials, and makes presentations to management for information and/or decisions.
• Assist in enhancing sector and division policy capacity and broaden understanding of GoA and divisional policy approval processes.
• Support division representation at provincial and national committees, forums, seminars, workshops or conferences related to policy to ensure that Alberta's needs are met, such as the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).

Role Responsibilities Continued

2. Responsible for comprehensive research, analysis and consultation services to support the planning and development of divisional policies, including environmental scanning services are performed to support policy development and business planning for the Sector. The successful candidate will:
 

• Research, analyze and evaluate data and information pertaining to education issues obtained from diverse sources, including statistical databases, legislation, policy documents, technical reports and administrative and academic journals.
• Develop recommendations and identify alternate courses of action and associated implications of education programs and policies through interpretation and application of research findings and analysis.
• Collaborate/lead the development of research reports, position papers and other documents relations to education issues, policies and programs.
• Provide research, analysis and communications support.
• Identify significant public sector policy shifts at provincial, national and international levels with potential for impact on Alberta’s education system.
• Analyze economic, social, political and technological issues to identify trends with the potential to impact Ministry policies and programs, summarizing findings for consideration of Ministry decision-makers.
• Research, critically review, and synthesize new and existing literature on education issues and trends obtained from a variety of sources (e.g., academic journals, administrative publication, government studies, books, newspapers, etc.).
   

3. Provides project management expertise to support divisional projects, including coordinating processes to update external facing policy documents to ensure they remain valuable tools for education stakeholders, and they align with Alberta Education's legislation and policy frameworks. The successful candidate will:
 

• Contribute as a team member to provide a policy lens to important resources for educations stakeholders.
• Implement or coordinate the implementation of approved policy and programs as required.
• Participate on policy teams and/or committees within the department to support policy coordination.
• Support other units in the department with respect to the implementation of operational and program policies.
• Provide perspectives and expertise to ensure thoroughness and consistency in policy and program development.
• Collaborate with Sector staff to ensure coordination and integration of activities and promotes collaboration within the Sector and Ministry.

Role Responsibilities Continued

4. The Manager and Director are supported in achieving the mandate and goals of the Sector. The successful candidate will:
 

• Assist in coordinating reporting on projects and initiatives within the sector.
• Provide input and recommendations relating to issues, opportunities and challenges associated with Sector work.
• Develop briefings and other documents in response to requests from the Deputy Minister and Executive Team, as well as in response to news reports and release of major research studies.
• Establish and maintain relationships within the sector and department.
• Remain current and informed as to Ministry issues, proactively recommending review and evaluation of policies and programs develops related strategies and recommendations in consultation with Sector representatives.
• Develop recommendations to support continual improvement of Sector functions and maintain awareness of associated processes, tools and best practices that can be tailored to meet Sector requirements.
   

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.
 

Develop Self and Others - The Policy Coordinator seeks opportunities for continuous learning and development; and participates in fostering a team environment in the unit.
 

Agility - The Policy Coordinator adjusts to rapid and frequent changes in direction. Completes policy products in short timeframes based on changing expectations; and adapts quickly to new priorities.
 

Creative Problem Solving - The Policy Coordinator contributes to innovative policy options and solutions to help address complex policy problems; seeks input from diverse perspectives; explores a variety of information sources to inform creative development of policy alternatives.
 

Systems thinking - The Policy Coordinator conducts environmental scans to monitor and inform others about relevant trends; provides ideas to integrate learnings into policy options and products in alignment with government and departmental objectives.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus 2 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.
 

Knowledge and/or experience of the following are considered assets for this position:
 

• Knowledge of the Education Act and Regulations.
• Knowledge and experience in program and policy development and program evaluation techniques.
• Project planning and management skills including ability to plan, coordinate and execute projects.
• Research methodologies, techniques and procedures, including the application of qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis.
• Strong analytical, research, organizational, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team setting and able to organize and participate in project teams and committees to achieve work objectives.
• Knowledge and ability to understand principles and utilize techniques for providing effective and efficient support services to division operations.
• Aptitude for problem solving and decision-making, as well as mature judgement, tact, and diplomacy.
• Ability to generate new ideas and creative solutions.
• Ability to be a team player and also work independently.
• Computer proficiency, e.g. word processing, spreadsheet, database, and presentations.
   

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 competition is for a position based in Edmonton, offering a work schedule of Monday to Friday, totaling 36.25 hours per week.
 

Candidates must submit a cover letter and resume 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.
 

Resumes must include precise employment dates (month and year) details.
 

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

Final candidates will be required to undergo a security screening.
 

This competition may be used to fill future vacancies across the government of Alberta, at equal or lower classification and salary.
 

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 has 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.