---

---

Location

Edmonton, AB | Canada

---

Job description

Job Information
Job Title: Policy and Program Advisor
Job Requisition ID: 52881
Ministry: Children and Family Services
Location: Edmonton and Calgary
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: March 25, 2024
Classification: Program Services 3 Market Adjustment
Salary: ​$2,626.89 to 3,448.73 bi-weekly ($68,561– 90,011 /year)

The Government of Alberta is committed to a diverse and inclusive public service that reflects the population we serve to best meet the needs of Albertans. Consider joining a team where diversity, inclusion and innovation are valued and supported. For more information on diversity and inclusion, please visit:

The Ministry of Children’s Services works to foster a society in which families are safe and resilient, individuals have sustainable employment, vulnerable Albertans have the supports they require, and no one is left behind. Children’s Services mission is to assist Albertans in creating the conditions for safe and supportive homes, communities, and workplaces so they have opportunities to realize their full potential. Its core business is to work collaboratively with community partners to deliver citizen-centered programs and services that improve quality of life for Albertans. The ministry deals with topics that vary widely and addresses many of the issues people face across their life span.

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, the Program and Policy Advisor is a key member of a team that works collaboratively with Ministry staff, cross-ministry partners, inter- and cross-divisional ministry staff, and external stakeholders to achieve government and Ministry business plan goals as it relates to prevention and early intervention. All work is guided by the Alberta Government core values of respect, integrity, accountability and excellence.

The incumbent acts as a support to senior and executive leaders for prevention and early intervention -- including youth suicide prevention, youth emergency shelters, addiction, mental health, mentoring -- policies, strategies, grants and programs. The Advisor provides leadership on policy, research and evidence-informed practices/strategies and project management support on related cross-ministry plans and strategies that build capacity to meet the needs of children and youth at local, regional and provincial levels. Examples of plans and strategies for which this position supports the implementation of include: Building Strength, Inspiring Hope: Alberta's Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy and the Well-being and Resiliency Framework.).

The Advisor will ensure that senior branch staff are informed with respect to work underway through both written and verbal communication including email, briefing notes, option papers, and project management reporting. The advisor will also be responsible for the execution of environmental scans and literature/jurisdictional reviews as required, managing a variety of sub projects, and provides evidence-based recommendations for management decisions.

The position will be required to think creatively about the complex problems related to prevention and early intervention program delivery, grant management and policy development in Alberta, including research in best practices concerning prevention for youth suicide, youth shelters, and mentorship. This work is very broad in scope with partnering ministries involved and the position will likely engage government ministries, community partners, the federal government, local governments and community to develop and implement plans.

The incumbent will support grant and policy implementation to address challenges collectively, proactively and strategically across government and at the local community level.

The Advisor will lead the development of reporting expectations for grants, analyze available research and data to ensure that Alberta's approach remains up to date, and appropriate for the current context. This will required continued knowledge of current prevention and early intervention initiatives at the across the province.

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.

The link below will assist you with understanding competencies:

Critical Competencies:

• Systems Thinking – Provides advice and decisions that have broad based implications for division and program priorities
• Creative Problem Solving – Helps manage projects with multiple stakeholders simultaneously. Uses planning skills, analytical and creative thinking skills to arrive at innovative solutions.
• Agility – Demonstrated ability to manage and adapt to change. Ability to manage human, financial and physical resources within an operating environment.
• Develop Networks – Ability to foster a climate of cooperation amongst, and build solid relationships with public agencies, government, committees and other partners.
• Develop self and Others – Proven ability to foster partnerships and to achieve organizational goals within an organization.
• Build Collaborative Environments – Strong track record in establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

A university degree in Political Science, Social Work, Human services or in a related field and a minimum of 2 years’ related experience. Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one-for-one basis

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

Assets

• 1 year of progressively responsible experience in program policy
• Knowledge of the political environment within which the Ministry operates and decision-making processes of the Government of Alberta.
• Understanding of prevention and early intervention programming in Alberta as well as key documents: Well-being and Resiliency Framework, the mayo Resource, and the Well-being and Resiliency Evaluation Framework, Building Strength, Inspiring Hope: Alberta's Youth Suicide Prevention Strategy
• Knowledge of the Family Resource Network Program as well as community agencies and organizations that are engaged in suicide prevention, mentorship, addiction and mental health, or related activities across the province
• Grant and contract management knowledge and skills
• Understanding of intergenerational trauma, the impacts of colonization, issues facing indigenous youth and families in Alberta

Notes

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

Candidates are encouraged to submit a resumes and cover letters 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) to assist in assessing written communication skills and attention to detail.

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.

For more information on the Government of Alberta hiring process, view this link:

Links and information on what the GOA have to offer to prospective employees:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service -
• Pension plans: Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) –
• Leadership and mentorship programs
• Professional learning and development
• 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 agreements.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool –

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.

Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please visit for more information. Please visit Recruitment Principles, for more information.

It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)( or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information (

It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.

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

We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.

If you require any further information on this job posting or a copy of the role profile, please contact Lori Casey at [email protected]

---

Job tags

---

---

Salary