Job title: Policy Advisor, Governance & Engagement
Company: Government of Alberta
Job description: 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:
Agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs) provide a range of services to our citizens, and it is imperative that they are accountable, transparent, and effective in their roles and mandate for Albertans. Accountability is strengthened through an effective, efficient, and highly functioning Public Agency Secretariat (PAS), Public Service Commission, capable of high-level collaboration, including providing direction and advice to public agencies and departments.
The PAS has a critical role in contributing to public agencies effectively performing at the highest standard for Albertans and establishing a strong public agency delivery system for our province.
The Public Agency Secretariat (PAS), Public Service Commission, establishes standards and requirements, and promotes and monitors the implementation of good public agency governance, recruitment, and appointment practices for agencies, boards and commissions (ABCs). This includes ensuring adherence to legislation and policy e.g. Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act (APAGA); and, best practices established through policy.
Public agencies account for almost half of the government expenditures, and it is imperative that public agencies are accountable, transparent, and effective in their roles and mandate for Albertans.
The role of the PAS in achieving this vision is to build collaborative relationships with departments and public agencies to develop a continuous improvement approach in the areas of governance leading practices, policy, accountability, compensation, and recruitment.
A key function of the PAS, which this position is heavily involved, is to promote and monitor the implementation of good public agency governance as legislated through adherence to the Alberta Public Agencies Governance Act (APAGA) and through best practices set out in the Public Agencies Governance Policy (Policy).
To learn more about Alberta’s public agencies, boards and commissions and the Public Agency Secretariat, visit:
Job Information
Job Title: Policy Advisor, Governance & Engagement
Job Requisition ID: 50910
Ministry: Public Service Commission
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Regular/Temporary: Regular
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: December 4, 2023
Classification: Subsidiary 02B 3625 Program Services 4E
Salary: $2,757.39 to 3,604.17 bi-weekly ($71,967 – $94,068.83/year)
Role Responsibilities
The main areas of responsibility for this position are:
1. Public Agency Governance Policy:
Government-wide implementation and review of policy and legislative frameworks to promote a consistent approach to governance.
Accountability and evaluation: enhance transparency through a coordinated approach for public agency compliance, reporting, accountability, and evaluation activities.
2. Integrated Policy:
Provide ongoing, strategic and day-to-day support and advice to departments on the implementation of the government’s legislative and policy framework for agencies.
Apply a system thinking approach, in particular the identification of impacts, interconnections and/or unintended consequences across policy areas to identify innovative and effective policy approaches/alternatives.
Anticipate stakeholder reactions, and proactively plan to manage issues and build relationships.
Conduct e-scanning and jurisdictional scanning on governance issues and trends.
3. Accountability and Evaluation:
Build collaborative relationships with departments and other stakeholders to ensure alignment with government priorities and promote consistent reporting, effective accountability mechanisms and rigorous evaluation activities.
Lead and coordinate, as appropriate, the process for reviewing agencies every seven years.
Develop and implement processes to ensure compliance with APAGA and the Policy.
Advise department and public agencies on the review and evaluation of governance documents, such as mandate and roles documents, codes of conduct and board member evaluations.
Work collaboratively with departments and provide expert advice on the establishment, review, and dissolution of agencies.
Lead the development and refresh of document templates to support consistent reporting, effective accountability mechanisms and rigorous evaluation activities.
4. General Activities:
Respond in a timely manner to inquiries from public agencies and departments related to governance practices and legislation.
Inform and advise the Director about sensitive issues and associated risks to ensure the success of processes, frameworks and legislation and recommend needed changes.
As project manager, lead the completion of key policy and legislation deliverables, based on a thorough understanding of stakeholder perspectives and the policy environment.
Support and provide cover-off for the Director and branch colleagues as required.
Manage and oversee the Public Agency Database, PAS Inbox, and monthly reporting process by working closely with Branch Policy Analysts.
Ensure that PAS initiatives, policies, programs, and services are developed, implemented, and aligned with broader Government of Alberta (GoA) policies and strategies.
Qualifications
University graduation in a related field (business, social sciences or equivalent) plus four years related experience; or equivalent as described. Project management experience and education is preferred.
A related two-year diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution and six years related experience;
Asset:
Strong understanding of the workings of government, including the decision-making process, agency governance, and the appointment process. This includes knowledge and understanding of the political environment and its implications, and the ability to maintain objectivity.
Notes
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 –
- Pension plans:
- Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) –
- Alberta Public Service Benefit Information –
- 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 –
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:
Systems Thinking: Incumbent requires systems thinking to design and develop processes and systems which address the short-term and long-term needs of the GoA as an employer and create innovative and sustainable solutions that also support the broader talent management framework. At the same time, the position must balance a variety of needs (department specific versus enterprise-wide), assessing implications such as ensuring costs are reasonable and sustainable in the long-term, and consulting and partnering with the Union to achieve success in joint employer-union committees.
Creative Problem Solving: It is critical that the incumbent provide innovative solutions and advice as well as lead and support projects related to the development and maintenance of policy within the APS while keeping informed of best practices and challenging existing processes and procedures for improvement and enhancement.
Drive for Results: Incumbent must take accountability for outcomes and determine the most effective way to achieve desired results.
Agility: Incumbent must take a proactive leadership role to anticipate, assess and readily adapt to changing priorities as well as be able to operate in a dynamic environment. The incumbent must also be able to research and develop recommendations on policies, strategies and frameworks taking advantage of opportunities to readily adapt to changes required for organization success.
Build Collaborative Environments: Incumbent must be a strong communicator, set up processes or structures to facilitate meaningful communication and be able to lead a collaborative team. The incumbent will also lead and/or support training initiatives and encourage exchange of information and ideas.
Develop Networks: Proactively connect and build trust with peers and executives in PSC, ministry clients, jurisdictional contacts and other experts in their field. Incumbent must be able to collaborate with all levels of government.
Develop Self and Others: As the technical expert in their field, it is critical that the incumbent create an environment of learning and sharing expertise. Demonstrating the desire to invest in the development of the long-term capability of self and others is important to ensure program excellence.
How To Apply
Click on the “Apply Now” button.
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.
Tips for Applicants: .
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 Saren Frias at .
Expected salary: $71967 – 94068.83 per year
Location: Edmonton, AB
Job date: Sat, 25 Nov 2023 05:54:48 GMT
