Issues Coordinator / Strategic Issues Advisor

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

6d•CA$76,614 - CA$100,493•Onsite

About The Position

The Ministry of Children and Family Services funds programs and services to support vulnerable children, youth, families and individuals to live safely and succeed in Alberta. This includes providing services and resources to protect children and youth from abuse and neglect. Mentoring and support services are available to youth transitioning into healthy, productive adults. The ministry also invests in community-based groups that support prevention and early intervention services such as Family Resource Networks, youth emergency shelters as well as programs that raise awareness and help respond to family violence, sexual violence and abuse. This role is for detail-oriented professionals with exceptional writing and analytical skills, sound judgment and an interest in working through complex issues. The Ministry of Children and Family Services is seeking candidates for three full-time, permanent issues coordination roles in our Assistant Deputy Minister’s Offices (ADMOs): Issues Coordinator, Regulatory Compliance, Quality Assurance and Business Supports (RQB) Division; Strategic Issues Advisor, Corporate Finance Division; and Issues Coordinator, Indigenous Partnerships and Strategic Services (IPaSS) Division. Reporting to the Issues Managers in the ADMOs, the Issues Coordinators for RQB and IPaSS and the Strategic Issues Advisor for Corporate Finance play a key role in supporting the smooth flow of information across their divisions and coordinating timely responses to complex issues affecting their divisions and the department. We are looking for strong communicators and critical thinkers who can translate complex operational information into clear, accurate and well-informed materials. The successful candidates will be naturally curious, ask thoughtful questions, identify information gaps and work collaboratively with program areas and senior leaders to prepare high-quality briefings and correspondence. If you enjoy connecting with subject matter experts and branch leaders and using your strategic communication and analytical skills to support accurate, relevant and timely communications, these roles may be a strong fit. As an Issues Coordinator or Strategic Issues Advisor, you will support issues management by identifying, prioritizing and coordinating responses to complex and sensitive issues impacting the division and ministry. You will oversee quality assurance of written materials and coordinate daily operations across the division. This role helps support the timely preparation, review and approval of divisional correspondence and briefings for the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM), Deputy Minister (DM) and Minister. You will manage items through the Action Request Tracking System (ARTS) and help to ensure timely, high-quality materials are provided for all requests. These roles provide an opportunity to gain meaningful exposure to executive decision-making and insight into divisional and ministry priorities. Through ongoing collaboration with senior leaders and program areas, you will have the opportunity to build professional networks, deepen your understanding of government operations and develop transferable skills that can support future career growth in issues management, policy, communications or executive office roles.

Requirements

Post-secondary graduation in a related field plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent.
Strong writing and editing skills.
Sound judgment.
Attention to detail.
Strong organizational skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Nice To Haves

Strong technical writing, editing and proofreading skills.
Ability to effectively manage competing priorities and short timelines.
Direct experience working with the Action Request Tracking System (ARTS).
Strong proficiency with Microsoft Office.
Experience drafting briefings or correspondence for senior leaders including Executive Directors, ADMs, DMs or Ministers.
Experience managing large volumes of complex information and providing recommendations or options for executive consideration.
Knowledge and understanding of Government of Alberta and ministry-specific policies, guidelines, directives and acts/regulations.
Previous experience working in an executive office.

Responsibilities

Coordinating and tracking Action Requests (ARs) and other ministerial correspondence through ARTS, ensuring deadlines are met and responses move efficiently through the review and approval process.
Drafting, reviewing and editing briefing notes and correspondence to ensure clarity, completeness, accuracy and alignment with ministry priorities and correspondence guidelines.
Identifying information gaps, asking strategic follow-up questions and working with program areas to strengthen the quality of responses.
Supporting issues management processes by organizing information, actioning and tracking priority items and ensuring timely responses to requests from senior leaders, including the ADM, DM and Minister.
Building collaborative working relationships across branches and divisions to support strategic alignment across the ministry.
Contributing to effective issues coordination by aligning timelines, priorities and information across divisions.