Policy Advisor

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

5d•CA$76,614 - CA$100,493•Onsite

About The Position

The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities. The Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services leads housing, assisted living and continuing care, seniors, income, employment and homelessness supports, disability services, and other social-based programs. The Ministry of Assisted Living and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of life of Albertans by advancing innovative and sustainable continuing care services and supports. Within the Continuing Care Division, the Home & Community Care Branch leads strategic policy, legislation, standards, and initiatives that support Albertans to access quality care and services in their homes and communities. As Alberta continues its transformation of the continuing care system, including significant investments in home and community care and palliative care, this is an exciting opportunity to contribute to initiatives that directly impact the lives of Albertans. Are you a strategic thinker who excels at transforming complex information into practical policy solutions? Do you enjoy working in a fast-paced environment where research, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and project leadership come together to drive meaningful change? If so, we invite you to join our team. The Policy Advisor plays a key role in supporting the development, implementation, and evaluation of provincial legislation, policies, standards, strategies, and initiatives related to home and community care, including palliative care. The Home and Community Care Branch is responsible for the development of legislation, provincial strategic policy and compliance oversight for home and community care, including palliative and end of life care. This includes working closely with Assisted Living Alberta (ALA) in planning for service needs across the province in both the short and longer term.

Requirements

Excellent verbal and written communication skills (e.g. articulate, clear, concise, grammatically correct).
Excellent time management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple requests, handle tight deadlines, multi-task and re-prioritize workload.
Strong analytical and conceptual skills and ability to creatively problem solve.
Strong project management skills.
Well-developed inter-personal and collaboration skills. The ability to engage positively and collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders.
Basic knowledge of, and ability to, effectively search and monitor, health/social literature databases and other policy and practice knowledge sources.
Solid performance monitoring/measurement, interpretation, and translation skills.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Ability to identify emerging trends, issues and other developments or opportunities that may impact the Ministry's response and/or direction on an issue or practice.
Ability to synthesize, analyze and interpret complex information to create concise accurate briefings, reports, and/or advice to address complex health, policy, and continuing care system issues.
Strong ability to adapt quickly to changing input, anticipate challenges and impacts, and develop mitigation strategies.
Ability to think creatively with an open mind, develop options that address complex issues, engage stakeholders, and align outcomes with organizational direction.
Ability to take a strategic, long-term, and holistic view of objectives, anticipate impacts, consider stakeholder perspectives, and develop solutions to complex policy issues.
University graduation (4 years) in public policy, health administration, health studies, health economics, social work, social sciences, project management, or 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.

Nice To Haves

Experience with continuing care and/or health program delivery.
Experience with government systems, policy cycle, and policy approval processes.
Experience with grant management.
Experience with stakeholder management.
Project management experience or certification.

Responsibilities

Support the development, communication and implementation of legislation, policy and standards, quality initiatives, the provision of strategic advice and analysis, and issues management related to home and community care and palliative care.
Perform other branch functions such as policy research, project management, stakeholder engagement, developing content for decision making and responding to correspondence (Action Requests).
Support the development, implementation and evaluation of program and policy changes that improve quality of care and quality of life for home and community care clients, including palliative care clients.
Conduct research and analysis on continuing care issues, identify trends and impacts, and develop evidence-based policy recommendations.
Prepare briefing materials, options papers, and advice for senior management and the Minister, collaborating with internal and external stakeholders.
Engage with stakeholders, the public, and internal teams to inform initiatives, gather advice, and increase awareness of the continuing care system, priority initiatives and departmental grant processes.
Prepare clear written and oral briefings, responses, and communication materials for internal and external audiences.
Proactively monitor continuing care system outcomes and program effectiveness.
Identify issues, strengths, and opportunities.
Develop work plans and coordinate the tracking and implementation of action items to ensure the timely achievement of progress.
Coordinate and prepare meeting materials, maintain governance, and project management documents, and manage/prioritize issues that come before committees and working groups.