POLICY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER HOUSING SECRETARIAT

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

3d • CA$105,241 - CA$146,191 • Onsite

About The Position

The Policy Development Officer is a key strategic role for a politically savvy, action-oriented professional with strong policy, research, and relationship-building expertise. Reporting to Housing Consultant or designate, the position leads strategic and operational policy development, program design, evaluation, and continuous improvement initiatives that support program, unit, and divisional priorities. With strong communication, facilitation, and project leadership skills, the successful candidate will help translate strategy into action—strengthening service quality, accountability, and results across Toronto’s housing and homelessness prevention system.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in public administration, public policy, business administration, social science or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Considerable experience working with housing-related policy and legislation applied through policy analysis, planning and development and/or program design, implementation, and evaluation.
• Considerable experience in project management including project design, development, implementation, and/or evaluation.
• Experience in social science research methodologies and techniques and experience in writing comprehensive complex and formal reports.
• Experience in community engagement / consultation processes, including relationship building, facilitation, consensus-building, and conflict resolution, in an effort to gain input and understanding from a broad range of stakeholders.
• Understanding of the Federal/Provincial/Municipal and community funding relationship.
• Knowledge of policies affecting housing programs is essential.
• Knowledge in the area of quality assurance, customer service, continuous improvement, service reviews and compliance or related subject matter.
• Excellent strategic and conceptual skills to develop creative solutions in combination with strong research, analytical and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent relationship building skills to engage with, as well as facilitate training for, a broad range of stakeholders.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, coupled with political acuity.
• Ability to work both independently as well as lead effective teams.
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office and other database software.
• Ability to travel to community service sites when required.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of Indigenous cultures, contemporary and historical issues, including awareness of cultural teachings and experience working closely with Indigenous communities would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Provides input into and administers assigned budget, ensuring that expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations as it relates to policy/program matters.
• Provides policy/program development, research/analysis, and evaluation/support to senior management of the Division/Corporation to support the delivery of the housing/homeless programs.
• Develops/recommends new policy and policy amendment interests/priorities of Council; Corporate, Divisional, senior management, senior levels of government; service agencies/users and the community.
• Develops policy and program guidelines and procedures.
• Leads policy and program development processes by identifying, formulating, and recommending new policy and policy amendments, preparing, and supporting the delivery of detailed implementation plans.
• Provides strategic financial/political advice.
• Develops and recommends innovative solutions and provides interpretive advice/support to staff, funded agencies, and the public.
• Leads task forces, special committees, and public consultation processes.
• Implements policy and program through; communication messages; developing/implementing accountability framework; developing training programs for staff, funded agencies, and the public.
• Research, analyzes, and evaluates policies/programs through; management of qualitative/quantitative data; management of sensitive/confidential information, such as determining research priorities.
• Provides project management, including but not limited to preparing request for proposals; evaluates proposals; ensures quality in project deliverables within timeframes and ensures compliance to related Corporate policies.
• Provides leadership to project teams comprised of multiple stakeholder interests such as divisional staff, staff of other divisions and/or City agencies and/or external stakeholders.
• Represents City interests in inter-jurisdictional, inter-governmental, international and community meetings/settings. Also, in community-based policy/program development initiatives.
• Participates in inter-Divisional policy/program development initiatives.
• Prepares reports/publications (e.g.: Council reports, briefing notes and communications/presentations) for senior management.
• Conducts on-site visits to housing/homelessness service providers.
• Responds to issues arising when in contact with the public.
• Develops and maintains effective working relationships with funding partners, senior levels of government, other city divisions, community agencies, and advocates to identify current thoughts, issues and trends, facilitate service coordination, and organize relevant forums and workshops.

Benefits

• The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.
• Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs.
• Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree