POLICY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER HOUSING SECRETARIAT

City of Toronto•Toronto, ON

2d•CA$105,241 - CA$146,191•Hybrid

About The Position

The Housing Secretariat is hiring for two Policy Development Officers to join the Housing Policy and Strategy unit. One position is within the Housing System & Intelligence Team, which delivers system-level policy across the housing continuum based on research and data on short- and long-term market trends, and in consultation and partnership with internal and external stakeholders, with a focus on advancing a rights-based approach to housing. The other position is within the Renters Strategy Team, which delivers renter-focused policy and program development, research, program evaluation, consultations, and strategic project planning, including for matters related to the Residential Tenancies Act, rental building standards, and renter education and awareness. 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 the team Manager 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 policy development, writing, research, facilitation, project management, and relationship-building 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 a related discipline (public administration, public policy, business administration, urban planning, social science) or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
Considerable experience in policy development and design, including policy research and planning, development, implementation and evaluation, and ability to advance knowledge translation between research, policy and operations.
Considerable experience in project management, stewarding complex initiatives from inception through to implementation with minimal direction, while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests.
Considerable experience in building and cultivating relationships across an organization and engaging internally and with a broad range of external stakeholder groups, including community groups, program staff, residents and/or people with lived experience of homelessness and housing precarity in the development of public policy.
Knowledge and understanding of current issues and trends in homelessness, affordable and social housing, renter-focused housing issues, the right to adequate housing and systemic inequities, and the responsibilities of the Federal/Provincial/Municipal levels of government polices affecting housing development and services; OR considerable and demonstrated experience in quickly gaining expertise and knowledge in new and complex areas of policy development and research.
Excellent strategic and conceptual skills to develop creative solutions in combination with strong research, analytical and conflict resolution skills.
Exceptional leadership, negotiation and collaboration skills and the ability to coach and influence without direct authority, and to lead effective project teams.
High degree of judgment, political acumen and discretion; ability to analyze, problem solve and mediate complex situations, including ability to deal with divergent stakeholder interests.
Excellent presentation and written communication skills with the ability to structure and present information to both internal and external partners through a variety of communications platforms, while ensuring corporate branding and messaging.
Strong networking and relationship building skills; and ability to handle matters of a confidential/sensitive nature as it relates to Council, senior staff, management and unionized employees.
Highly developed verbal and written communication skills, coupled with political acuity.
Familiarity with municipal government, Committee and Council proceedings, City guidelines, policies, municipal bylaws and relevant legislation including Human Rights Code, Occupational Health and Safety Act, AODA and a general understanding of issues facing the City.
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 policy/program development, research/analysis, and evaluation/support to senior management of the Division/Corporation to formulate strategic policy, program analysis and recommendations and/or generate options for programs and policies, assessing the implications and feasibility of these options and recommending solutions and implementation approaches.
Develops/recommends new policy proposals and amendments to address interests/priorities of Council; Corporate, Divisional, senior management, senior levels of government; service agencies/users and the community.
Leads policy and program development processes by identifying, formulating, and recommending new policy proposals and amendments, preparing, and supporting the delivery of detailed implementation plans.
Prepares reports/publications (e.g.: Council reports, briefing notes, communications/presentations, research analysis, funding requests, and other policy reports/recommendations as required) for senior management consistent with unit, divisional and corporate priorities and strategic directions.
Provides strategic financial/political advice, maintaining awareness of social, economic, and political issues and trends and developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
Develops and recommends innovative solutions and provides interpretive advice/support to staff, funded agencies, and the public.
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.
Leads public consultation processes and supports engagement with service providers, special committees, local planning groups, community advocates and constituents.
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.
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.