POLICY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER

City of Toronto • Toronto, ON

2d • CA$105,241 - CA$146,191 • Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Secretariat, Housing Stability Services Unit is looking for a Policy Development Officer to support divisional priorities. Reporting to the Housing Consultant, the Policy Development Officer has varying responsibilities including developing strategic and operational policies, strategies and program evaluations for the housing and homelessness service delivery system; leading stakeholder engagement; supporting training and communication activities directed at service providers.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in public administration, public policy, business administration, social science or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Experience working with housing-related policy and legislation applied through policy analysis, planning and development and/or program design, implementation and evaluation.
• Experience in project management, with the demonstrated ability to effectively meet deadlines.
• Experience in social science research methodologies and techniques including writing comprehensive complex and formal reports.
• Understanding of the Federal/Provincial/Municipal and community funding relationship
• Knowledge of policies affecting housing programs is essential.
• 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.
• Familiarity with Occupational Health and Safety legislation.

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

• Leads strategic policy development, policy analysis, research and program development processes by identifying, formulating and recommending new policy and policy amendments, preparing and supporting the delivery of detailed implementation plans.
• Conducts program and function reviews, development of performance monitoring systems, quality assurance programs for senior management of the Division/City.
• Evaluates the strengths, weaknesses and effectiveness of programs and policies by conducting research and analysis, including creating and implementing analytical tools and databases for program development, and influences implementation by the Division/City and other levels of government and/or community agencies
• Leads and directly conducts ongoing research (qualitative and quantitative data) and analysis of trends and activities related to social and affordable housing and related services such as employment and legislation in order to provide information and identify emerging issues and opportunities to senior management
• Prepares Committee and Council reports, research analysis, major funding requests, briefing notes, presentations and other policy reports/recommendations as required by senior management consistent with unit, divisional and corporate priorities and strategic directions, generates options for programs and policies, assessing the implications and feasibility of these options and recommending solutions and implementation approaches.
• Supports the effective administration of programs by drafting program directives and other communications to service providers
• Maintains an awareness of social, economic and political issues and trends that provides information, policy development and reports based on such issues and trends
• Implements policy and program through communication messages, developing and implementing accountability frameworks, developing and delivering training programs for staff, funded agencies, board members and the general public.
• Provides leadership in the planning and progress of project-based assignments to investigate policy and program options including developing project objectives, requests for proposals, terms of reference, evaluation methods and consulting with relevant stakeholders.
• Develops policies, strategies and program recommendations to improve and better coordinate housing and housing support services.
• Develops targets, criteria and outcome measures to measure the effectiveness and success of programs.
• Fosters, and works collaboratively to maintain close and effective, working relationships with managers and supervisors in the division and, representatives from community-based non-profit organizations, City divisions and other levels of government, technical consultants, and members of the public or other groups as appropriate.
• Engages other stakeholders, service providers, local planning groups, advocates and constituents, in system and service analysis and development.
• Leads project teams to research, prepare, and monitor implementation of recommendations and manages budgets, requests for proposals and service contracts related to projects.

Benefits

• The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve.
• The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization.
• We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).
• 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