Senior Policy Analyst

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

1d•CA$82,168 - CA$107,710•Onsite

About The Position

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction is advancing the Alberta Recovery Model as part of broader health system transformation, focusing on a recovery-oriented approach to addiction and mental health care. A recovery-oriented system of care is a coordinated network of personalized, community-based services for people at risk of or experiencing addiction and mental health challenges. It provides access to a full continuum of services and supports, from prevention and intervention to treatment and recovery. The vision is for every Albertan to have the opportunity to pursue recovery and live a healthy and productive life. The Ministry also liaises with the Office of the Alberta Health Advocates and Recovery Alberta. This role is an opportunity to build something new – something that will make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of Albertans while advancing a recovery-oriented mental health and addiction system in Alberta. The Senior Policy Analyst leads the development and implementation of operational frameworks and processes required to establish and support the Statutory Director's Office (SDO) core functions as the operational arm of the Compassionate Intervention (CI) program. Operating in a complex, time-sensitive, and evolving policy environment, this role plays a critical part in translating legislative and policy direction into effective operational practices. Initially, the Senior Policy Analyst will lead the development of the SDO's operational foundation, including operational policies, procedures, guidelines, service standards, workflows, reporting mechanisms and supporting tools. As the program evolves, the role will focus on continuously improving the operational framework, monitoring implementation, identifying opportunities for enhancement, and preparing strategic briefing materials, including briefing notes, reports, presentations, and recommendations for senior leadership. This is a unique opportunity for a passionate, innovative, and forward-thinking professional to help shape the operational foundation of a first-of-its-kind program in Canada with the potential to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of Albertans.

Requirements

University degree in Public Administration, Mental Health, Health Sciences, or related field with a minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible experience related to the role; or equivalent as described below.
Experience developing and implementing operational frameworks, including procedures, guidelines and workflows.
Experience working with policy development processes and policy implementation.
Proven ability to develop clear, concise, and well‑structured executive‑level materials (e.g., briefing notes, Cabinet documents, presentations.
Experience collaborating with internal and external stakeholders across ministries and sectors.
Demonstrated experience conducting environmental scanning, data analysis, and synthesis.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in mental health and addiction policy, recovery‑oriented systems of care, or complex social policy environments.
Experience in developing operational policies, guidelines, and manuals in the social services and/or health sectors.
Experience managing projects.
Experience leading performance measurement, evaluations, or continuous improvement activities for an organization or program.
Knowledge of or experience applying Alberta mental health and addiction legislation (Mental Health Act, Compassionate Intervention Act).
Familiarity with Government of Alberta or public‑sector policy development cycles, approvals, or reporting processes.

Responsibilities

Leading the development of SDO’s operational frameworks, including operational policies, guidelines, manuals and service standards, and strategic options aligned with Government of Alberta (GoA) standards, processes, and priorities.
Leading the development, implementation, and ongoing maintenance of SDO’s performance measurement framework, including key performance indicators and reporting functionalities and platforms.
Supporting the day‑to‑day operations of the SDO, including responses to action requests, corporate reporting requirements, and management of assigned contracts or grants.
Leading research, environmental scanning, and analysis to inform CI operational policies, guidelines and processes, as well as related mental health legislation and policies.
Identifying emerging trends, policy issues, risks, and leading practices across jurisdictions to support evidence‑based advice and recommendations.
Preparing and contributing to senior leadership materials, including briefing notes, policy options papers, Cabinet packages, presentations, and speaking notes.
Coordinating and supporting strategic engagement with internal and external stakeholders, including Indigenous communities and organizations, police services, service delivery partners, regulatory bodies, and people in pursuit of recovery.
Representing the SDO and the Ministry on cross‑ministry committees, working groups, and initiatives to foster collaboration and alignment.
Providing expert, timely advice on complex, sensitive, and high‑impact issues affecting Alberta’s mental health and addiction system.