Senior Public Engagement Advisor

Government of Alberta•Edmonton, AB

1d•CA$82,168 - CA$107,710•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Engagement Unit is located in the Ministry of Executive Council as part of Communications and Public Engagement’s head office. Applying a strategic lens, members of the Unit advise teams across the Government of Alberta on how to effectively engage the public, stakeholders, and communities in the development of government policies, programs and services. Executive Council works to ensure effective strategic planning and coordinated policy development and communications across government, engages Albertans and the broader global community, and promotes a vibrant and innovative public service. Role Responsibilities Where people and policy meet Public engagement is the day‑to‑day work of designing ways for people to shape decisions that affect their lives. If you’re an engagement or policy professional who believes government decisions improve when people are meaningfully involved, this is your role. As a Senior Public Engagement Advisor, you will provide trusted expertise and guidance to ministries, so Albertans have meaningful opportunities to strengthen the quality of government policy, programs and services. You will advise teams across the Government of Alberta, providing thoughtful, professional advice that brings a whole-of-government lens and sound judgement to complex and sensitive contexts. You will also cultivate professional relationships and develop learning resources that support engagement best practices in the Alberta Public Service. This is not a communications or facilitation role.

Requirements

A related university degree (e.g., Business, Economics, etc.) supplemented by eight years progressively responsible 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.
Agility - You anticipate obstacles, are flexible when encountering unexpected challenges, and easily adapt to changes. Your advice helps others do the same.
Creative Problem Solving - Your advice enables departments to navigate uncertainty and complex policy development challenges to design effective ways to engage Albertans.
Drive for Results – You rise to the challenge and deliver high quality advice and information in a timely way, supporting department engagement projects to succeed.
Building Collaborative Environments – Your strong interpersonal skills enable your team to succeed. You create conditions that support working together within the team and across the public service.
Developing Networks – You create and maintain positive relationships that support coordination of engagement activities and energizes a community of professionals to strengthen public engagement practice.
System Thinking - You see connections and consider context, ensuring your advice considers a whole-of-government perspective and the perspectives of communities that may be affected by changes to policy systems.
Cover letter outlining qualifications and suitability for the role.
Clearly demonstrate how experience aligns with the position.
Include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience in resume.
Indicate whether work experience was part-time or full-time in resume.

Nice To Haves

Experience with public, stakeholder or community engagement in a public sector context.
Experience developing public engagement plans and strategies.
Strong understanding of public engagement theory and practice including: Participation frameworks such as the IAP2 spectrum, Engaging Indigenous communities, Stakeholder mapping methods, Participation methods and innovations, Facilitation techniques, Survey design and analysis, Advisory committee governance, Evaluation of engagement projects.
IAP2 training or related certification.
Experience managing issues and providing strategic advice in a public sector context.
Excellent analytical, problem solving and communications skills.
Skills and experience in developing collaborative relationships.
Skills and experience in developing and delivering learning resources to professional audiences.
Technical skills related to use of artificial intelligence in the public sector or public engagement practice (e.g., supporting analysis and synthesis of results).

Responsibilities

Apply systems thinking and a whole-of-government lens when supporting and advising on department-led engagement programs and projects.
Recommend effective ways to involve the public and stakeholders so engagement strengthens policy development and supports decisions on complex issues.
Assess impacts on stakeholders and provide advice that supports meaningful participation by people and communities affected by government decisions.
Conduct horizon/foresight/environmental scanning and jurisdictional analysis to establish context and identify strategic opportunities/risks.
Collaborate with the Policy Coordination Office to review and approve department-led engagement plans, engagement design and policy context.
Advise senior leadership on strategic considerations and risks associated with proposed engagement activity, including sensitivities, public interest, and system-level impacts that may not be visible from within a single ministry.
Prepare executive reports on the status of engagement projects.
Support Communications and Public Engagement teams to plan and deliver telephone town halls.
Grow professional networks that strengthen engagement capability, encourage knowledge exchange, and support continuous improvement.
Develop learning opportunities, resources and tools. Lead presentations, facilitate learning sessions and workshops, and translate engagement practice into practical guidance and tools (e.g., templates, information materials).