Senior Strategic Policy Consultant

City of Toronto • Union, NJ

1d • Onsite

About The Position

The Housing Secretariat is hiring two Senior Strategic Policy Consultants to join the Housing Policy and Strategy section. One position is within the Housing System & Intelligence Team, which focuses on system-level policy and intergovernmental advocacy across the housing continuum, utilizing research, data, and partnerships to advance the City’s HousingTO Plan and a rights-based approach to housing. The other position is within the Renters Strategy Team, which leads the development of programs and strategies for Toronto's renters, involving research, inter-divisional collaboration, consultations with tenants and advocates, and renter education initiatives. Both positions report to the Manager and provide strategic advice, recommendations, and leadership in the development and implementation of complex, multi-stakeholder programs and initiatives across the housing continuum. These roles require advanced skills in leadership, policy and program development, project management, stakeholder relations, and political acuity to drive housing system transformation, enhance service quality and accountability, and achieve results.

Requirements

• Post-secondary education in a related discipline (e.g. public administration, public policy, urban planning, social science) or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Considerable experience in managing and delivering large and complex policy development projects, or strategic and operational reviews within a major public or private sector organization, including leading research, analysis, reporting, implementation, and evaluation.
• Considerable experience leading project teams in a deadline-oriented environment, and supervising, motivating and training staff in an effort to enable a high-performing and diverse team.
• Considerable experience in developing and implementing strategies for stakeholder and public engagement initiatives.
• Demonstrated knowledge in housing, renter-focused policy or a demonstrated ability to gain expertise and knowledge in new and complex areas of policy development and research.
• Knowledge of the City's legislative framework and decision-making processes.
• Highly developed communications skills, both verbally and in writing, including reports, presentations, and policy briefs.
• Highly developed interpersonal skills and demonstrated proficiency in conflict resolution in complex, multi-stakeholder situations.
• An ability to advance the equitable outcomes of groups experiencing housing instability and discrimination, including Indigenous people, Black people, persons with disabilities, seniors, 2SLGBTQ+ people, women, and others.
• An ability to work with front-line and sector staff and people with lived experience of housing instability or homelessness in a collaborative manner, with the goal of designing effective policies and programs.
• An ability to deal with confidential materials and matters and implement effective privacy and information management systems.
• A deep understanding of a rights-based approach to housing and issues related to housing data, policy, programs, and development, as well as the services provided by Housing Secretariat.
• Strong customer service skills working with clients, service providers, the general public and/or staff to address service inquiries, requests and/or complaints.

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in developing policy measurement and reporting strategies and processes for government strategies will be an asset.
• Proficiency in leading public meetings with a focus on using conflict resolution and mediation techniques to navigate polarized views will be an asset.
• Advanced knowledge of MS Excel and other financial modeling software related to organizing, analyzing and reporting data for management decision making will be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Leads the planning and implementation of policy and program development, including research and analysis, public and stakeholder consultations, and drafting of strategic housing policies and initiatives.
• Provides professional and objective strategic policy and program advice to the Housing Secretariat's senior management team to address current and emerging trends and gaps in the housing system, in developing new housing supply, protecting and preserving existing housing stock and assisting renters, in line with direction from City Council, other levels of government, corporate policies and practices, and applicable legislation.
• Develops strategic and effective relations with a variety of stakeholders, including with Indigenous partners, government stakeholders and elected officials (including municipal and regional partners), non-profit and private development partners including financial institutions, and people with lived experience of housing instability and homelessness.
• Leads multi-divisional and multi-sectoral project teams by establishing strong governance structures including representative steering groups, working groups and committees, applying sound project management methodologies including full work plans, timelines, communications plans and deliverables, reports on progress, tracks decisions, and provides advice and analysis of implications of changes to project plans.
• Supervises, motivates and trains assigned staff, ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality, organizational performance, and continuous learning, while integrating actions to support the City's commitment to truth, justice, and reconciliation and confronting anti-Black racism.
• Ensures integrated and consistent communications, issues management, and responses to existing and emerging issues.
• Prepares comprehensive reports and presentations to Committees of Council, community, and other stakeholder groups.
• Develops analysis and recommendations on legislative changes related to affordable housing, including renter issues, and recommends policies for the City and other levels of government.

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: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree