Senior Policy Advisor

Are you interested in improving outcomes for children, youth, families and individuals in Ontario who need support? Are you an innovative, strategic, and collaborative professional with demonstrated experience in delivering on complex policy issues?

If this sounds like you, consider joining the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services in an exciting opportunity with the Strategic Policy Division. The Division leads a wide range of activities including providing and leading strategic advice, coordination and oversight of strategic policy, intergovernmental relations, research, and delivery planning.

The Assistant Deputy Minister's Office supports the division with a wide range of activities, including leading strategic advice, coordination and oversight of divisional work priorities and financial planning.

The Policy Development and Collaboration Branch provides advice, analysis, and recommendations to support government decision-making on social policy issues to improve outcomes for the diverse populations and communities we support. The branch provides leadership and expertise in policy development and provides advice on policy options, recommendations, and decision-making products. The branch supports a focus on future-oriented thinking and horizontal collaboration to deliver on the Ministry's mandate for change.

The Delivery Planning and Implementation Support Branch supports the achievement of the Ministry's mandate for change by collaborating within SPD and across the ministry to test and refine new and innovative ideas that translate policy into practical actions and measurable impacts; ensure rigorous delivery plans are in place to support effective implementation of policy decisions and direction to advance the mandate for change; and monitor and report on progress towards goals set through policy decisions on the mandate for change, providing structures for leaders to address issues and remove blockers.

The Division is hiring seven (7) Senior Policy Advisors across four Branches and 3 Units: Assistant Deputy Minister's Office (1 Temporary), the Policy Development and Collaboration Branch (4 Temporary), and the Delivery Planning and Implementation Support Branch (1 Permanent, 1 Temporary).

Information Session:

We are offering an opportunity for those interested to attend a virtual session to learn more about the division and the positions to be filled.

Date: Wednesday, May 15, 2024
Time: 12 noon - 12:45 pm

Register for the info session here.
Submit your questions here.

Remember to add this event to your calendar

* This session is optional and has no impact on hiring decisions

Effective April 1, 2024 the salary range for this position is $82,217 to $121,155 per year in compliance with AMAPCEO collective agreement provisions. The new rates, effective retroactive to April 1, 2024, were recently confirmed and dates for implementation of the new salary rates are still to be determined.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.

We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.

Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.

We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?In this role, you will:
• Lead policy development, analysis and recommendations across a range of complex and cross-cutting social policy issues. This includes identifying the policy problem, developing options and delivery plans through evidence-based analysis, done with an equity and anti-racism lens and in consideration of ministry and government objectives.
• Conduct rigorous analysis that is informed by the needs of our populations, leading research, fiscal impacts, delivery considerations and stakeholder interests.
• Prepare materials in a variety of formats (e.g., briefing decks or notes), to support decision-making for senior audiences that are accurate, relevant and easy to digest.
• Collaborate with colleagues across the ministry and government in cross-functional teams, maintain seamless information flow and build consensus on challenging issues.
• Foster critical stakeholder and partner relationships to support cross-ministry and cross-government collaboration, lead engagements and consultations internally and externally, and use influencing skills to advance ministry policy objectives.
• Take leadership and ownership over policy files, and mentor the team through complex projects.

How do I qualify?Policy Knowledge and Development• You have knowledge of policy and program development principles and techniques and can lead or participate in the development of strategies, policies, and evaluation.
• You can use your knowledge to support the development of policy, regulatory or legislative frameworks related to social services policy.
• You understand public sector decision-making practices to help manage the planning, implementation and evaluation of recommended approaches.
• You have knowledge of social policy trends, issues and service needs, to advise leadership on trends that impact Ministry policy areas.
• You have ability to ensure that ministry and government objectives and directions are considered in the development of social policy and program design.
• You have ability to gain knowledge of Ministry specific mandate, policies and priorities, strategic directions and related legislation.

Problem-solving and Analysis Skills• You have knowledge of and experience applying emerging methodologies to help understand and resolve complex policy or program issues. This might include service design, user research and prototyping, Deliverology, Lean, or design thinking.
• You have experience analysing qualitative and quantitative data to develop evidence-based policy options and recommendations.
• You possess critical thinking skills to break down complex problems to identify the root cause to be solved.

Leadership and Project Management Skills• You are proactive in problem solving and can strategically navigate policy and operational processes.
• You can effectively lead multiple projects and meet deadlines within a high-demand work environment.
• You have experience working in or are comfortable operating in a matrix structure, working with multiple, cross-functional teams at once.
• You have project management skills to support the development, monitoring, and evaluation of strategies and implementation approaches.
• You are flexible to adapt to shifting priorities and evolving roles as part of a team.
• You take leadership and ownership over your work and can mentor other team members effectively.

Communication and Relationship Management Skills• You display sound judgement and have a high degree of tact and political acuity to advise senior executives on the strategic policy work.
• You can use interpersonal skills, political acuity, and diplomacy to represent the Strategic Policy Division while working alongside other divisions or executive offices in MCCSS and other ministries.
• You have networking, influencing and partnership building skills to discuss and resolve competing policy and program related issues and gain support for ministry wide initiatives.
• You are a collaborator and establish effective working relationships to achieve common goals.
• You can understand the interests of stakeholders and use influencing skills to gain their support, resolve issues and develop a coordinated position.
• You have strong written and oral communications skills and can produce and deliver high-quality, easy-to-digest communication to support decision making.
• You can develop innovative, visually based products that clearly and concisely convey complex information.

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