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Job Specification
Position Title: ECONOMIC SPECIALIST
Job Code: AMAPCEO - Ecomcs Stat Ama Unit PEC19, 19PEC
Job ID: 21972

Purpose of Position:
As a recognized specialist in Ontario and federal income security programs and related policies, including income security programs for low income families with children and the social assistance system the incumbent in this position provides:

- leadership in areas of responsibility;
- conducts expert policy analysis and high-quality research, and provides complex and specialized input into the Ontario and national income security policy development process;
- strategic and timely advice to the Minister of Finance, and senior officials in the Ministry of Finance, Cabinet Office and other ministries. Develops high quality, strategic policy options for reforming provincial and federal income security programs for children and the Ontario social assistance system;
- high quality and timely assessments of proposals by other jurisdictions, ministries and advocacy groups.
Coordinates the work of other professional staff and supervises the work of students, as requested by Manager.
Prepares high quality and timely briefing notes, policy and Budget papers, research studies and correspondence for the Minister of Finance and senior officials in the Ministry.

Duties/Responsibilities:
Under the general direction of the Manager, Income Security Policy Section, and as a specialist in income security programs and policy analysis, including childrens benefits and social assistance, the incumbent:

1. Works closely with the Manager and Branch Director in initiating / designing high-quality briefing packages, policy papers and projects, provides progress / status reports as required and ensures deadlines are met. Provides co-ordination, leadership, and guidance to professional team members working on these projects; acts as liaison on joint projects with other branches / divisions / ministries; monitors progress on projects and addresses problems as they arise; edits work of team members, and assembles the final product as assigned.

2. Co-ordinates the work of other professional staff in the analysis and development of high-quality and timely policy options and initiatives in the areas of Ontario Child Benefit (OCB), Ontario Child Care Supplement for Working Families (OCCS) and social assistance programs, and the federal National Child Benefit Supplement (NCBS) program.
- Works with other branches and uses sophisticated spreadsheets to provide expert analyse of the fiscal, economic and distributive impact of current programs, new programs or changes to current programs. Evaluates the degree to which programs are meeting their stated goals.
- Checks work in progress to ensure that methodological approach is appropriate; assess reliability of data and source material. Develops and decides upon qualitative and quantitative methodologies to be used in formulating and evaluating program and/or policy changes or administrative arrangements.
- Analyses reports and policy submissions, evaluates same in terms of policy and fiscal considerations; prepares high-quality and timely reports and briefing packages for the Minister, senior Ministry staff, Cabinet Office and other ministries. Reports and briefing packages provide recommend policy option and outline economic, fiscal and policy consequences of identified alternatives.
- Maintains leading-edge awareness of new financial trends, policy developments, forecasts and sources of information in areas of responsibility. Ensures that senior management and Section staff are kept informed of developments and their policy and fiscal implications for the Ministry and Government. On own initiative, prepares work plans to address emerging issues that may require monitoring, active research or policy initiatives.

3. Provides expert and timely advice to the Minister of Finance, Deputy Minister and senior management in the Ministry, other ministries and Cabinet Office.
- Prepares high-quality and timely letters, memoranda, reports, analyses and presentations for the Minister, Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister and Director on technical, complex and difficult policy issues that the Section must address.
- Provides expert and timely analysis of proposals, Cabinet Submissions from other ministries and outside groups and drafts appropriate comments; prepares high-quality, well-written and timely briefing packages and Cabinet Submissions, as required. Consults with other staff in the Ministry of Finance and in other ministries and governments on joint issues and projects.
- Contributes to the work of other sections / branches / divisions / ministries by offering expert commentary and high-quality and timely advice as required. Writes high quality and timely sections of policy papers, briefing notes, briefing packages, Budget papers and sections of the Ontario Fiscal and Economic Update and Fall Statement.

4. Represents Ministry of Finance and Government of Ontarios fiscal and policy interests at inter-ministry and federal-provincial meetings on income security policy issues and programs, as requested. Attends out-of-town meetings in areas of responsibility, as required.

5. Liaises with senior management and staff in other ministries and governments to gain or exchange information, obtain feedback, interpret government policy, or provide advice or recommendations, as required. On own initiative, maintains network of credible contacts in other ministries and governments, policy institutes, and private sector organizations. Attends intergovernmental meetings, including those that require out of town travel.

6. Coordinates development and preparation of Section briefing notes and briefing packages for Minister and Deputy Minister for the Budget, sessions of the Legislature and other purposes as required / assigned.

7. Supervises summer students on a day-to-day basis as directed by Manager. Provides progress reports / information on projects being prepared by other staff and summer students under the general direction of the Manager or the Director.

8. Pro-actively contributes to work planning process of the Section, and provides advice on training and development opportunities for junior level staff.

Knowledge:
Advanced knowledge / skills in economics, public or business administration, public policy, political science or related discipline. Excellent knowledge of income security programs, including social assistance, federal and provincial child benefit programs (including the OCB, OCCS and federal NCBS), and the positions of various advocacy groups on the issues of the day. Excellent knowledge of spreadsheets, research methodology and quantitative analysis for social sciences, and policy development process within the Ontario Public Service. Excellent oral and written communications skills. Proven ability to meet very tight deadlines and prepare high-quality reports and briefing packages on technical and complex issues in a manner that is understandable to the Minister, Deputy Minister and other senior officials in the Ministry of Finance and other ministries. Proven ability to manage and work effectively with teams of professional.

Judgement:
Projects are assigned and carried out under the general supervision of the Manager and/or Director, who provide guidance in establishing terms of reference, expected output and acceptable time frames. Expert judgement is exercised in setting priorities, determining the scope of projects, developing important policy and fiscal components of projects, determining and applying appropriate research techniques, presenting analysis, options and recommendations, and ensuring deadlines are met. Exercises judgment in guiding / coaching other staff as appropriate, writing and editing reports, large / complex documents and presentations, such as Ontario Budget papers, identifying the need for briefings and briefing products for the Minister, Deputy Minister and other senior officials in the Ministry of Finance. Exercise judgement in exchanging information with contacts in other ministries, governments, and private sector organizations

Accountability - Programs:
Working to deadlines and deliverables, is directly accountable and responsible for accuracy and quality of analysis, recommendations and communication of fiscal and/or policy impacts of existing and proposed changes to child benefit programs, the social assistance system, and other tax/transfer programs for low-income persons. Is directly accountable for scrutinizing the quality, accuracy and timeliness of data, the accuracy of calculations and spreadsheets, and estimates of fiscal and/or policy impacts of income security policy options and alternatives. Primary areas of responsibility include child benefit and social assistance programs.

Accountability - Personnel:
Works on project teams composed of individuals from other sections, branches, divisions and ministries. Guides less senior staff with policy analysis, research methodology and reporting findings. When requested by Manager, supervises students and directs work of junior staff on specific research projects. Ensures accuracy and consistency of staff research, analysis and policy advice

Accountability - Finance & Material:
n/a.

Accountability - Impact of Errors:
Recognized throughout the government as a strategic thinker and a specialist in income security policy and the analysis of child benefit programs and the social assistance system. Errors in data analysis and data quality, interpretation, judgement, analysis and recommendations could lead to poor decisions, inaccurate fiscal forecasts and unrealistic Budget plans, resulting in inappropriate policy announcements or adverse financial consequences for Ontario, loss of Branch/Division credibility, breach of information security, and embarrassment to the Minister.

Contact - Internal:
Regular contact with staff in other sections, branches, ministries and other governments as required to obtain / exchange information, to enhance expert advice in areas of responsibilities, and establish linkages to other issues. Coordinates work of other professional staff, as assigned by Manager.

Contact - External:
General contact with public, media, consultants, other governments, research institutes for policy analysis and academics to provide / obtain information / collect data.

Regular contact with federal government and other provinces / territories to exchange information, ideas, research and when appropriate confidential information (under appropriate information exchange agreements). Represents Ontario at federal-provincial meetings and public consultations.