Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

• To lead, co-ordinate or perform specialized research and analysis in areas of strategy development and reviews of policies and programs related to occupational health and safety, including the prevention of workplace injuries and illnesses, and to support the preparation of the Annual Report on occupational health and safety system performance for the minister.


• To provide strategy, policy and program advice and alternatives in these areas to senior Ministry officials, including the Chief Prevention Officer, Minister and Deputy Minister, and support for their development and implementation.


• To coordinate the identification, analysis and response to issues pertinent to occupational health and safety strategy development and implementation.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The Strategy Development and Implementation section of the Branch is responsible for leading the creation, development, implementation and integration of a provincial occupational health and safety strategy and for managing and overseeing the preparation of an annual occupational health and safety system performance report for the Chief Prevention Officer and the Minister of Labour. In support of the Prevention Office mandate, this position will:


1. Strategic Research and Analysis


• Conduct high profile, complex and sensitive strategy research, analysis and synthesis, and validate developed alternatives, either independently or as part of a project team to support the preparation of the Annual Report and the vision for long term targeted outcomes and scope for change.


• Research, analyze and provide advice on initiatives proposed or implemented by other Ministries or jurisdictions and evaluate the implications for the Prevention Office and ministry program and activities.


• Lead/participate in the production of major analytical works and options papers, including strategic research and policy papers, briefing documents, presentations and interpretations for the Prevention Office and ministry executive on options to support the achievement of the Government's objectives for prevention in Ontario; attend, and lead briefing sessions as required.


• Lead/participate in concurrent complex strategy projects (e.g. projects with considerable multilateral, multifaceted, high-profile, qualitative components/aspects, and wide ranging and variable business and socioeconomic impacts across Ontario), implement research parameters and priorities, manage project activities, including performance monitoring and reporting metrics, provide expertise (e.g. on research methodology, tools, results interpretations), resolve issues, and deliver timely, complete outputs.


• Support the integration of work conducted between the divisions, other provincial ministries/agencies and by the health and safety system partners with the overall Prevention Office and MOL policy direction and strategy.


• Consult with external interest groups regarding research and analysis, strategic policy options and strategies for reform.


2. Strategy. Policy. Program and Legislative Advice/Alternatives


• Provide expert advice to senior Prevention Office and ministry officials including the Chief Prevention Officer, Minister and Deputy Minister on provincial occupational health and safety strategies, policies and, programs.


• Interpret and analyze proposals, issues and developments related to occupational health and safety legislation and programs; consult with other ministries and affected groups and assess a variety of complex strategic issues; examine the implications of, develop and analyze policy/program/legislative alternatives and provide advice on trends, contentious issues and potential impacts; participate in the development of legislation, Cabinet Submissions and supporting materials.


3. Relationship Management


• Build/contribute to strong working relationships and networks that promote effective linkages, stakeholder engagement and information sharing; consult and coordinate with peers and experts in the organization to ensure consistency and to exchange information and opinions;


• Respond directly to enquires from other branches of the ministry and internal and external stakeholders, including entities designated under the Occupational Health and Safety and Workplace Safety and Insurance Acts


• Represent the Prevention Office/ministry at meetings and conferences and inter-ministerial committees;


• Provide advice and assistance to section and branch peers, coworkers, research staff and students; assist in the development and supervision of other junior staff.


4. Issues Coordination


• Analyze and research issues to determine impact on branch/Office strategies, political sensitivity, and scope of response action; prioritize issues based on analysis.


• Coordinate identified issues, analysis and proposed response with overall branch issues management process.


• Brief manager and/or Director's Office and branch management team on complex, politically sensitive or controversial issues that may have implications for proposed or existing strategies or policies.


• Coordinate with other areas to gather information required for response,(including peers and staff/management in the Director's Office, Prevention Office, other parts of government and health and safety associations.
• Draft response based on coordinated information for review of senior manager or Director's Office.


5. Other


• Prepare high-level, non-routine, sensitive correspondence, memoranda and other written material for signature of the Chief Prevention Officer and other senior ministry officials.


• Remain current with latest research, analytical and reporting standards and practices, evaluation review techniques, and computer and quality assurance tools/techniques.

Knowledge :

Thorough knowledge of the Prevention Office and ministry's mandate, mission and agenda, and related legislation (e.g. Occupational Health and Safety Act and regulations), strategies, policies, programs and initiatives, and the objectives of provincial health and safety associations; ability to develop briefing documents, interpret proposals and provide advice on trends, contentious issues, potential impacts and policy/program/legislative alternatives; thorough knowledge of OPS policy, legislation, regulation and program development, operational planning and decision-making processes to undertake strategic policy development work independently and support policies through government decision-making structures/processes; strong research and analytical skills to conduct high profile, complex and sensitive research and analysis and to contribute to preparation of the Annual Report and authoritative research on issue management and strategy, policy and program development and approaches; strong organizational and project management skills to manage a varied work load in a high pressure environment, manage issue analysis and coordination, and lead/participate in concurrent projects, meeting deadlines and deliverables; ability to understand implications, envision consequences, manage details while keeping in mind the big picture to interpret findings and develop alternatives and provide sound advice; strong oral and written communications and relationship management skills to consult with peers and experts, provide expert advice to senior Prevention Office and ministry officials, prepare non-routine, sensitive correspondence and other material for signature of the Chief Prevention Officer and other senior ministry officials, build strong working relationships and networks and represent the Prevention Office/ministry at meetings and conferences and inter-ministerial committees; proficiency with available PC-based/networked software (e.g. for research, analysis, reporting, issues/correspondence management, co-ordinating and project planning/management).

Judgement :

The position works under the general direction of the Manager, Strategy Development and Implementation and senior staff and within broad and evolving Government/Ministry directions and priorities. The position exercises judgement by developing options and alternatives and providing advice to senior staff and management on strategy issues and provincial occupational health and safety policies, programs, processes and legislation. Judgement is required to monitor related work in other province and jurisdictions, prioritize issues related to branch/Office strategy, assess trends and implications and anticipate outcomes and potential issues. Sensitivity to the political implications of various courses of action is essential in the assessment of potential issues and impacts and in the preparation of correspondence, remarks and reports for the use of the Chief Prevention Officer or other senior Ministry officials. Good judgement, tact, discretion and sensitivity are vital in communicating and discussing the ministry's position on sensitive issues with representatives of other ministries and other government, union and management representatives.

Accountability - Programs :

The position is accountable to provide sound advice and support to branch senior staff/management, the Chief Prevention Officer and other senior ministry officials and is expected to make a significant contribution to the preparation of the Annual Report and the formulation and ministry strategy, policy and program objectives. Position exercises judgement in: conducting research and analysis of various strategic occupational health and safety system issues; leading/participating in working groups related to strategic initiatives including researching issues, trends and directions; developing and implementing information gathering techniques which are critical to effective data gathering for policy development; and in synthesizing information to meet the strategy development requirements for the branch.
Judgement is exercised in: representing the branch and Prevention Office's interests and taking a coordinated approach to strategy development and implementation when participating as a member of ministry/inter-ministerial committees and strategic policy groups; and providing strategic policy advice to internal ministry stakeholders in support of occupational health and safety strategy development, policy development, program design, standards, regulations and legislation.

Accountability – Personnel :

The position will lead assigned work and/or work teams as part of a major project initiative; oversee planning of resources, assignment of project tasks, monitoring of project progress and review of work to ensure deadlines are met.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

The position will participate in the process of estimating and assessing the financial implications and economic cost impact of current, revised or proposed strategies, policies, programs and legislation.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Ineffective research, analysis and recommendations or errors in judgement in performance of duties could impair strategy development, issue management and program delivery, result in insufficient information to support strategy development and government decision making in critical area of provincial occupational health and safety and adversely affect decisions reached by the Chief Prevention Officer or other senior Ministry officials.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with branch and division colleagues and with peers in other divisions of the ministry to lead working groups, coordinate/discuss issues and participate on projects. Regular contact with colleagues in other ministries by participating/leading ministry, inter-ministerial and inter-provincial committees to represent the branch's interests and take a coordinated approach to strategy analysis and development. Occasional contact with offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister and with the ADM to provide briefings, advice and alternatives.

Contact - External :

Regular contact with officials and professional associates in other ministries, workplace insurance and related agencies and government agencies, officials of the federal and other provincial government, academic institutions, representatives of business, labour and health and safety organizations to exchange information and advice on strategic policy issues, to explain Prevention Office and ministry policy, practice and procedures and to represent the branch/division effectively on committees or at meetings and conferences.