Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To undertake community, organizational and economic development activities that will optimize the development and delivery of government programs, policies and projects by providing advisory and consulting services in the areas of citizenship, immigration, culture ( e.g. heritage, municipal cultural planning, and cultural tourism), sport and health promotion that improves social, cultural, and economic conditions in local communities resulting in an increase in the quality of life, job creation and sustainable economic growth and prosperity.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The position is within the Regional Services Branch of the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration but provides regional services for multiple ministries (e.g. Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Health Promotion and Sport, Ontario Woman's Directorate, and the Ontario Seniors Secretariat). Under the general supervision of the Regional Manager, the position has the following duties and responsibilities: 1. Initiating and supporting the community's social and economic quality of life by promoting, marketing and delivering a wide variety of government funding programs and other program initiatives; providing advice to clients about application processes to programs and the development of business cases; reviewing applications, evaluating submissions, undertaking analyses, making funding recommendations, monitoring projects, managing contractual agreements, and undertaking post project evaluations to meet government business goals and accountability objectives. 2. Providing specialist economic, community development and capacity building advisory services to Municipalities, First Nations, local and regional based organizations to create new opportunities for skilled employment by maintaining an in-depth knowledge of the social, cultural, and economic base in the geographic area and by utilizing strategic planning and analysis 3. Establishing linkages and maintaining relationships with external stakeholders in order to provide community intelligence to Branch management and ministry program partners to support business decision making and to provide input to branch operational plans, policies, strategies and support public affairs and issues management. 4. Leading, facilitating, supporting and working with external stakeholders on community and economic development initiatives by: conducting workshops, preparing educational materials, seminars on business planning, program guidelines, leadership, organizational development, volunteer management and sectoral strategies. 5. Providing information and advice regarding the availability and access to Ministry and other government programs and facilitating linkages and referrals to other public and private sources. 6. Providing ministry/branch representation to initiate and/or coordinate the implementation and delivery of community economic development initiatives and programs among various government and non- government agency committees. 7. Participating in Ministry area operational planning within the broad framework of the government and strategic objectives and priorities of multiple Ministries (Citizenship and Immigration, Tourism and Culture and Health Promotion and Sport); administering assigned budget; leading and participating in regional and provincial projects; providing field intelligence (e.g. environmental scans, community profiles, briefing notes) to the Ministries/management regarding local issues and concerns. 8. Providing public affairs support, including the development of agendas and events, by organizing and coordinating Ministry led events e.g. local consultations, tours by Minister and senior staff and Ministry announcements, and working in cooperation with the Regional Support Services Unit. 9. Providing assistance to identify and protect multiple ministry interests in legislative and regulatory matters. 10. Providing office operational functions for regional offices including procurement of supplies, liaison with building management, file management and/or mail/courier.

Staffing and Licencing :

Job requires proficiency in English as well as oral and written proficiency in French at the advance level. Job requires valid Ontario 'G' Class drivers licence to drive to geographically diverse meetings in communities and project sites throughout Ontario.

Knowledge :

Position requires: Knowledge and understanding of the theories, principles and practices of community! economic/cultural and social development programs and services to provide consultation and advice to senior and other levels within both the private and public sector. Knowledge of the history, structure and dynamics of geographic, social, cultural, and economic communities in assigned area; knowledge of the operations, practices and relationships between a broad range of organizations, local businesses, municipalities and First Nations and their interrelationship; knowledge of key community issues to advise clients and ministry management on strategies for community economic development and organizational development, resolution of area issues to recommend ways to increase resources and partnerships among community agencies. organizations and the private sector; and to identify operational practices to enhance operations. Knowledge of legislation, policies, procedures and funding approval processes of Ministry and government programs, to provide advisory services, interpretation, and information regarding the availability and relevance of initiatives to the clients. Knowledge of strategic planning, business planning, operational planning, governance, revenue generation, marketing and policy development to assist clients in developing strong, self sufficient and self reliant organizations, focused on their core businesses. General knowledge of the mandate and role of the supported ministries and detailed knowledge of the specific programs and services delivered on behalf of those ministries while working in an environment of continuous change and diverse ministry mandates and services. Knowledge of research and planning methodologies to identify community needs and trends and to assist clients and organizations in analysing the potential impact of trends and to develop appropriate community strategies. Knowledge of customer service strategies, tools, techniques, and evaluation mechanisms to assist a diverse range of clients in providing effective service to their clients. Knowledge of project planning and management methodology and processes to co-ordinate and lead projects. Knowledge of training techniques and principles to develop and deliver a range of workshops, training and information sessions and to develop tools and techniques to assist clients. Knowledge of financial analysis, accounting principles, budgeting, financial management, performance indicators and standards, and grants administration policies and processes to provide information regarding grant programs, and to assess, recommend and evaluate financial assistance submissions within audit and accountability standards. Knowledge of computer programs and other software applications to prepare own materials and utilize database systems for file management and for client service purposes. General knowledge of the acts and regulations that impact on clients, e.g., the Ontario Heritage Act, Public Libraries Act, and their regulations, such as those governing community museums. General knowledge of programs of other levels of government and other sources of public and private funding as they relate to the multiple ministry mandates to work effectively in the public sector environment. General knowledge of the principles of risk assessment and risk management to appropriately assess project viability and make recommendations regarding funding. Knowledge of office operations, procedures, and processes including expense reporting, facilities, file and record management, courier and referrals. Proficiency in English as well as oral and written proficiency in French at the advance level to deliver French Language Services as required for all ministries served and a specialized and in-depth knowledge of the Franco-Ontario community, its stakeholders and issues.

Skills :

Position requires: Analytical and problem-solving skills to: o identify opportunities for partnerships and collaborative ventures which will support social and economic growth; o conduct business case assessment and financial analysis of funding program applications; o assess and advise on sector/industry practices and studies, evaluate program needs and determine the viability of existing and potential initiatives. o assess the training needs of stakeholders and develop and deliver training; o develop and monitor performance indicators related to contractual agreements and funded projects; o develop appropriate strategies (e.g. training, partnership development, strategic funding assistance, and strategic development) to address identified client needs. Demonstrated problem solving, dispute resolution and negotiation skills to facilitate the process of problem solving and conflict resolution while leading and facilitating project teams, group meetings, training workshops and presentations. Consensus building skills to foster partnerships among clients in order to address community issues and facilitate change. Oral and written communication skills to: o provide clients with information and advice regarding ministry programs and services, legislation, regulations, and grant program policies; o develop and deliver training programs, workshops and resource materials, and to represent the ministry at events; o prepare issue papers, briefing materials, tour/event profiles and correspondence for use by senior executives as well as the identification of emerging issues at the local and regional level. Evaluation skills to assess project proposals against financial, economic, strategic and legal considerations and audit standards as well as potential economic benefits/impacts to community/industry. Good public relations, interpersonal, networking and consulting skills in order to foster strong relationships with senior level staff to promote community economic development with a wide variety of stakeholders. Well-developed interpersonal and facilitation skills to establish and enhance partnerships, coalitions and networks to support policy development and program delivery, sharing of information, education and training. Demonstrated leadership skills to plan and coordinate project teams, networks, forums and working groups to coordinate activities and maximize outcomes. Organizational skills in the preparation of detailed tour books for visits and in supporting tours to the area by the Minister, Parliamentary Assistant, Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister. Political acuity to support appropriate issues management and provide recommendations as required. Project management skills to plan and coordinate activities in consultation with clients and stakeholders.

Freedom of Action :

Position works under the general supervision of the Regional Manager, with varying levels of on-site supervision, and within the legislation, directives, policies, and guidelines of the government. Position requires working in an assigned socio-economically and geographically diverse territory requiring the organizing and prioritizing of own workload to ensure that assignments are completed within established timeframes, and meet performance standards. Position requires working within legislation, policies, procedures and funding approval processes of ministry/government programs. Position requires making decisions in the application and interpretation of policies, procedures and funding approval processes related to the delivery of ministry/government programs which vary across multiple ministries. Position requires latitude in determining optimum methods to initiate and support collaborative social, community, and economic development initiatives. Position requires providing advice on potential ministry investments in project proposals/ideas, project viability, community needs, development of proposals and opportunities for partnerships. Position exercises discretion in managing contractual agreements to ensure compliance with program and audit requirements, and to provide approval for clients to make adjustments within approved program parameters. Position works independently using judgement and discretion in determining the most efficient and effective utilization of working hours and developing individual work plans and program delivery strategies for meeting deadlines and work activity priorities. Work is reviewed by manager through regular updates and progress reports on activities within the assigned territory. Position exercises judgement in referring critical issues to the manager and presents business cases and transfer payment recommendations for manager's consideration.