Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead, direct and manage a team of professional staff engaged in delivering and facilitating the development of diverse infrastructure programs, strategies, policies, services and project analysis across all of Northern Ontario on behalf of the government, involving consultation/liaison with other ministries, agencies, levels of government and the private sector. To plan, recommend and manage team activities that influence the development of government policy/programming and capital planning decisions in other ministries, in order to promote increased infrastructure investments and improved transportation services in Northern Ontario. To provide effective support, advice and analysis to the Minster, Deputy Minister and Senior Staff of the Ministry of Northern Development and Mines on northern transportation/infrastructure programs and issues. To provide leadership and management expertise in the delivery of the Northern Highways Program.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Reporting to the Director, Programs, Services and Transportation Branch, and ensuring the effective provision of advice, analysis and expertise in support of transportation and infrastructure program development and delivery in the overall context of the government's priorities on a wide range of infrastructure and transportation issues, the position:

1. Leads, manages and provides direction to Northern Development Advisors and Senior Transportation Advisor in two ministry offices. Makes decisions on recruitment and selection of professional staff, and merit increases. Conducts performance reviews. Nominates staff for succession planning. Ensures optimal training services for staff. Recommends on discipline and release from employment. Leads performance management, develops annual work targets, operational planning and employee performance evaluation. Responds to grievances and ensures compliance with all relevant workplace legislation.

2. Directs skilled staff in the provision of quality, professional, program delivery and support. Analyses and researches complex and specialized transportation, communications and related environmental issues, as well as financial information from ministry agencies, options, project and program development strategies recommended by staff. Writes Business Plan submissions for the Northern Highways Program for the consideration of senior management. Reviews and approves Business Plan submissions for other infrastructure and transportation service sectors. Responds to questions from central agencies on the content of Business Plan submissions. Prepares and reviews candidate initiative proposals for consideration in the Provincial Budget and Throne Speech.

3. Develops linkages with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) and oversees the activities of staff in developing linkages with other line ministries to ensure the provision of a northern perspective in the development of partnerships to influence infrastructure development in Northern Ontario e.g. partnerships with local/federal/provincial government, private sector stakeholders. Develops, monitors and implements area-wide strategies for the delivery of government infrastructure programs and services. Evaluates team progress in meeting performance objectives. Develops options for senior management on strategic and short/long term planning initiatives.

4. Leads development and delivery of the Northern Highways Program in consultation with MTO. Reviews and recommends on program priorities and budget for the consideration of Senior Management and the Minister. Manages program development and delivery responding to numerous requests regarding programs and services involving several different client ministries and agencies. Participates in the negotiation of substantial funding/partnership agreements regarding infrastructure development priorities, issues and plans, to improve Northern Ontario e.g. funding arrangements involving municipal/provincial/ federal and private sector sources.

5. Provides leadership in the development of infrastructure development action plans and contingency planning (e.g. work disruptions in labour disputes). Manages/administers the liaison with the Ontario Northland Transportation Commission and Owen Sound Transportation Commission.

6. Provides key advisory and consultative services. Communicates the ministry's position to elected officials, client groups, other government agencies. Reviews and provides comment on ministry communications materials pertaining to the Northern Highways Program and other infrastructure programs. Responds to media inquiries regarding Northern Highway Program announcements and issues. Attends with the Minister when requested, at communications events/announcements relating to the Northern Highways Program.

7. Alerts the Director and other senior management of potential politically sensitive situations. Provides advisory services/expertise to executive management with respect to specific high profile issues relating to the Northern Highways Program and other infrastructure programs. Prepares, edits and approves briefing notes on politically sensitive, contentious or complex issues, in response to requests from the Minister, Minister's staff, Deputy Minister, Cabinet Office (or the Premier's Office as required), as well as to senior management, Deputy Ministers and ADM's in other ministries. Writes, edits and approves issues notes, Q&As, business planning notes, policy reports, and other requested information for executive management. Prepares/reviews Cabinet Submissions relating to various areas of program responsibility.

8. Analyse and evaluate government development programs, policies and initiatives to ensure the efficient and effective deployment of resources and the attainment of objectives commensurate with Northern Ontario needs and maximization of local and regional benefits and economies.. Provides input into legislation.

9. Manages multi-million dollar operational and program budgets including cost centres for Northern Highways, Local Roads Boards, Winter Roads, Access Roads, Ontario Northland Transportation Commission, Owen Sound Transportation Company. Reviews and recommends approval of inter-ministry journal entries from MTO for the Northern Highways Program. Recommends approval of advances, expenses and payments from other infrastructure program and operational budgets. Compiles information and prepares input in support of the corporate business planning process. Ensures financial accountability of payments.

10. Represents the ministry at interministerial and intergovernmental meetings and conferences. Makes presentations to Senior Management Committees, the Minister and other executive staff as required. Attends at Cabinet meetings as required to respond to potential questions on Northern Highway Program submissions/issues. Provide and be accountable for accurate and timely recommendations concerning the formulation of regional and sectoral policies and strategies to stimulate economic development and growth in Northern Ontario.

11. Prepares correspondence for the Minister and Deputy Minister's signature dealing with northern highway issues, and reviews correspondence for the Minister and Deputy Minister's signature dealing with other transportation/infrastructure programs. Leads major projects to develop strategies, programs and other major initiatives related to transportation infrastructure. Prepares and edits complex material and maintaining a sensitivity to the needs/expectations of readers.

Knowledge :

Thorough knowledge of infrastructure of northern Ontario.
Knowledge of the economic/business climate conditions and inherent complexity of the Northern Ontario economy in order to be sensitive to the needs and local issues of communities. Knowledge of MNDM policies, corporate focus, directives, guidelines and relevant legislation e.g. Local Roads Boards Act, Ontario Northland Transportation Act, Highway Transportation Improvement Act. Knowledge of Ontario's political structure, policy development/approval processes; and knowledge of the guidelines, policies and eligibility criteria of various program delivery ministries and funding agencies such as the Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation (NOHFC). Knowledge of strategic and operational planning processes, policy analysis, issues management, and quality service guidelines. Knowledge of MTO highway program management processes and construction practices. Knowledge of engineering terminology. Communication, presentation and interpersonal skills to provide advisory services to clients and ministry senior management on strategies and resolution of issues, to provide sophisticated committee input, to make authoritative presentations/proposals, and to liaise with executive management. Writing and research skills to prepare/edit complex technical reports and briefing material for the Minister/Deputy or ADM's Offices. Project management, leadership, managerial and organizational skills to manage highly trained professional staff, and engaged in program activities of considerable diversity. Knowledge of financial management and budgetary policies and practices to administer operational and program budgets. Ability to work within a multi-task, deadline-driven, high-pressure environment. Interpersonal skills and diplomacy to appropriately address politically sensitive issues. Analytical skills to deal with a myriad of unique situations, circumstances and emergencies, within Northern Ontario. Knowledge of information technology and software such as Word, Outlook, Excel, to prepare database/written reports, spreadsheets, presentation packages and correspondence.

Position requires occasional overnight travel to client/stakeholder sites. Position requires a valid Ontario driver's licence to travel to remote locations that are not accessible by public transportation.

Judgement :

The position is expected to perform tasks with self-direction and independence under the direction of the Director, and within the framework of established policies, procedures, guidelines, approved partnership agreements, and legislation, including applicable legislation from other ministries. Judgement is required to function within a program of considerable complexity and diversity, where challenges exist in terms of the broad interactional scope of contacts e.g. client ministries and other stakeholders. Judgement is exercised to promote exemplary service delivery to clients for the functions managed, while at the same time promoting the focus, business strategy and direction of MNDM. Decisions and recommendations made by the position directly contribute to the economic development of Northern Ontario. Decision-making involves; preparing/editing briefing material to rigid deadlines, on politically sensitive or highly contentious issues that could conceivably result in serious embarrassment to the ministry or the government; simultaneously addressing unique issues/circumstances, and constantly competing priorities. Judgement is required to appreciate the ripple effect of decisions. Teamwork and commitment are key elements contributing to the success of this broad-based initiative, requiring the position to act as a catalyst and consensus builder in dealing with diverse views. The position fosters active participation/involvement/ partnership; negotiates resolution between dissenting factors; recommends solutions and anticipates the implications of decisions on government, industry, the private sector and the community. Judgement is exercised to represent the government and communicate ministry position to elected officials, client ministries and agencies, community groups, councils, private sector business/industry, media and the public. Judgement and discretion are required in view of the high visibility of program delivery, where successes or failures would be clearly recognizable to the public and the media.

Accountability - Programs :

Scope of program delivery is potentially long-term with direct impact on the public, and other ministries and partners within Northern Ontario and designated geographic areas. The position leads, directs and manages a team of professional staff engaged in promoting, supporting and facilitating the development and delivery of programs, strategies, policies, services and project analysis on behalf of the government, involving partnership agreements with other ministries, agencies, levels of government and private industry. The position provides leadership and specialist expertise. The position leads and manages team activities that influence the development of government policy/programming in other ministries and capital-planning decisions, in order to promote sustained economic growth and productivity in Northern Ontario. The position contributes to policy/procedure development and analysis, and multi-year strategic planning. The position leads the development and implementation of pan-Northern initiatives as directed by senior management.

Accountability – Personnel :

The position supervises an Administrative Assistant(s), Northern Development Advisors and Senior Transportation Advisor.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

The position negotiates large-scale funding programs; assumes responsibility for negotiating, monitoring, administering and recommending payments for large-scale approved funding agreements and infrastructure programs. The position provides estimates on new core programs, and provides input into the business planning allocation process. The position is responsible for funding approval and program management for new initiatives as well as ongoing programs. Northern Highways, Local Roads Boards, Access Roads, ONTC, OSTC, COMRIF.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Due to the broad operational scope of this position, there can be significant financial, political and program impacts on northern Ontario and MNDM's ability to achieve overall objectives. Errors in judgement in the preparation or approval of briefing material could impact on the Minister's ability to effectively respond to volatile, contentious or politically sensitive issues arising at cabinet committee meetings and in the legislature, and could result in public/media/political criticism, loss of credibility to the ministry and negatively impact on economic development in Northern Ontario. Misguided decision-making or program mismanagement could result in missed opportunities or limited partnerships for improvements to economic development in Northern Ontario and potentially result in serious financial losses for the government. Failure to promote and incorporate partnerships and change initiatives could result in community discontent, frustration, unnecessary hardship/inconvenience, and negatively impact on job creation, public safety and quality of life for Northern Ontario residents.

Contact - Internal :

Position regularly exchanges information and discusses issues with the Director and the other Managers, as well as Managers, Directors and Regional Directors of other ministries and agencies (e.g. Transportation, Natural Resources, Environment, Native Affairs, Municipal Affairs & Housing, Public Infrastructure Renewal, etc.). Position is required to provide briefings to the Minister/Minister's Office, Premier's Office, Deputy Minister and ADM, as well as to senior management, Deputy Ministers and ADM's in other ministries. Position exchanges information with ministry staff in the program areas of Finance, Human Resources, Legal, Communications and Corporate Policy. Position regularly participates on MNDM and interministerial committees.

Contact - External :

Position negotiates partnerships/agreements, discusses issues/funding or exchanges information with a broad range of external contacts. Examples include: stakeholders, local governments, regional associations, local roads boards, advocacy groups, federal government departments, municipal associations, Chambers of Commerce, mayors, reeves, unorganized townships, private sector business/industry presidents, the media, federal and provincial MPs, lobby groups and the public.