Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide educational expertise in the design, development and implementation of policies, programs, standards and initiatives related to French-language education in Ontario. To conduct formal consultations and linkages with stakeholders and interest groups.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Within the French-Language Education Policy and Programs Branch which is responsible for leading the development of strategic policy and implementation of related programs for French-language elementary and secondary education in Ontario, the position: 1. Provides strategic leadership, planning, coordination and specialized French-language education expertise to ministry branches and divisions in the development of policies, guidelines and standards. Researches and analyzes issues, facilitates the design and monitoring of work plans, and coordinates the consultation process for policy development. 2. Provides information/data, leadership and professional expertise to French-language school boards, and French-language provincial associations and stakeholders on issues related to the interpretation, application and implementation of policies, guidelines and standards. Ensures compliance and consistency in policy approaches and integration with the ministry's elementary/secondary education mandate. 3. Develops and sustains positive relationships and networks with a broad range of French-language education stakeholders and interest groups, and chairs and/or participates on ministry, inter-ministerial and inter-provincial committees to gather information, opinions and attitudes; to identify stakeholder needs; to develop a coordinated approach, cooperation and buy-in for the development and implementation of policies, programs and initiatives. 4. Provides strategic and expert educational advice to ministry senior management on French-language policy/program issues. Participates in the development of overall strategic directions for the French-language Education Policy and Programs Branch. 5. Coordinates and provides educational expertise in the development and roll-out of province-wide implementation plans, standards of performance and monitoring strategies. Participates on committees, study groups and task forces addressing policy and program related issues. 6. Identifies and analyzes current and emerging issues in French-language education which may have province-wide impact and formulates recommendations, strategies and policy options for senior management. Responds to the unique needs and realities of the French-language community while maintaining consistency with French-language education priorities. 7. Leads and/or develops research, training and/or policy materials and submissions for purposes of government approvals and/or field implementation. Prepares briefing notes, letters, speeches and position papers for senior management and in response to correspondence for the Minister's, Deputy Minister's and senior officials' signature. 8. Provides functional guidance and expertise to diverse and geographically dispersed stakeholders. Acts as a project team leader. Estimates and manages project budgets.

Knowledge :

Thorough knowledge of Ontario educational systems, with proven knowledge and skills in French-language elementary/secondary school and board settings; a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of educational theories and practices in the areas of curriculum development and related programs. Member in good standing with the Ontario College of Teachers, with extensive Ontario teaching experience. Thorough knowledge and interpretative understanding of the ministry legislative structure and authorities, policies and mandate which impact French-language education policy. Knowledge of policy and program analysis, design and development, and research and evaluation, to lead and coordinate major policy projects. Issues analysis skills and an understanding of the specialized educational needs and issues faced by the Francophone community including socio-cultural, economic and demographic factors which impact on education, to identify and provide responses to issues and concerns with province-wide impact. Skills to work collaboratively as a team member to produce discussion papers and draft policies. Consultative and leadership skills to provide expertise and advice to ongoing contacts including regional offices staff, and French-language school boards and provincial associations. Superior conceptual, research, analytical, evaluation and interpretative skills including the ability to analyze policies and data for reports and studies. Strong ability to think strategically, anticipate and absorb complex, large-scale issues, and develop effective and practical long and short-term policy positions. Sound project management, team leadership and administration abilities to produce high quality results on time. Excellent presentation and persuasion skills to influence senior level decision-making. Strong interpersonal and stakeholder management skills to identify and appreciate the realities of the French-language education community. Superior oral and written communication skills in French and English to prepare and present a wide range of policy reports, resource material, recommendations, proposals, briefings, ministerial correspondence and presentations, and to represent the ministry on various committees.

Judgement :

Position works independently, receiving general direction from the Managers or the Director, and is guided by the government's French-language education mandate, broad educational legislation and regulatory guidelines, policies, professional practices and precedents. Position exercises significant influence over French-language educational policy directions, standards and/or service delivery across the province. Judgement is required to: formulate policy recommendations for French-language education which meets the branch mandate and government education directions, are responsive to the specific requirements of the Francophone community, and maintain and promote the French-language while meeting the dual challenge of education excellence, and the maintenance and promotion of French-language and culture. Position exercises judgement in identifying and analyzing issues which impact on policies and are often politically sensitive, and in developing options/responses to these issues; in developing and maintaining effective relationships with key stakeholders to discuss policy issues and concerns. Judgement is required to develop standards of performance describing the level of competencies of student achievement. Judgement is also required to represent the ministry when liaising with a broad range of French education community organizations, to establish and maintain respectful relations with stakeholders and peers, and to maintain a professional, credible presence.

Accountability - Programs :

Position is fully accountable for: developing policies, guidelines and/or standards which support the government's education goals in an efficient and effective manner for French-language education; ensuring that education authorities implement these policies/standards/guidelines/legislative amendments consistently across the province; and providing expert French-language educational advice, direction and interpretation.

Accountability – Personnel :

Provides functional guidance and expertise to diverse and geographically dispersed stakeholders. Acts as a project team leader.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Estimates the potential financial impacts of policy options and recommendations. Estimates and manages project budgets. Position is accountable for the security and confidentiality of data and policy materials.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

The ministry relies heavily on the Education Officer to provide expert field advice in the development of policies, programs, standards and initiatives for its mandate. Failure to provide reliable and comprehensively researched advice and recommendations could result in the adoption of misdirected, wasteful and unpopular policies, programs and initiatives province-wide, leading to substandard French-language education and low achievement rates for students across the province. In turn, this could result in deteriorating trust and hardened relationships between school authorities, French-language stakeholders, interest groups, the ministry and the government.

Contact - Internal :

Extensive contacts with the Managers, Director, other ministry management and Regional offices to coordinate ministry initiatives as they relate to French-language schools, and to respond to queries and provide information; to advise on implications of curriculum policy directions and to make recommendations. Occasional contacts with the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Assistant Deputy Minister to provide advice, briefing material, and responses to French-language education issues. Extensive contacts with colleagues to coordinate/participate in committees/projects, share information and expertise, ensure policy/program development continuity, and ensure consistency in approaches and integration with overall education mandate. Participates on ministry and inter-ministerial committees to establish partnerships for coordinated approaches to program implementation.

Contact - External :

Extensive contact with senior officials of French-language school boards, teachers, interest groups, French-language provincial associations and stakeholders, to conduct issues analysis, respond to questions pertaining to ministry policies and guidelines for French-language schools, and to make presentations regarding French-language education initiatives. Leads committees; represents the ministry and/or government to French-language stakeholders.