Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide project leadership and expertise in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government wide information and information technology strategies and polices that support government's policy, business and service delivery objectives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Within a unique and complex I&IT governance structure, the position:

1. Facilitates the policy planning process for the definition, monitoring and update of the policy agenda including implementing methods to solicit customer policy input and suggestions; providing value added analysis; and reviewing and amending priorities as the environment changes.

2. Provides project leadership and co-ordination in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government-wide I&IT strategies and polices which address a range of issues in such areas as: knowledge management, information management, intellectual property, information technology, and electronic service delivery/channels.

3. Develops, conducts and/or manages research projects to identify and review emerging trends in information and information technology including knowledge and information management. Designs and develops research proposals, methodologies and objectives and researches various data sources in other jurisdictions, academic institutions, and consulting organizations. Prepares reports on research findings and policy recommendations resulting from these findings. Validates findings/recommendations with ministry and IT cluster partners.

4. Leads/contributes to assigned corporate projects and/or work teams comprised of colleagues and clients throughout the OPS. Undertakes all areas of policy development including: establishing project parameters, negotiation of financial and human resources and collaborative working groups, facilitating project stages and activities, monitoring project progress, negotiation, problem resolution and review and takes appropriate steps to ensure high standards are met by project team.

5. Conducts sophisticated environmental scanning to identify and address issues which have I and IT implications for business decision making and linking trend information and analyses to the resolution of policy issues. Identifies, customizes and supports adoption of best practice approaches that are transferable with the OPS or from the broader public/private sector.

6. Develops and manages critical networks and stakeholder relations with a variety of internal customers across the OPS in both ministries and IT clusters to support policy planning and development initiatives. Participates/leads ministry and inter-ministerial committees bringing a coordinated approach to policy analysis and an ability to achieve appropriate balance between corporate directions and ministry objectives.

7. Prepared briefing notes, correspondence and position papers for senior management and in response to correspondence for the Minister's Deputy Minister's, Corporate CIO and senior officials' signatures.

8. Develops and shares information products that progress on I and IT initiatives and milestones of interest to customers.

Knowledge :

Position requires knowledge and understanding of the governments policy setting and decision-making processes; knowledge and understanding of the governments policy agenda and policy environment; knowledge and understanding of the governments I and IT strategy and directions, I and IT governance structures, and the processes through which I and IT decision making is made (e.g. cluster organization, ADM/DM level committees) to provide leadership in the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government wide information and information technology strategies and policies. Specialized knowledge and expertise in one or more of the following areas - information management, knowledge management, information technology and electronic service delivery/channels to develop and evaluate government-wide I&IT strategies and polices in these specialized areas. Excellent skills in applying current research methodology/policy development tools and techniques, particularly as they pertain to analyzing and assessing a broad range of information and information technology issues, trends and directions. Position requires strong strategic orientation skills to understand and assess the external impact of trends and issues on internal strategy, policy and planning. Knowledge of project methodology and superior project management and team leaderships skills to provide project planning and leadership on concurrent policy development projects and to manage deadlines and competing priorities. Financial skills to develop project budget requirements and oversee assigned financial and human resources. Financial skill are also required to be able to thoroughly assess the implications of policy issues and proposed solutions. Strong analytical thinking skills to apply several analytical techniques to break apart complex problems into component parts, identify several solutions and weigh the value of each. Oral and written communication skills to prepare and present detailed research proposals, methodologies, policies, project plans and reports and to provide expertise and advice to clients. Excellent consulting, interpersonal skills and client service orientation to establish and maintain effective liaison/rapport with clients, management and staff at all levels, negotiate and resolve service problems. Strong stakeholder management, partnership and relationship building skills to initiate and nurture strong working relationships with colleagues throughout the Division, ministry and OPS and external stakeholders to work cooperatively with all stakeholders to meet mutual goals and to act as a trusted advisor and to support and coordinate consultation processes. Excellent mediation, negotiation, and facilitation skills to provide leadership on project and work teams and to apply impact and influence and persuasive techniques to adapt a presentation or discussion to appeal to the interest and level of others. Technical skills to operate various programs to prepare own materials.

Judgement :

Positions works under the general direction of the Manager, Strategy and Policy and within the board strategic framework of the I and IT Strategic Plan and related provincial and federal legislation. Position is expected to work with a high level of initiative and independence in leading policy projects which respond to a range of I and IT issues across the OPS with consideration to the need to ensure policies consider the implications and impacts of the Government of Ontario's I and IT resources and address a range of issues in such areas as knowledge management, information management, intellectual property, information technology, electronic service delivery/channels and stakeholders needs. Judgement is exercised in monitoring and analyzing a wide range and diversity of information and information technology issues which are very high profile and include a diversity of interests which are competing and require judgement in negotiating and mediating resolutions to achieve cohesion to further policy making and to balance between serving/supporting ministry clients and in setting/monitoring corporate directions. Judgement is exercised in developing and nurturing stakeholder consultations and partnerships, which are critical to policy development and require exercise of tact, diplomacy and sensitivity to ensure sound cooperative efforts. Judgement is exercised in understanding the context in which policy issues arise and the opportunities and obstacles to defining an OPS wide policy to resolve these issues. Judgement is exercised in ensuring policies are consistent with government directions and in recognizing demands for more integration between policy and business planning/I&IT planning.

Accountability - Programs :

Responsible for providing project leadership for the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of government-wide information and information technology strategies and policies. Prepares briefing notes, correspondence and position papers for senior management and correspondence for the Minister, DM's, Corporate CIO's and senior officials' signature. Provides agenda management and secretariat support to a number of senior executive committees.

Accountability – Personnel :

Leads assigned project and/or work teams. Oversees planning of resources, and the assignment of project tasks. Monitors project progress, reviews work and takes appropriate steps to ensure standards are met by the team.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Develops and administers project budgets.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Ineffective policies and issues analysis would have an adverse impact on Ontario's ability to ensure compliance with sensitive privacy legislation as well as I and IT strategies in knowledge and information management resulting in criticism by stakeholders and media, loss of credibility with customers/stakeholders (both internal and external) and impact the ability of ministries to deliver their agendas.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with branch/division/ministry/cluster colleagues to provide project leadership, participation and policy expertise and issues analysis. Occasional contact with the Minister, Deputy Minister, and Corporate CIO to provide briefings. Regular contact with policy colleagues in other ministries by participating/leading ministry, inter-ministerial and inter-provincial committee to develop a coordinated approach to policy analysis and development.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with other jurisdictions, academic institutions, and consulting organizations to conduct research, analyze trends and best practices.