Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide input into the taxation policy development process, including its quantitative elements. To research, analyze and develop corporate tax policy, including tax policy on new investment, job creation, corporate behaviour and industrial restructuring/organization, tax expenditures and options to reduce tax complexity and compliance and administration costs. To assist in developing a comprehensive vision and strategic plan for corporate tax reform/restructuring, estimating fiscal and economic impacts, etc. To plan and organize work in these areas and other areas of responsibility, to prepare briefing notes and presentations, to brief senior management and the Minister/Cabinet and to bring the work to successful completion.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1. Tax Policy Research and Analysis:
With general guidance and some direction from the Senior Budget Advisor/manager, supports the strategic development and analysis of corporate tax policy formulation, primarily through the following:
•reviews, summarizes and analyses literature, studies, reports, briefing notes and internal and external policy papers, submissions, etc.;
-identifies, analyses and understands relevant aspects of: the tax structure/system (e.g. policy, principles, legislation, regulation, etc.) for federal and Ontario corporate taxes (e.g. corporate income, capital, corporate minimum, etc. ) revenue statistics (historical, current and projected), tax competitiveness, concerns of affected groups/sectors, policy consistency over time, and corporate tax experience in other jurisdictions;
-identifies, collects, develops, programs, verifies and analyses available data (Statistics Canada, Revenue Canada, Ontario Tax Administration, US Treasury, OECD, line ministries, etc.) in supporting policy analysis;
-identifies strategic and emerging issues and opportunities;
-liaises with federal and provincial counterparts, line ministries, interest groups, government agencies to discuss tax policy;
-develops strategies and policy options for review and consideration; and
-documents research, sources of data and analysis, including detailed audit sheets to

support estimates.
2 . Issue Management/Policy Development:
With general guidance and some direction from the Senior Budget Advisor/Manager: -develops written work plans and timelines that set out procedures for research, analysis, consultation, opportunities for status reports/product review, and an action plan for completion;
-prepares presentations, briefing notes, contentious issue notes, Ministry letters, policy papers, news releases, budget papers and public consultations papers, communication strategies, etc.;
-briefs Senior Budget Advisor/Manager, Director, ADM, Deputy and Minister, Cabinet office as appropriate on specific policy issues;
•identifies and incorporates all relevant aspects into the policy development process, including level of approval required and need for follow-up action, legal considerations, communications strategy, input from other Branch staff, areas of the Ministry and government;
-documents approvals and feedback, including direction from senior management, the Minister and Cabinet;
-ensures finished product meets high quality control standards and deadlines as well as conveys message in a clear, understandable fashion, and Senior Budget Advisor/Manager is informed well in advance of reasons for changes in timetable/deliverables;
-identifies and anticipates emerging issues for the section, branch, division, ministry and government, and advises Senior Budget Advisor/Manager accordingly;
-builds, maintains and up-dates corporate tax databases, programs and models, and ensures that electronic files, databases, tax returns and office and central files are well organized, secured (i.e. fully and completely protected from unauthorized access), complete, accessible and up-to-date; and
-effectively manages several urgent and high priority issues at the same time.
3.Team Participation/Leadership:
With general guidance and some direction from the Senior Budget Advisor/Manager: -acts as an active and participatory team member on group projects, including being a self-starter and taking initiative, coordinating with others, participating in groups discussions, drafting sections of the report, working to team deadlines, etc.;
-when requested, supervises students and unclassified and junior staff on research projects - explains objectives of project and gives context, policy direction, instructions and organizes material into usable products;
as team/project leader, sets work plan, project objectives, individual responsibilities, follow-up action, and edits material to ensure quality control;
-fosters greater team building and creative synergies by encouraging new ideas and open and frank discussions; and
-readily exchanges relevant information and ideas with colleagues in the section, branch and ministry, when and where appropriate.
4. Communication Responsibilities:
With general guidance and some direction from the Senior Budget Advisor/Manager: -writes briefing material, speeches, correspondence, research findings, minutes of meetings, news releases, budget papers, technical policy papers, etc. in a clear, concise and well-organized manner, and according to prescribed formats;
-targets written material to take into account audience by determining the appropriate level of technical detail and the tone of material;
-delivers oral presentations (formal presentations and informal discussions) in a clear

and straightforward manner that is understandable to the audience; and
from time to time, deals with questions from the public/press in area of responsibility in a confident and competent manner.
5.Division/Ministry Activities:
•Strategically develops and maintains linkages between taxation issues and other issues on the provincial agenda.
-Consults with other staff in Finance and in other ministries on relevant issues and projects.
•Provides advice on and/or, initiates appropriate contacts within and outside the Ontario government.
•From time to time, provides support to Section/Branch/Division/Ministry production/projects, such as coordinating the production of briefing books, budget papers, arranging logistical aspects of intergovernmental meetings, contentious issue notes, etc.
•As branch representative, participates in, and leads as requested, meetings or work teams with other ministries and governments.

Knowledge :

Academic training in economics, quantitative techniques, public finance or comparable
discipline. Broad knowledge and experience in a range of policy areas. In-depth knowledge and experience in statistical and quantitative methods, including superior conceptual and analytical skills. In-depth knowledge of personal computers and computer applications. Broad knowledge of government structure, policy processes and
policy direction. Ability to plan and carry out projects to deadlines and to supervise students and unclassified and junior staff as required. Excellent oral/written skills to
effectively convey results of analysis and proposed strategies and options. Solid interpersonal and team building skills.

Judgement :

Work is carried out under the direction of the Senior Budget Advisor/Manager, who may provide some direction in establishing terms of reference, policy direction and timelines.
Judgment is exercised in determining and applying research techniques, setting priorities, developing significant factors involved in a project, providing and presenting analysis, options and recommendations, and ensuring deadlines are met. Ensures that briefing material, correspondence, etc. correctly and clearly conveys prevailing government policy. Exercises discretion and judgment in exchanging information with contacts in other ministries and governments.

Accountability - Programs :

Working to deadlines and deliverables, is directly accountable and responsible for the accuracy and quality of recommendations, analysis, correspondence concerning the fiscal and/or policy impact of existing and proposed tax rate, base and tax expenditure provisions, and for expenditure program proposals/provisions that substitute for/complement tax provisions. Areas of coverage include a program or programs:

-falling within the responsibilities of the Ministry of Finance -of other Ontario government ministries, and/or
-of the Government of Canada

Accountability – Personnel :

Coordinates and leads project teams composed of individuals from other sections, branches and divisions. May supervise students or unclassified staff as assigned. Ensures accuracy and consistency of staff research, analysis and policy advice.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

N/A

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Recognized throughout the ministry as an expert in corporate tax policy and modeling. High quality advice and analysis can lead to increased economic growth and job creation and reduced administration and compliance costs. Errors in interpretation, judgment, analysis and recommendations could lead to poor decisions, loss of branch credibility, breach of information security, embarrassment to the Minister.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with staff in other sections, branches and ministries to obtain/exchange information to enhance expert advice in policy responsibilities and to establish linkages to other issues.

Contact - External :

When requested, general contact with public, media, consultants, other governments
and corporate officials in private sector to provide/obtain information/collect data. Federal government/other governments: Regular contact with federal government and
other provinces to exchange information, ideas, research and when appropriate confidential information (under appropriate information exchange agreements). May represent Ontario at federal/provincial meetings and public consultations.