Job Specification

Purpose :

To lead major transportation policy projects, in support of Ministry and Government policy and program issues related
to transit, passenger, goods movement and sustainable transportation.
To provide strategic advice and consultative services regarding transportation policy issues to Ministry senior
management and senior officials as well as client ministries.

Key Responsibilities :

Project Management
Leads and coordinates policy and planning projects involving multi-faceted research and development of policy options and proposals, and initiatives related to transportation; assesses impact on Ministry.
Provides leadership, direction and guidance to cross-divisional and inter-governmental project teams in the development of the charter, framework and work plan for policy projects and studies. Estimates project resources and prepares cost analysis.
Ensures integration of activities; monitors and reports on progress, and ensures timely completion of deliverables.
Obtains, deploys and monitors the work of project team staff and external service providers. Identifies, manages and resolves major problems and issues.
Develops and recommends implementation options.

Consultation and Relationship Management
Designs and implements stakeholder consultations to inform on policy development.
Provides strategic and tactical advice to senior management and senior officials on policy development, including alternatives and issues. Provides information regarding key policy decisions of government policy committees.
Promotes the development of new relationships and partnerships, and acts as key liaison with other divisions, ministries, jurisdictions and external stakeholders to establish a network for policy consultations and exchange of information, including key decisions that could have Ministry impact.
Provides strategic advice to internal and external partners on ministry policy and initiatives; coordinates joint initiatives, presenting Ministry position and negotiating agreement/consensus.

Issues Management
Analyzes and evaluates sensitive policy and program issues related to transportation and recommends adjustment strategies and plans to address changing Ministry/Government directions.
Policy Evaluation and SupportChairs and/or represents the Ministry on inter-ministerial and jurisdictional committees and task forces to assess and develop policy recommendations.
Identifies trends, developments and best practices in policy development related to transportation and environmental issues, and evaluates their applicability for Ministry policy and planning initiatives.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
Relevant federal, provincial and municipal government structure; transportation issues and their relationship to the environment and Ontario's economy to plan and lead policy and planning projects focused on the development of policy options and proposals, and initiatives related to transportation;
Economic theory and principles; government policies and programs; and OPS/Ministry policy development process to promote Government/Ministry agenda, objectives and policies related to transportation and environmental sustainability;
Linkages between economic, environmental and transportation policy issues and of the public context in which decisions are made to analyze and evaluate policy issues and their impact on the Ministry;
Research and analytical methods and techniques to lead the development of recommendations related to the formulation of effective transportation policies; to assess the impact of proposed policy options; and to perform business case analysis;
Leadership skills to provide direction and guidance to project staff and external service providers;
Oral communication skills to present material in briefings and make presentations;
Written communication skills to develop, or oversee the development of, presentations, briefings, reports, correspondence on behalf of Ministry senior officials; and to contribute to Cabinet submissions;
Applicable software applications and computer modelling to undertake research and analysis.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Relationship management and facilitation skills to establish effective working relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, and contacts in other divisions, ministries and jurisdictions;
Consultation and advisory skills to provide advice to senior management, senior officials, and internal and external partners on policy development and related issues; Negotiating and influencing skills to negotiate consensus/agreement related to Ministry position on policy.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical and problem solving skills to:
Identify and analyze internal and external environmental factors and the implications of policy proposals on the Ministry;
Conceptualize, plan and lead major policy and planning projects, and develop and refine policies;
Provide analysis, develop strategies and options, and make recommendations to senior officials on sensitive policy and program issues;
Ensure that information provided to Divisional management and senior officials is consistent with Government policy objectives and direction;
Evaluate the applicability of external trends and best practices in policy development.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
Leading and coordinating major transportation policy and planning projects, including research and development of policy options and proposals, and assessing impact on the Ministry;
Providing strategic advice and consultation regarding transportation policy issues to Ministry senior management,senior officials, client ministries and external partners;
Acting as key liaison with other divisions, ministries, jurisdictions and external clients/stakeholders to establish and maintain a policy consultation network; and to design stakeholder consultation processes;
Evaluating sensitive policy and program issues related to transportation and recommending adjustment strategies and plans to address changing Ministry/Government directions.
Has latitude to: estimate and recommend project resources; to conduct project cost analysis and risk assessment; to develop responses to stakeholder enquiries; and to negotiate, or participate in negotiating, Ministry policy agreements.
Decisions are guided by relevant Provincial and Ministry strategic policy agenda and directions; applicable policies processes, guidelines and directives; and legislative authorities.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Divisional management, Ministry senior officials and staff to provide advice; to provide briefings; to exchange information; and to discuss policy issues and project status;
Senior management and senior officials in other ministries to provide information, explanations and advice regarding issues related to assigned policy field; and to obtain information;
External experts, transportation sector stakeholders, and other provincial and federal officials to exchange information; and to discuss issues related to assigned policy field and fiscal planning issues.

Guidance / Supervision :

Provides leadership, direction and technical guidance to Ministry and cross-ministry project team members.
Provides advice to senior management and senior officials on policy development issues and related matters.
Provides strategic advice to internal and external partners on Ministry policy and initiatives.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Frequently required to respond to requests and brief management/senior management on short notice.
Frequently encounters tight deadlines and conflicting work priority changes for briefing materials and Cabinet
submissions.

Mental / Sensory :

Frequently required to research and read detailed policy/legislative documents and reports; and to perform in-depth analysis and evaluation of proposals, legislative changes, best practices and other documentation.
Occasional requirement to observe stakeholder reactions when conducting/participating in consultations.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in an office environment.