Make an impact at the Ministry of Indigenous Affairs (IAO) where we are working together with Indigenous partners towards a better future for the more than 300,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit people living in Ontario. As Director of the Strategic Planning and Economic Policy Branch you will work with Indigenous partners on a range of policy issues to improve the quality of life and expand economic opportunities for all Indigenous peoples across the province. Specifically, by leading the development and delivery of strategic economic, lands and resource-based Indigenous policy and working with partner ministries on sector-based strategies and initiatives you will play a key role in supporting reconciliation with and improving outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Ontario.
An effective leader in the Ontario Public Service (OPS) is responsible, innovative and collaborative. A responsible leader demonstrates authenticity, accountability and courage in how they interact with others. An innovative leader leads with common purpose, embraces positive disruption, and has a future mindset. A collaborative leader focuses on helping others to grow, drives people-centered outcomes and promotes an environment of inclusivity; this leader works to confront bias and systemic barriers while understanding the importance of creating a more diverse and accessible workplace.
Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility and Anti-RacismThe OPS is an innovative, responsive, and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable. Diversifying leadership teams is a top OPS priority with the goal to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most underrepresented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) in leadership positions. To advance this goal, the OPS is collecting socio-demographic information that will help to address potential barriers and achieve equity in hiring.
You are invited to complete the
voluntary survey and contribute to building a more diverse, inclusive and accessible OPS. If you have completed the survey since September 28th, 2020, you do not need to complete it again unless you would like to change your responses or consent.
The OPS is an accessible employer and offers accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, diversity and inclusion.
What can I expect to do in this role?
Reporting directly to the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy and Planning Division, you will lead and direct the development of government-wide strategic plans and policies, which frame, reflect and support the Ontario government's agenda with respect to Indigenous affairs. You will also:
• Provide planning and policy advice to ministries on Indigenous economic, lands and resource matters and identify opportunities for policy and program improvements - assessing other ministries' policies for possible impacts on Indigenous communities and alignment with the government's Indigenous priorities and providing advice on how their proposals can strengthen relationships with and outcomes for Indigenous partners.
• Coordinate and support the development of provincial Indigenous economic initiatives to increase economic opportunities, business partnerships and sustainability for Indigenous peoples working with other provincial ministries, Indigenous partners, industry, and the federal government to coordinate Indigenous economic development initiatives and increase business partnerships.
• Direct and coordinate the implementation of corporate plans and policies, ensuring policy implementation is appropriately integrated with ministries' programs, services and initiatives.
• Support the forecasting, planning, prioritization, coordinating and delivery of the Ministry's policy agenda.
• Lead and coordinate IAO Cabinet submissions on strategic and key economic and lands resources initiatives and ministry's strategic direction and undertakes critical analysis of other Ontario provincial ministries policy and cabinet submissions, providing advice to ministries and Senior Management at IAO.
• Direct/oversee the planning, design, and implementation of policy needs identification, policy evaluations, research studies and analyses related to the agenda of IAO to inform the policy, operational and strategic activities of IAO.
• Provide leadership for the building of strong linkages to support and coordinate policy development by ensuring consultation processes and partnerships are developed and maintained with colleagues in the division, other ministry divisions, other ministries and levels of government, and with key internal and external stakeholders and partners.
• Provide consultation and advisory services to inter-ministerial and inter-governmental groups and external groups on, e.g., policy coordination/integration and related issues management.
• Provide leadership and direction to all Branch activities by developing and implementing a functioning integrated management strategy; providing expertise in corporate strategic policy and plan design and development; directing, mentoring team leads and staff; project planning and developing an evaluation plan for significant activities and deliverables.
• Direct Branch financial and human resources including selecting and hiring staff, providing orientation, mandatory and developmental training and opportunities, mentoring, determining and ensuring the branch meets its own performance standards and IAO/OPS mandatory standards, conducting performance reviews, and handling a broad range of employee relations matters;
• Develop and manages the Branch budget and operating plans, aligning with divisional and Ministry budgets and plans; accountability for the transfer payment (TP) programs run through the Branch.
• Provide strategic information and advice to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy and Minister on economic policy and strategic planning issues, challenges and opportunities.
• Brief the Minister, Deputy and Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADM), on an ongoing basis regarding projects' status and progress towards response, issues/problems, their implications and options/recommendations for resolution; preparation for Minister's/others' site visits to Indigenous communities and meetings with key stakeholders including First Nations, Métis and Indigenous organizations, other ministries and other levels of government including federal.
• Represent the branch/division/ministry by leading and/or participating on corporate and special projects, task forces, policy forums and working groups both within and outside the OPS.
How do I qualify?
Leadership
• You have experience as a senior leader responsible for the design and delivery of complex public policy.
• You have exceptional leaderships skills, based on a foundation of collaboration, inclusion, mentoring and customer service.
• You have the ability to apply important Indigenous affairs issues and context to policy issues and include these contextual matters as a part of the decision-making process.
• You have experience managing the human resources, finance and administrative functions of a work unit.
Technical Skills
• You contribute to the transformation and modernization of Indigenous Affairs policy operations through the alignment of programs and services and by providing guidance on policy decisions.
• You have experience with and understand Indigenous networks and communities, structures and political issues impacting indigenous peoples and communities in Ontario.
Stakeholder Management
• You demonstrate strong relationship management skills to develop meaningful and collaborative relationships with internal and external partners, Indigenous partners, including First Nations, Métis, and Indigenous organizations, as well as other branches /divisions /ministries.
• You are able to represent the division by leading corporate and special projects, task forces and committees, both within and outside the OPS.
• You have proven ability to manage external stakeholder relationships, focusing on building consensus to resolve issues.
• You have experience fostering positive horizontal relationships across the organization to facilitate transformation in program and service delivery.
• You have demonstrated negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Communications/Political Acuity
• You have superior communication skills and have led briefings and provided strategic advice to senior executives.
• You have led consultations with internal and external partners.
• You have superior judgement and negotiation skills and have managed complex and contentious issues with tact and discretion.
• You have the ability to deliver clear, concise and strategic advice to senior leaders and political officials.
• You have strong communication and presentation skills necessary to build credibility with business partners and represent the ministry in public settings.
