Join the team shaping and delivering the future of early learning and child care in Ontario.We're looking for talented professionals who can think strategically and execute effectively. Whether you excel at high level policy development or bring strength in operational problem solving, you'll play a key role in advancing the Canada Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system. In the Early Years Branch you will work with a team of professionals to support the CWELCC and other programming and policy related to a broad range of early education (Before and After school, EarlyON, etc.). This is your opportunity to influence major social policy, support partners across the sector, and help build a more accessible and sustainable child care system for families across the province.
As a Program & Policy Analyst - you'll help turn policy into action by supporting CWELCC's day to day operations. You'll troubleshoot implementation issues, work closely with partners, and ensure programs run smoothly and effectively for families and providers.
About the job
You will work closely with colleagues to develop and implement early learning and child care programs and initiatives in Ontario by:
• lead or support the development of policy, program, and implementation frameworks for early years and child care services, from research and analysis through to options, recommendations, and planning
• analyse trends, data, financial implications, and service delivery models to inform evidence-based decision-making, including costing scenarios, funding models, and performance measures.
• identify and problem-solve policy and program issues by assessing impacts, risks, and implementation considerations, and developing solutions that balance strategic direction with on-the-ground realities.
• prepare policy and operational issues-management materials, such as briefing notes, policy papers, correspondence, and presentations
• developing and maintaining ongoing consultation with colleagues in the unit, branch, division, ministry, other ministries and key external stakeholders
What you bring to the team
Program and Policy Development Skills
You have:
• knowledge of operational policy development processes, techniques and decision-making processes.
• experience leading or contributing to the analysis, design, development and implementation of programs, strategies and/or policy initiatives.
• knowledge of program analysis/evaluation techniques to assess the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs and to provide recommendations on policy and program change.
• ability to assess cross jurisdictional implications and incorporate intergovernmental considerations into policy and program option
Project Management and Financial Knowledge
You have:
• project management skills to organize and lead project teams and working groups.
• knowledge of financial decision-making, allocation and accounting principles to develop plans for financial resource distribution and monitor implementation.
• ability to support financial modelling and costing scenarios to assess program impacts, funding approaches, and accountability requirements.
Communication and Consultation Skills
You have:
• consultation, relationship management and partnership-building skills to establish key stakeholder linkages across various jurisdictions, gain stakeholder support for initiatives and mediate/resolve issues.
• oral communication and presentation skills to articulate policy advice and recommendations as well as diplomatically present the ministry/provincial position on sensitive socio-political issues.
• written communication to respond prepare a variety of written materials such as reports, options papers, briefing materials and correspondence.
Analytical and Research Skills
You have:
• analytical and problem-solving skills to evaluate qualitative and quantitative information, identify issues and make recommendations to mitigate risk.
• research skills to plan, design and undertake cross-sectoral research studies.
• ability to interpret and apply financial, statistical and performance data to inform policy and program recommendations
Don't meet every qualification?
If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.
Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's
Human Rights Code and the
Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer
accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please
contact us.Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace: