Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide advice and recommendations to senior management, the Deputy Minister, Minister and government on a range of employment and labour relations issues to promote diversity and inclusion in the ministry.

To plan, coordinate and consult with areas of corporate policy development, communications, program delivery and business specialists on the planning, developing and implementing of strategic anti-racism initiatives for the ministry.

To build and maintain relationships with intra/inter-ministry partners and external stakeholders. i.e. the Anti-Racism Directorate.

To plan for and manage the workload of all assigned branch files, ministry projects and other government initiatives.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Plans, conducts and provides coordination for a range of policy analysis, development and review projects. Evaluates policy and program proposals, internal practices and processes and provides recommendations for senior management approval.
2. Conducts policy research/analysis, environmental/jurisdictional scans, needs assessments and project work to identify relevant trends/issues related to anti-racism, inclusion, diversity and other workplace issues in the public and broader public sector of the province., including policy issues. Documents research results, analyzes impacts and provides analysis and summaries for senior staff.
3. Develops action plans and works on solutions to identified issues, creates policy and program options and conducts comparative analyses related to anti-racism, diversity and inclusion. Determines the most effective policy options, supports the preparation and presentation of policy recommendations including attending briefing sessions and meetings with senior management and political staff.
4. Prepares and supports the development of policy papers, issue review papers, research papers, presentation materials, cabinet committee submissions, correspondence, briefing documents, meeting notes, memoranda and other documents within the ministry. Ensures the effective framing and communication of issues for subject matter expert consultations (e.g. legal, communications) and decision makers.
5. Assesses and prepares analyses on intra/inter-ministry and other jurisdictional policy proposals, and on emerging jurisprudence to identify the impact on ministry objectives related to diversity and inclusion. Ensures the accuracy of information.
6. Supports process and policy/program consultations across the Ontario Public Service(OPS), with other jurisdictions and with external organizations by attending briefings and meetings; produces materials including accurate meeting notes and responses to research requests to support the identification of issues, to facilitate effective links between policy development/research projects, to identify and discuss issues and potential stakeholder impacts, to resolve differences/build consensus and to provide recommendations.
7. Develops and implements communications/implementation plans and processes for the dissemination of corporate direction to ministry staff. Participates in the development and delivery of information and education programs/materials.
8. Coordinates process and policy/program consultations across the OPS with other jurisdictions and with external organizations to identify, address and remove systemic barriers, and to facilitate effective links between policy development/ research projects and business delivery activities.
9. Supports and/or participates in corporate projects related to change initiatives across the OPS, including analyzing problems/issues, coordinating cross-divisional and inter-ministry participation, supporting the oversight of the project implementation and monitoring project quality standards.
10. Identifies and manages contentious issues that require proactive/remedial action. Works proactively with senior staff and managers in the provision of expert consultation, strategic advice, issues coordination and communications materials.
11. Supports the development of responses to information requests from the offices of the Premier, Cabinet, Minister and Deputy Minister and other senior executives and political staff. Recommends best approach/method to communicate/present information/advice based upon knowledge of organization and varying perspectives.
12. Provides advice and assistance to other policy advisors and staff when participating in/coordinating joint projects and assignments.

Factors :

Knowledge :

Quantitative/qualitative research methods including environmental scans to conduct research and analyses of trends, gaps and issues, to direct the evaluation of best practices, options, costs and impacts, and to provide specialized advice and expertise to senior management on program strategies/development.

Human Resource theory, principles and practices pertaining to anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, including WDHP, succession planning, talent management, policy development and implementation, change management strategies to identify systemic barriers, propose changes and to promote diversity and inclusion.

Relevant legislation with a detailed understanding of labour and employment law applicable to the private, public and broader public sectors, to develop and interpret policy, analyze practices/processes and provide advice with respect to required changes.

Strategic objectives of the ministry and government operations to ensure submissions support ministry and government directions and mandate.

Environmental factors which impact the policy development/review process (e.g. economic, political, social, legal, institutional/organizational).

Policy/legislative/regulatory development process, methods and techniques to develop options and support the coordination of a range of files related to the employment and labour relations environment in the ministry.

Ministry and government legislative and political decision-making processes, ministry/branch directions, mandate, legislation and existing policy and program frameworks, social, political, fiscal and governance factors, including the range of stakeholder interests, to: evaluate and address arising program issues; and inform the development of options for policy and program strategies/development.

Political acuity/knowledge of the reasons for ongoing organizational behaviour, or the underlying problems, opportunities or political forces affecting the organization, (e.g., current social trends, demographic changes, union policies, national or historical issues that affect opportunities, ongoing litigation) to develop relevant strategies.

Project management principles, methodologies and best practices to participate in policy and research projects.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for the accuracy, quality and timeliness of research, analysis, advice and support to senior management/officials in addressing sensitive issues in the areas of anti-racism, labour relations, employment rights and other workplace issues.

Responsible for providing expertise and advice on ministry policy proposals including the development/review of submissions for the identification, research and analysis of potential strategies, issues and gaps, and for discussions with ministry staff, senior management, and political staff, to advise on and resolve key issues and concerns.

Responsible for developing options to issues identified by branch/senior management/officials, creates options, and conducts comparative analysis related to financial and business impacts.

Responsible for providing advice respecting the development of strategic, anti-racism organizational issues, and issues that directly affect the terms and conditions of OPS staff.

Analytical Thinking :

Conducts research, assembles and analyzes data and information to interpret and identify emerging trends, new developments, best practices and the impact of policy options to form and provide advice/recommendations to senior management on emerging issues/opportunities and to integrate ministry, cross-ministry and other jurisdictional interests.

Identifies and analyzes ministry policy matters that include the impact on labour relations, employment rights and other workplace issues in the ministry, including policy issues that directly affect bargaining employees' working conditions.

Assesses emerging socio-economic and political issues, trends and best practices to provide advice and interpretation to senior management and political staff.

Assesses stakeholders' needs and develops innovative ideas to create more value for ministry by being prepared to look beyond the data for solutions. Generates varied solutions to the situation at hand and understands the strategic implications of new ideas.

Planning / Coordinating :

Manages inter-ministry and external stakeholder projects, develops/recommends project goals, parameters, resources and deliverables; assigns project tasks; monitors progress and reviews work for quality outcomes and deadlines.

Coordinates consultations with internal/external stakeholders across the OPS and the public to promote ministry policies or solicit feedback on new initiatives to support the ministry policy agenda and mandate.

Coordinates research and analytical activities with peers and policy colleagues.

Leadership/Guidance :

Provides technical expertise and assistance to other policy advisors and staff within the ministry and with ministry partners when participating in/coordinating joint projects and assignments on matters related to anti-racism and other workplace issues including policy issues that directly affect the terms and conditions for employees in the public and broader public sector.

Leads or supports all assigned branch files and monitors news related to branch files.

Independence of Action :

Work is performed under the general supervision of the manager and within the parameters of the broad framework of relevant legislation, regulations, policies, procedures, and best practices.

Independently leads, plans and coordinates own activities in conjunction with project teams and other ministry partners while managing project timelines and resource needs.

Determines best approach/method to communicate/present information/advice based upon political acuity, knowledge of organization and varying perspectives of audience.

Researches and analyzes a broad range of policy issues and trends, determines the key components of complex issues and participates in the development of recommendations for policy development.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Translates technical material into a format that is understood by a non-technical audience to ensure clarity and understanding of content; prepares and presents complex policy and program information, issues/risks analysis and briefing papers to senior management and stakeholders; influences recommendations to advance the ministry's priorities.

Works with ministry staff to share information and provide advice/guidance on matters related to diversity, inclusion and other workplace issues including policy issues that directly affect the terms and conditions for employees in the public and broader public sector.

Provides advice on policy issues and makes presentations/recommendations to senior OPS management, agency staff, other governments and external stakeholders.

Identifies partners' different viewpoints, true interests and opportunities for collaboration. Works cooperatively with all partners to meet mutual goals. Appreciates, understands and utilizes the power of relationships, both formal and informal, as it relates to the formal political structure of the government and to understand climate and culture.

Political acuity to develop consultation/collaboration and consensus building strategies; to identify partners' true interests/opportunities for collaboration and work cooperatively with all partners to meet mutual goals.

Facilitates inter-ministry/inter-governmental working groups/project teams mandated to review/discuss labour policy and program issues.

Physical Effort :

Most of the time is spent in an office environment with frequent opportunity to move about. Periods of extended sitting or standing. Occasionally moves/lifts light objects. Transports and sets up equipment for offsite stakeholder consultations.

Sensory Effort :

Attention and concentration is required to manage changing priorities, often with limited control over the pace of the work, and to deal with frequent interruptions while ensuring the quality and timeliness of work.

Requires visual attention and concentration to manage research initiatives to meet strategic objectives and timelines for delivery; to review detailed research outcomes; and to provide guidance to project team members.

Concentrated effort is required during consultations, to listen to feedback and to ensure issues/information has been understood and communicated.

Ability to manage workload despite frequent interruptions.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.

Frequent local travel for external and internal stakeholder and partner consultations.