Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide strategic support and expert policy advice and development skills to the Director and Managers, Sector Competitiveness Branch. To lead a team of sector specialists and ensure that the Ministry, Branch and OPS business plan, agenda, goals and objectives are achieved successfully.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Under the general direction of the Director/Manager the incumbent is to exercise considerable initiative in improving economic development strategies by:

1. Leading the team of senior sector advisors and plan, co-ordinate, develop and recommend policies/programs/projects and to develop associated strategic plans as assigned.

2. Leading the provision of intelligence, information and advice on sector and economic development issues and trends in support of economic development activities across the Ontario Government.

3. Recommending and advising on approaches and identifying changes taking place that affect sector and economic development policies, programs or projects in Ontario.

4. Leading the development and maintenance of relationships with stakeholders; developing networks and partnerships in order to provide strategic advice to senior management on issues affecting the stakeholders; working with various stakeholders to reduce barriers to business activity, economic/sector development and resolve contentious issues.

5. Leading the co-operative development and execution of investment and export marketing initiatives for key companies and sectors, in conjunction with counterparts in other divisions and ministries.

6. Conducting complex research and analysis, as well as providing advice and recommendations; developing research methodology, identifying and obtaining data from a broad range of sources; analyzing complex data to identify key policy issues and recommend options.

7. Consulting across the ministry, government and external organizations to exchange information on sector trends, issues, policies and initiatives and develop in depth understanding of stakeholder positions on policy, program, project goals and initiatives.

8. Preparing reports and briefings, Cabinet Submissions, correspondence and recommending action to be taken the Government, correspondence and any other products required by the Minister or other senior ministry officials as required.

9. Representing the Ministry and/or Ontario Government at conferences, seminars, both internal and external, interministerial and intergovernmental meetings and forums, stakeholder consultations as requested by the manager.

10. Acquiring in depth knowledge and understanding of the sector development issues, implications for the Ontario government, business, labour and other interests and the impact on the relationship with other sector, policy or program issues.

Developing, negotiating, administrating, managing and evaluating programs and contracts; making recommendations on a broad range of policy, program and projects to senior management, external partners and various stakeholders.

Knowledge :

Job requires knowledge of sector development, economic theory, research methods and analytical techniques for conducting research initiatives by analyzing sectors, industries and companies strategic program and policy requirements, defining research goals, project methodology, plans and objectives.

Job requires knowledge of research design and project planning to design, develop and implement project plans and research projects.

Job requires in depth knowledge of economic programs, related legislative, regulatory, policy frameworks and government decision-making processes to analyze, develop, recommend and present strategies for changing programs, policies; co-ordinate and implement methods and plans; ensure recommendations are feasible within legislative or regulatory frameworks and the long term objectives, strategies and operational plans of program area.

Job requires knowledge of Federal telecommunications policy and regulatory issues, related processes, the role of Industry Canada and the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and the ability to understand and present Ontarios interests in this regard.

Job requires knowledge to co-ordinate, plan and lead projects and teams and to brief Ministry staff and senior executives such as Deputies and Ministers.

Job requires knowledge of sector and industry structure, sector development, major sector/industry stakeholders, industry/sector concerns and issues; sector/industry competitiveness issues and how economic development policies affect competitiveness of sector/industry; business practices, private sector business planning process, accounting practices, and marketing methodologies;

Job requires knowledge of Ontario, Canadian and international economies, economic theory, policy and program development and its affect on trade policy and relationships to conduct research and analysis of sector development issues and provide advice to clients and stakeholders on issues that affect Ontario.

Job requires knowledge and understanding of strategic planning concepts and processes; developing benchmarking methodologies to provide comparative analysis of business conditions, government programs and practices against other jurisdictions.
Job requires knowledge and ability to use a computer and various software programs such as word processing, spreadsheet, database and presentation to write, present and search information and sources as required.

Judgement :

Position works under the general direction of the Director/Manager to lead a team of sector advisors and within the broad framework of the legislative process, the government agenda and branch mission and mandate. Position is expected to work independently or to lead in a team environment, which faces new challenges and directions for the development of an enabling environment developing strategies and programs which are innovative and maximize sustained economic development in Ontario. Judgement is exercised in managing relationships with senior provincial/private sector officials, identifying priority issues, monitoring social economic and political trends to determine impact on provincial policies and in developing policy options. Position exercises judgment in considering the demands of key stakeholders and preparing confidential materials that may be politically sensitive.

Accountability - Programs :

Program: Responsible for participating on major policy development projects as a team leader or a special project manager. Makes policy recommendations, develops policy options, prepares Cabinet submissions and participates in the issue management process for the branch.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

poor judgment in providing policy options or issues management responsibilities would seriously affect the ministry's ability to ensure the government's economic development agenda is met and undermine the credibility of the governments economic development strategy.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with branch and division management and staff to coordinate responses to issues, participate on projects. Regular contacts with counterparts in other ministries establish and exchange information.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with senior sector and business stakeholders, counterparts in other jurisdictions (municipal, provincial and federal) to develop consultative mechanisms, discuss issues of mutual concern; with client groups and stakeholders to research information and participate in partnerships ensuring Ontarios position, perspective and interests are being presented and/or represented.