Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide research, program/financial analysis and data collection, to support the Branch in the management of eHealth accountability for delivery of the eHealth agenda in the Province.

To support liaison with internal/external stakeholders on accountability, financial and performance issues.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Program Research and Analysis

- Undertakes research and analysis to support the Branch eHealth program priorities; drafts content pieces for the development of operational policies, program guidelines, protocols/processes, funding agreement templates, tools and communication materials.

- Provides program evaluation support including: participating in reviews and assessments, results reporting, trends analysis and drafting of recommendations for alternatives and program improvements.

- In a team context, reviews/assesses government/ministry eHealth strategic directions, existing agreements, available templates, government accountability requirements and fiscal guidelines in order to assist in the development of performance measures and risk assessment techniques to achieve desired results.

- Provides analysis and support for eHealth input into financial processes by identifying approved plan and budget for each partner, reviewing program financial expenditures/projection and trending for program financial requirements, financial transactions/requests for in-year budget changes in order to ensure that changes are reflected in payment schedules.

2. Program Administration

- Assists in the preparation of reports, supporting documentation and /or communication materials, briefing notes and other materials to support management decision making; prepares reports on findings of financial/ non-financial impacts on existing business/financial activities and develops recommendation/revision to policies/procedures

- Monitors, updates and reports on risks based on Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet submissions, quarterly financial and performance reporting, results based and infrastructure plan submissions and new/ changing agreements.

- Provides response to general/routine inquiries, complaints and request for information on operational policies,
protocols, procedures, processes; provides background research, information and drafts responses and presentations to issues received from stakeholders, general public and the media.

3. Stakeholder Relations

- Develops/maintains working relationships with colleagues, eHealth agencies and external stakeholders and
participates in projects; liaises with central agencies(Treasury Board/Ministry of Finance, OCCIO, MGS, MEI) to discuss/address issues associated with performance measures and components of submissions( Quarterly Reporting, Progress Reports)

- Participates on/represents the branch on inter/intra ministry committees, projects stakeholder committees and cross functional working groups.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skills in:
- Ontario healthcare system, health systems management, and healthcare delivery program operations to undertake or participate on projects related to implementation of health service initiatives, and to work in consultation with internal and external partners in the delivery of eHealth programs and initiatives.
- Program analysis/evaluation techniques to develop new or revised program/service operational design and plan alternatives and recommendations, to review analysis, measurement baselines, and initial performance results with management/staff of the ministry team/branch or external health service organization, and assess and provide recommendations on policy and program change.
- Provincial and ministry strategic directions and key objectives pertaining to health service/delivery, relevant legislation, the Branch mandate and direction, government/ministry planning and decision-making processes, stewardship models of service/program delivery, funding, governance, and critical issues impacting the health sector, to identify key issues and recommend options, to conduct or participate on consultations, and to work with internal / external stakeholders on projects/ programs.
- Research and project planning methods/techniques to conduct research and participate in planning and
implementation to support Unit project eHealth initiatives and informed decision making.
- Planning, organizational and coordination skills to provide a range of support services for multiple concurrent
projects/initiatives and to effectively set priorities and meet project task deadlines.
- Oral and written communications skills to draft/write reports, submissions, communications materials, response to request for information, exchange information/consult with internal and external contacts on program priorities.
- Computer operation skills, standard software programs and tools to prepare reports, presentations and conduct research and analysis.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

- Presentation skills to provide research findings/reports/analyses to senior staff on program / project initiatives.
- Consultation, persuasion and advisory skills to establish and maintain stakeholder liaison processes, to provide recommendations to management on issues/solutions, and to develop/review accountability agreements with stakeholders.
- Relationship management and conflict resolution skills to work cooperatively as part of project teams in identifying potential issues and problems and contribute to the formulation of solutions.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem solving skills to:
- Conduct analysis and assessment of accountability management, financial and agreement change issues impacting operational policies, protocols, guidelines, templates processes and best practices
- Develop information gathering techniques, synthesize health data and evidence based research to support analysis of unit project eHealth initiatives and decision making.
- Develop new or revised program/service operational design, identify and recommend alternative solutions to
performance and funding problems.
- Analyze performance results relative to expectations and assess client needs in order to provide appropriate
advice/communication tools /training and support.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
- Providing research, analysis and drafting content of operational policies, program guidelines, protocols, processes, procedures, funding agreement templates, tools and communication materials in support of accountability agreements
- Conducting financial analysis; assisting programs/agencies in development and reporting performance measures, associated risks/mitigation and providing options for resolving submission/funding issues.
Has latitude to: determine research approaches/techniques, identify issues and risks, and to recommend options to submission issues.
Decisions are guided by legislation, government/ministry directions, policy/guidelines, commitments and priorities re-accountability agreement/service management.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

- Ministry/division/branch management to provide research and data findings, support the development of operational policies, protocols, guidelines /best practices, participate in project planning processes related to assigned project initiatives, to provide information and recommendations related to identified project issues and findings.
- Colleagues in other ministries to gather data, work collaboratively on issues/projects and remain current on eHealth initiatives
- External stakeholders/partners, (eHealth Ontario, other eHealth agencies, and Canada Health Infoway) to respond to inquiries/requests regarding interpretation/application of fiscal guidelines, government accountability requirements, conduct research and gather data.

Guidance / Supervision :

- Provides advice and information to other ministry staff on the interpretation and application of policy/guidelines and accountability requirements.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

- Required to respond to requests for information on short notice and to tight time lines and to set/reset priorities based on urgent needs of clients and stakeholders.

Mental / Sensory :

- Frequently required to read without interruption, to draft communication materials / briefing materials.
- Frequently require periods of concentration to conduct/listen/observe at committee meetings.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.