Job Specification

Purpose :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

To provide policy and project leadership, advice and expertise in the research, analysis, design, development, implementation and evaluation of policies and programs that meet strategic education objectives and promote education quality, system access and accountability.

Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

To provide project leadership and expertise in the planning, development, and implementation of policies, programs, action plans and evaluation frameworks to increase parent involvement in education.

To provide specialized advice, consultation and policy expertise to senior management and provincial stakeholders on policy recommendations, implementation strategies, and issues management.

Key Responsibilities :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

1. Policy/Program Development and Evaluation
-Leads and/or participates in the development of policy and program framework designs that address issues of quality, access and financing of education and assesses policy and planning needs with respect to provincial education system programs and funding delivery from a quality assurance and financial perspective.
Recommends to senior management the approval of new policies and programs.
-Undertakes all aspects of policy and program development, delivery and evaluation, from research and analysis of trends and directions, issue identification and management, stakeholder consultations, impact analysis, development of options and recommendations, and preparation of any legislative documentation.
-Assesses the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs to support further policy development, and undertakes program analysis/evaluation to identify performance benchmarks/strategies/best practices.
-Ensures that options and recommendations meet strategic education objectives, and consider factors such as funding, governance, horizontal policy development, stakeholder needs and interests, cross-sectorial implications inter jurisdictional responsibilities, implementation issues, and immediate
and long term impacts across the education system.
-Maintains a current knowledge of issues that affect the broad education system (e.g. postsecondary education, training, elementary and secondary in the province. Identifies trends and directions, and both current and emerging policy issues requiring legislative reform, policy or program responses.
-Plans/designs research and conceptual frameworks for policy studies, develops/recommends project goals, parameters, resources, and deliverables and conducts, organizes and coordinates qualitative and quantitative analysis, trends, options, and impact analysis, to support policy and program
recommendations.
-Develops reports and analyses, and presents policy options and recommendations to senior management for decision making purposes; prepares briefing materials, house notes and policy documentation. (e.g. Cabinet submissions, legislative amendments).
-Prepares and reviews policy papers and submissions from stakeholder groups, education institutions and/or other jurisdictions identifying systemic issues and recommends appropriate response.
2. Project and Program Management
-Leads and coordinates projects involving multi-disciplinary cross- sectorial teams comprised of ministry and cross-ministry staff, public sector and other stakeholders in the development of new policy options or projects.
Provides technical leadership through all phases of projects including project scope, timeframes, milestones and deliverables, planning, recommending staff resources, coordinating and guiding staff.
-Undertakes socio-economic qualitative and quantitative analysis of education policy and programs, analyses empirical documents and submissions from institutions.
-Supports ministry's strategic and operational processes by coordinating new/special initiatives as well as ongoing program operations; selects and recommends funding mechanism and allocation, organizes payments, oversees implementation, and monitors/evaluates results.
-Contributes to processes to secure funds for programs and operations, assesses risk and mitigation strategies, all in accordance with highest governance and accountability standards.
3. Stakeholder Relations/Partnerships:
-Builds and manages relationships and partnerships with stakeholders, manages risks and leads consultations to solicit input on proposed policies with key ministry and external stakeholders to gather intelligence, obtain data, develop consensus, identify concerns and issues, and ensure consistency of
policy approach and integration with the overall education mandate.
-Leads and/or represents the branch/division/ministry, cross-ministry, inter-jurisdictional or stakeholder working groups and committees, and consults with education experts in other governments, to strategically position education issues , and develop a consistent and integrated approach to educational quality and standards.
4. Issues Management:
-Provides advice, research, and interpretation to senior management with respect to education policy, programs and services, and negotiates/mediates contentious policy issues with stakeholder groups and responds to queries from within or outside OPS.
-Leads development and/or prepares a range of analyses/communications (e.g. briefing notes, correspondence, policy papers, presentations, speeches) requested by senior management and other stakeholders. Identifies and analyzes risks and proposes mitigation strategies.
-Reviews and provides advice on Cabinet items from other ministries that are linked to ministry policy/programs, to assess impacts, and ensure harmonized and integrated approach to policy development.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):


1. Policy Analysis and Development

- Leads the development of province-wide policy to establish requirements and direction for the ministry, school boards, and schools on steps needed to strengthen parental involvement in education.

- Provides leadership with respect to overall strategic planning, policy and program development at all levels of the system. Analyzes issues to promote results-based management and the implementation of strategic action plans and guidelines. Develops and recommends the implementation of performance measures, indicators and benchmarks at local, regional and provincial levels. Evaluates parent involvement performance and progress through reporting mechanisms and results assessment.

- Compiles data/information; conducts research, impact analyses and risk assessments to support policy development and senior level decision-making. Identifies research needs, develops research questions and prepares research tenders, and evaluates research reports.

- Analyzes current trends, committee findings and documents produced by external sources, recommendations and submissions from ministry staff and parent organizations. Prepares working papers for internal review, presentation and discussion. Provides written materials and analyses for consideration by parent involvement boards/committees.

- Assesses key issues such as cultural diversity, mediation of troubled parent/school relationships; identifies and proposes mechanisms for resolution. Proposes policy options regarding new school council outreach and grant programs for special local initiatives.

- Establishes guidelines concerning the establishment of parent involvement committees, public information programs.
Develops and proposes grant guidelines and criteria for projects supporting parent involvement locally and regionally.

- Develops policy/guidelines to support and govern shared responsibility of organized parents over parent related resources. Develops new fundraising policy to promote school council control over funds raised. Assesses all provincial, regional and local implications of proposed/implemented policy.

- Project leads special policy initiatives; ensures the achievement of project outcomes/objectives; makes presentations and speeches to ministry management, stakeholders and the community; promote strategic planning and standards for policy and program initiatives.

2. Stakeholder Relations/Partnerships

- Develops and maintains relationships with school board and association stakeholder groups, and with counterparts in other jurisdictions to exchange information, collaborate on initiatives, gather intelligence, and identify concerns and


issues.

- Leads consultations to address unique needs of the Francophone community. Identifies and articulates sensitive/emerging issues of concern.

3. Information/Advice

- Acts as a resource to the ministry on policy issues affecting parents and families, including the planning, delivery and evaluation of program delivery in the French language. Liaises with other branches regarding integration/coordination of initiatives.

- Provides authoritative policy advice to executive management. Prepares materials in support of policy proposals and strategy e.g., briefing notes, speeches, issues notes, special reports, cabinet documents and position papers.

- Provides French-language services to Francophone stakeholders; prepares documentation and written analyses in French, and answers questions regarding PEO functions, role of the Office and specific program related issues.

Knowledge / Skill :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

-Policy and program development principles and techniques and government legislative/decision making processes to undertake issue analysis, lead and/or participated in the development of strategies, policies, and program frameworks and standards, that meet strategic education objectives in the
province and to provide sound information and advice to clients and stakeholders.
-Program analysis/evaluation techniques to assess new/changed policies and programs and to provide recommendations on policy and programs quality, delivery, and accountability frameworks.
-The integration of broad range of socio-economic issues impacting education in the province, relevant legislation, provincial and ministry strategic directions pertaining to the education system in the province, funding, governance and related critical issues to ensure that ministry and government
objectives and directions are considered in the development of comprehensive and sound policy and program performance criteria and benchmarks.
-Research and project management skills/techniques to plan/conduct qualitative/quantitative research studies, to undertake analysis of trends, system modeling, and evaluation of best practices, options, costs, and impacts.
-Oral and written communications to respond to issues, provide recommendations, prepare reports, Cabinet submissions, briefing materials and correspondence, to represent the ministry and/or senior management in a broad range of external relations to participate in external meetings and events to promote policy initiatives to internal and external stakeholders as assigned upon request.
-Standard software programs and tools to research and prepare own materials.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

Knowledge of and skills in:

- Ontario's education sector, including relevant legislation, organizational structure, school board operations and school councils; specific knowledge of the goals and objectives of the Parent Engagement Office in order to lead policy analysis.

- Policy development/approval processes, protocol/practices, involving policy development and the preparation of Minister/Deputy Minister briefings, house notes, Q & A, committee and cabinet submissions.

- Program/policy analysis and development theories, principles and research tools to provide leadership and expertise in the development and evaluation of unprecedented policies and strategic accountability frameworks.

- Performance measurement principles and techniques to develop performance indicators, establish quality control mechanisms and conduct results assessment.

- Communication, presentation and negotiation skills to prepare recommendations, detailed policy frameworks, speeches and briefing papers; to influence senior management decision-making.

- Written communication skills to prepare complex, authoritative analyses, and to prepare detailed guidelines, proposals and submissions.

- Project leadership skills to direct staff on policy development projects; to plan and manage deadlines and competing priorities.

- Issues and concerns of Ontario's Francophone community, to provide policy advice with respect to the planning, delivery and evaluation of Parent Engagement Policy, and to lead consultations involving Francophone stakeholders.

- Oral and written communication skills in French at the superior level to lead consultations involving Francophone stakeholders and prepare written documents.

- Standard software programs and tools to prepare own materials.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

-Consultation and negotiation skills to respond to customer needs, develop key stakeholder linkages, build partnerships and to gain support for ministry policy and program initiatives from other ministries and stakeholders.
-Team work, consensus-building and mediation skills to ensure that policy and program frameworks reflect coordinated input from all key players, and to mediate/resolve identified policy issues with stakeholders.
-Presentation and persuasion and mediation skills to conduct effective briefings and provide policy and/or program advice and to explain policy and/or program recommendations.
-Facilitation skills and diplomacy to communicate ministry policy/position on sensitive, political issues on behalf of the ministry to working committees, other governments, stakeholders, students and their families, and the general public.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

- Consultation, partnership building and relationship management skills to establish key stakeholder linkages across the OPS and federal/provincial/territorial jurisdictions, and to work cooperatively on policy development projects.

- Consensus-building, mediation and negotiation skills to gain support for ministry policy and program initiatives from other ministries and education sector stakeholders, to resolve issues, to develop a coordinated position on policy issues.

- Presentation and persuasion skills to provide policy advice, and to explain parent engagement policy and/or program recommendations.

- Facilitation skills and diplomacy to represent the ministry/province on intergovernmental forums, and to communicate/advise on the ministry/provincial policy/position on parent engagement initiatives to working committees, counterparts in other governments, and other stakeholders.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

-Plan/design/undertake research studies to assess/evaluate issues and conceptualize/develop strategies, policies and program frameworks, options, and operational guidelines.
-Assess both qualitative and quantitative information in developing policy proposals, and evaluate a range of policy factors such as: funding, governance, and stakeholder interests.
-Evaluate other jurisdictional policy submissions to assess implications/impacts on policy/programs.
-Identify and evaluate the implications and impact of proposed policy changes, implementation issues, and medium and long term impacts of changes, and modify/make changes to mitigate identified potential risks.
-Analyze competing interests of stakeholders, mediate issues, and/or develop policies/solutions that integrate concerns.
-Process and distill information from a range of sources, including research and scientific data, trends analyses, and independent research, to identify Issues and discern salient points.
-Conduct risk assessment and management for envisioned government policy and program changes.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

Analytical and problem-solving skills to:

- Plan/ design/undertake province-wide research studies to conceptualize/develop policy and program options, frameworks, action plans, and guidelines.

- Assess both qualitative and quantitative information in developing policy/program proposals, and evaluate a range of local, regional, provincial, and stakeholder interests.

- Identify and evaluate implications and impact of proposed policies/initiatives, implementation issues, and medium and long term impacts of proposals.

- Analyze competing interests of stakeholders, and develop policies/ solutions that integrate concerns.

- Process and distil information from a range of sources, including research, impact analysis, trends analyses, risk assessment to support policy developments and recommendations.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

Responsible for:
Providing policy recommendations/options and/or program frameworks to senior management that impact broad education policy and program delivery in the province.
-Identifying and assessing issues requiring policy or program response within broad provincial strategic directions for education and legislative/regulatory and policy framework.
-Planning/carrying out research and evaluation of education and training policies, programs, services, and accountability relationships.
-Assessing proposed policy changes/proposals on stakeholder interest, needs, funding, governance, and service delivery.
-Representing the ministry in consultations with inter-jurisdictional stakeholder working groups/committees to resolve identified issues and/or to participate in shaping/evaluating broad education policy.
Has the latitude to identify and recommend policy/program options to senior management, and to determine/recommend research scope for developing policy options and program development.
Decisions are guided by: provincial and ministry strategic directions pertaining to education in the province, the existing legislative/regulatory and policy framework, and government directives and procedures. Assume designated responsibilities of the manager or team leader as required.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

Responsible for:

- Providing policy recommendations/options and/or program frameworks to senior management to increase parent involvement in education across the province.

- Identifying and assessing key issues such as cultural diversity, mediation of troubled parent/school relationships, and the development of recommendations for resolution.

- Developing research methodologies, conducting research, impact analyses and risk assessments to support policy development and senior level decision-making.

- Proposing policy options regarding new school council outreach and grand programs for special local initiatives, to reach parents challenged by factors such as language, recent immigration, poverty and unfamiliarity with the system..

- Recommending options/ best practices based on comparative analysis of research information, and evaluation of stakeholder interests and existing programs/frameworks.

- Representing the ministry in consultations with inter-jurisdictional stakeholder working groups/committees that are involved in collaborative issues analysis and that shape/evaluate policy and programs.

Has latitude to identify and recommend policy/program options to senior management, and to determine research scope for developing policy options/program frameworks.

Decisions are guided by provincial and ministry strategic directions, by the existing legislative/regulatory and policy framework, and government directives and procedures.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

-Ministry senior management to submit/promote recommendations for policies and programs, to provide information and advice on education policy, programs and services.
-Policy counterparts in own and other ministries, and other jurisdictions, to consult on program and policy development, and to collaborate on issues resolution, develop Cabinet submissions or joint submissions and develop recommendations for integrated policies/program services.
-Operating groups, boards, steering committees, advocacy groups of organizations to monitor developments in the sector, provide interpretation of monitor compliance with government policy and procedures and to seek to elicit cooperation for ministry policy, explain ministry policy, consult on
policy/program proposals, and resolve issues.
-Federal and provincial government in other jurisdictions to forge partnerships, collaborate and share information on inter-jurisdictional or integrated social policy/programs, education, and funding programs and to ratify formal agreements.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

- Ministry senior management and Cabinet office to provide advice and information, respond to issues, submit recommendations for approval of policies and programs, and contribute to communications messaging.

- Policy counterparts in own and other ministries to consult on program and policy development and impact analysis, to collaborate on issues resolution, develop joint recommendations for policies/programs.

- Federal, provincial, and territorial, government representatives for collaborative policy development, and to share information on parent engagement initiatives and activities, approaches and best practices.

- Education sector stakeholders such as school boards, councils, Directors of Education, and parent association stakeholders (e.g. Ontario Association of Parents in Catholic Education; Ontario Federation of Home and School Associations) to gather and exchange information on policy issues, initiatives and activities.

Guidance / Supervision :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

-Works independently and/or in teams to provide technical guidance to other policy colleagues and work teams in the ministry or from other ministries when leading/coordinating assigned research and policy development project.
-Provides advice and information on current and proposed policies and programs to other government policy counterparts.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

- Provides guidance/supervision to other policy analysts/work teams when leading/coordinating research and policy development projects.

- Provides functional guidance/advice and information on current and proposed policy and programs to ministry and cross-ministry and educational sector stakeholders.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

-Frequently required to deliver on policy, program and/or special project deliverables, and respond to requests within short deadlines.
-Frequently required to deal with deadlines that are subject to change without notice, priorities that are not anticipated or contentious issues that arise unexpectedly and require quick turnaround for issues management.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

- Frequently required to respond to requests within short deadlines where time pressures result in the need to work beyond normal work hours.

- Frequently required to deal with deadlines which are subject to change without notice, priorities that are not anticipated or contentious issues which arise unexpectedly and require quick turnaround for issues management.

Mental / Sensory :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

-Continuous requirement to concentrate when reading materials, analyzing documents and research, and when drafting reports, briefing notes and policy related materials.
-Continuous requirement to listen when attending meetings, or seeking input from stakeholders.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

- Continuous requirement to concentrate when reading materials, analyzing documents and research, and when drafting reports, briefing notes and policy related materials.

- Frequent requirement to listen intently when attending meetings, seeking input from stakeholders.

Conditions / Environment :

Senior Policy Advisor (unilingual):

Work is performed in a typical office environment.


Senior Policy Advisor (bilingual):

Work is performed in a typical office environment.