Job Specification

Purpose :

To lead, direct, and manage a regional office which is responsible for providing school boards with accurate and timely information regarding ministry policies, legislative requirements, programs and standards; for providing leadership and support for the implementation of ministry initiatives; and for monitoring compliance and measuring progress.

To provide expertise and advice to ministry senior management and staff on policy and program development and implementation options, recommendations and issues management strategies, and areas for improvement and transformation.

To lead and direct stakeholder and the ministry's federal-provincial, inter-provincial and inter-ministerial relations, consultations, engagement, facilitation, and to oversee partnership and consensus building in developing, promoting, and delivering programs that support ministry strategies and goals.

To provide linkages to the Director's Office and various ministry branches regarding local school board issues and information regarding program effectiveness.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Leads and directs activities within the regional office to ensure that local school boards are provided with timely, accurate and consistent information regarding ministry policies and programs; works closely with senior school board officials to clarify the functions of the Regional Office, and to ensure that use of resources is aligned with ministry priorities and branch directions.
2. Leads the implementation of ministry strategies and initiatives resulting from changing directions and mandate of the branch and field offices; manages the monitoring and reporting on the effectiveness of the school system in the implementation of policy and programs at the regional level; participates in the planning and implementation of benchmarking, and the development of a performance measurement and evaluation framework.
3. Manages and participates in monitoring and measuring compliance to ministry policy, legislation and standards for elementary and secondary education. Prepares summary reports for senior management regarding contraventions to legislation and proposed recommendations for ministry action. Ensures that the ministry senior management is kept apprised of school board issues and activities including the provision of required information (e.g. environmental scans, data collection for board profiles, compliance measurement) and the interpretation of information to facilitate policy development.
4. Manages and leads the implementation of transition and change plans, including human transition and change factors that address staff skills development, understanding cultural resistance and acceptance, to promote support, optimize learning, minimize resistance and ensure the effective handover and ongoing support for ministry operational units. Develops and implements post-change reviews/assessments to ensure compliance with current/new corporate administration policies and procedures.
5. Participates in branch/office/ministry senior management strategic planning and decision-making process by providing authoritative strategic advice and ensuring the provision of expertise to address specific policy, procedure and operational problems/issues and their resolution. Oversees/prepares complex written resources such as priority and discussion papers, briefing/issue notes, reports and other materials involving senior executives' decisions.
6. Represents the ministry as the strategic support expert and leader in central agency business/service management relations; chairs and participates on inter-ministerial committees and work groups for the provision of specialized functional leadership, competencies and knowledge; coordinates/leads activities, makes authoritative recommendations and represents the ministry strategic business interests.
7. Provides field input to the ministry policy branches through the Director's Office to ensure that ministry policies reflect the diverse needs of school boards across the province.
8. Manages contracts with external service providers, and the negotiation of shared services with other local ministries.
9. Provides branch leadership for provincial initiatives as assigned.
10. Provides advice and expertise to ministry executives and senior management on strategic policy and program decisions and provides recommendations on identified stakeholder issues and related risk analyses impacting achievement of government commitments and strategy. Proposes strategic policy recommendations to mitigate risk and manage identified issues.
11. Ensures that emerging issues and trends that have potentially major implications for the ministry and government are anticipated and impacts are managed and minimized and coordinates a schedule of ministry priority needs for review and approval.
12. Develops and directs critical relationships, sustainability and improvement planning strategies to coordinate policy and program delivery and program review processes, facilitate consultations, and address program delivery issues. Leads the development and implementation of stakeholder management strategies to ensure consultative mechanisms are in place for the identification of emerging trends, innovative practices, issues and challenges to help inform future policy direction and to maintain ongoing stakeholder relations with other ministries and levels of government.

Managerial Responsibilities
1. Develops and oversees ministry strategic plans in the program area and provides advice and expertise to executive levels on issues impacting the OPS and ministry service deliverables.
2. Controls financial resources and reporting, develops the multi-year budget and resource plans. Leads business, financial, and program review, Multi-year business planning for Ministry programs/operations and services.
3. Builds organizational capacity through effective human resources development by authorizing recruitment activities, labour relations management, talent management, organizational design and succession planning.
4. Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with key partners and stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate information flow and identification of issues; presents and advocates the ministry's position at various forums.
5. Responsible for the overall compliance with legislative statutes, collective agreements, government and ministry policies, directives, guidelines and commitments related to programs and services.

Factors :

Knowledge :

Ministry strategic corporate directions, multi-year business and program review, Multi-year business planning and ministry service delivery models, to lead and manage a significant ministry program area, to determine program objectives and resource requirements and to ensure alignment of programs and projects with corporate strategic goals.

Government and ministry financial, administrative and procurement policies and directives to plan and manage fiscal and material resources. This includes reviewing and approving budgets, managing facilities, assets, and contract service providers, leading long range fiscal planning, providing regular financial reporting, and ensuring compliance with financial protocols, audit principles, directives and guidelines.

Human resources theories, principles, policies and collective agreements to develop organizational capacity which includes succession planning, talent management, organization and job design and labour relations management.

Project management principles and methodologies to oversee and guide the overall delivery of mandates and strategies.

Government/Ministry Directions/Priorities/Agenda to manage the planning, development and execution of a wide range of programs/policies, events, partnerships and initiatives while ensuring alignment with government and ministry strategic objectives and priorities.

Program evaluation and research methods, including environmental scans, and quantitative and qualitative methods, to provide expertise, leadership and manage projects and teams in the research analyses of policy trends, gaps and issues, including systems modelling, and evaluation of best practices, options, costs and impacts, and to provide evidence based policy and program recommendations and assessment of the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs.

Consultation and negotiation methods, techniques and best practices; new and emerging trends in communications (e.g. social media and the government's vision) to manage the development and implementation of stakeholder, indigenous and key partner relations and communications strategies and to support ministry initiatives

Understanding of corporate initiatives and their impact on education and field operations and the mandate and functioning of school boards including protocol, practices and procedures to provide timely and accurate information to school boards and anticipate and manages issues.

Business process improvement methodologies, re-engineering and level of service methodologies; measurement methods and systematic evaluation methods and continuous improvement theory, best practices, approaches and systems thinking to ensure the provision of business improvement expertise, tools and support that address the very diverse situations and needs in ministry operational areas/units; ensure compatibility and compliance with central agency requirements and appropriate response to audit results and recommendations.

Change management to provide leadership, expertise and tools to support ministry-wide business improvement initiatives and address human transition and change factors.

OPS policy development to manage/influence the development and implementation of the ministry policy and procedural framework and provide authoritative interpretation.

Strategic planning and issues management skills to provide strategic expertise and recommend mitigation strategies addressing challenges/issues that may negatively impact business improvement for program delivery.

Program area expertise, in conjunction with program design/development processes and procedures, ministry service delivery models, strategic planning processes, government/ministry/ branch directions, mandate, legislation, and existing policy/program frameworks, and the range of stakeholder interests, to lead and manage the development and implementation of a key program(s) area, to oversee program partnership development and consultation processes, and to ensure alignment with corporate goals and mandates, effective administration of applicable legislation and regulations, and compliance with accountability frameworks, and controllership directives.

Government and ministry communications and issues management processes and methods, to provide critical identification and analysis of issues and stakeholder concerns potentially impacting the ministry/government agenda, to lead development of issues management and communication strategies and solutions, and to provide strategic advice and recommendations to executive managers on issues mitigation.

Political acuity to understand organizational politics and provide strategic advice, expertise and briefings on the status of ministry programs and initiatives. To anticipate and recognize sensitive political situations, to provide relevant information to senior decision makers and effectively engage stakeholders and actively represent the ministries' interests in developing/recommending collaborative solutions.

Local education issues and concerns (e.g. current issues in governance) to identify, analyze and negotiate resolution to these issues.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for leading and managing the planning, development, and implementation of activities of a Regional Office responsible for representing the ministry to local school boards.

Responsible for providing expert information, clarification and advice regarding ministry legislation, policies and programs.

Responsible for monitoring and analytically measuring compliance and progress of school boards regarding adherence to legislation and implementation of ministry policies and programs, at the regional and provincial level.

Responsible for leading, developing and implementing and managing regional and provincial work plans and goals within the branch, division, and provincial mandate. Responsible for proactively identifying and managing board related issues and provides related leadership and expertise to school boards.

Responsible for providing expert and authorities' input regarding ministry policies and reports on program effectiveness within the field. As a member of the branch management team, responsible for contributing to branch strategic planning, policies and decision making activities including development/implementation of a benchmarking and evaluation framework.

Responsible for accuracy, timelines and information provided to senior management.

Analytical Thinking :

Identifies, analyzes and negotiates resolution to resolve issues from the school boards.

Assesses reports and develops performance measurement and evaluation framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the school system in the implementation of policy and programs at the regional and provincial level.

Analyzes compliance reports that measures compliance to ministry policy, legislation and standards for elementary and secondary education and provides recommendations to senior management regarding contraventions to legislation for ministry action.

Anticipates and addresses critical issues with potential impact across the ministry (e.g., assesses the impact of new/revised program/business outcomes) taking into consideration senior management opinions; identifies risks on decisions affecting existing legislation and/or regulations.

Identifies risks and mitigation strategies resulting from the evaluation of strategies/plans and their impact on divisional and ministry priorities (e.g., analyzes and makes influential recommendations to ministry senior management teams on needs and opportunities for projects supporting the implementation of new business improvement strategy and ministry priorities).

Identifies and summarizes emerging policy concerns, develops analyses for presentation to senior management (e.g., researches and advises on alternative approaches for policy options, action plans in support of corporate objectives).

Identifies, determines and evaluates needs for the development of program/business policies, procedures, standards and processes. Evaluates program issues, determines the scope of analyses to support business improvement, and identifies risks associated with changes and impacts on priorities, strategies and directions.

Conceptualizes long term strategic and resources planning needs to meet policy and program mandates, and anticipates, assesses, plans and leads the design and research and evaluation of policy and programs.

Develops and evaluates stakeholder and key partner outreach strategies to facilitate province-wide public and stakeholder input on assigned programs, advise ministry executives on methods of leveraging internal and external stakeholder relationships, manage contentious and emerging issues, minimize risk, and secure support and collaboration among internal and external stakeholders.

Analyzes critical policy and program issues and risks with potential impacts for the ministry/government, and leads development of mitigation options, issues management, and communication.

Planning / Coordinating :

Leads and manages multi-year strategic business/program/service plans including the deployment of resources (human and financial) to deliver programs and services.

Coordinates and leads the planning and implementation of organizational development and complex change initiatives for the program, service, project or initiative.

Plans and coordinates multiple deliverables with external and internal stakeholders, partners and consultants.

Works closely with senior school board officials to ensure the use of resources is directed to the new business directions of the ministry.

Works closely with senior school board officials to analyze student performance, align professional learning on behalf of student learning needs, and monitor impact.

Works closely with senior school board officials to identify system's strengths and needs to provide support including accessing resource assistance and guidance from other ministry personnel.

Plans and coordinates system improvement and learning discussions with senior team school board members. Directs/manages projects and collaborative work that evolves from these discussions including the oversight and assessment of project goals and the provision of authoritative guidance and resources.

Plans and manages policy and program consultation processes with stakeholders in relevant sectors, and jurisdictions, and ensures the integration of stakeholder interests in policy and program development and review processes.

Coordinates the review, investigation, and resolution of critical program issues which impact the achievement of the mandate of the branch/ministry.

Develops team, project, and individual work plans to ensure that performance targets and deliverables are met.

Coordinates the development/implementation of strategic directions by working closely with colleagues and senior management to ensure integration and co-ordination of strategic initiatives and projects and to act as a facilitator of change/transformation.

Leadership/Guidance :

Develops, builds and leads organizational capacity through positive and values based leadership, inclusive and engaged teams, and partnerships. Frames program vision and strategy for services, programs or operations.

Determines human resources and organizational needs for optimal performance and delivery of results and alignment with ministry objectives; leads talent management and succession planning; mentors employees; sets goals and performance standards.

Exercises managerial and strategic leadership accountability and authority in the areas of organizational design, recruitment and retention, talent management, labour relations and compensation related matters.

Independence of Action :

Reports to a senior level, Director or higher and works within broad parameters and the strategic ministry/branch mandate, legislation, and strategic goals and directions.

Exercises considerable independence in the development of program/service plans including delivery/implementation to meet government and ministry strategic business objectives and priorities and in the provision of advice and recommendations to the senior executives and informs policy and program decisions.

Due to the geographic location of the regional offices, the position is expected to work with a high level of independence in managing daily field office activities, issues and program and policy related matters, referring only the most contentious, politically sensitive matters.

Independence of action is required in implementing strategies resulting from changing directions and mandate of the branch and field offices requiring sensitivity, diplomacy and tact; in identifying, analyzing and determining optimum resolution to education issues with consideration and sensitivity to potential impact and implications, the need for consistent application of legislation, policies and standards, and the requirement to ensure ministry officials are kept apprised of these issues.

Independence of action is required in utilizing education expertise in the management of a complex caseload and in representing the ministry at the field level. Independence of action is required in determining appropriate resource levels and in authorizing expenditures to meet work requirement. Applies ministry and OPS standards, policies and accepted business improvement procedures and practices while exercising independent action in the management of diverse managerial and leadership roles.

Makes decisions in order to undertake a clear course of action to meet program and policy goals.

Addresses strategic and operational issues impacting the ministry and develops consensus on joint processes having government and external impacts.

Provides strategic and operational advice, reviews materials and assesses whether issues fit within the ministry mandate, identifies and articulates issues that may cause negative attention, confusion or conflicts and decides on appropriate action/responses.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Provides strategic advice, program proposals, and discusses, briefs, and makes persuasive recommendations to ministry senior management and executives on operational policy/ program area plans, proposals, issues resolution, and identification of innovative practices.

Builds key horizontal relationships and leads and manages partnership negotiations and consultation processes, with a view to developing and fostering key linkages across the OPS and with other sector stakeholders, and identifying program delivery issues, priorities, and innovative practices.

Communicates with colleagues throughout the branch to discuss issues and matters of mutual concern.

Communicates policy and program branches within the ministry, through the Director's Office, to provide input and information regarding recommended changes to policies and the effectiveness of programs at the regional level.

Provides briefings to the Minister's and Deputy Minister's Offices, at the direction of the Director, regarding local issues and concerns.

Builds and develops partnerships with local staff from other ministries for shared services, with school board officials, community groups, and parents groups to represent the ministry at meetings and presentations, and to discuss issues/concerns.

Prepares and presents a range and complexity of materials including presentations, reports, briefing materials, issues sheets, policy recommendations and ministerial correspondence.

Represents the Ministry/Division and contributes relevant subject matter expertise, as a member of Ministry, during system improvement committees, as well as various committees involving board staff, Indigenous partner, intergovernmental, and Broader Public Sector.

Provides strategic advice to school board system leaders and staff on opportunities arising from ministry initiatives, directions, and priorities.

Consults with ministry and external counterparts to manage risks and ensure smooth solution implementation.

Physical Effort :

Much of the time is spent in an office environment with frequent opportunity to move about. Occasionally, moves/lifts light objects such as training materials required for facilitation/training sessions.

Some travel required to meet and work with board staff.

Sensory Effort :

Requires visual attention and concentration (i.e. reading without interruption) to develop work plans and determine the effectiveness of ministry policies and programs.

Requires concentrated effort during negotiations with schools boards for such purposes as implementing strategies and developing performance measurement and evaluation framework to evaluate the effectiveness of the school system in the implementation of policy and programs at the regional level.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.