Job Specification

Purpose :

To oversee and manage the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of strategic program frameworks and program delivery strategies/frameworks to support the delivery of ministry program and regulatory mandate.

To lead/initiate partnership development and stakeholder consultation processes.

To provide expertise and advice to ministry senior management and staff on program development and program delivery options, recommendations, risks, and issues management strategies.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Provides direction and project management oversight to the development of program strategy and framework to support the delivery of a key government/ministry policy and regulatory mandate. Oversees the preparation of program planning and development submissions, discussion papers, presentations, briefing notes, correspondence, and Cabinet submissions related to the ministry program and service delivery mandate.
2. Oversees and leads the development, implementation, and evaluation of program delivery strategies and methods, including development of guidelines and criteria, funding, resource allocation, performance frameworks, stakeholder capacity building, and implementation plans, and participates in the formulation of regional goals, objectives, program initiatives, budget development and management plans.
3. Oversees the design and establishment of program review models, evaluation processes, and methodologies that are consistent with government standards and best practices, and ensures accountability and excellence in regulatory products and processes. Leads and manages the development of policy/ program revisions or recommendations based on program evaluation research, analyses and evidence based study results.
4. Leads and represents the ministry in any negotiations related to partnership, contractual agreements with stakeholders, and manages agreements in accordance with financial accountability and compliance mechanisms.
5. Oversees the monitoring, analysis and research of trends and complex issues in relevant areas, and provides advice, recommendations and participates in the development and implementation of policy directions and business strategies to advance strategic and transformative projects including development and analysis of policy options, assessment of new business directions, and work with other ministries and agencies to advance implementation of business objectives and government priorities/decisions.
6. Leads the development and implementation of communication strategies and products to promote the program, mitigate identified risks, manage critical and emerging issues, and ensure stakeholders are kept informed of the new programs to support the implementation. Establishes protocols and procedures to ensure effective information sharing and teamwork within the division and across the ministry.
7. Develops and directs critical relationships, sustainability and revitalization strategies to coordinate 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, issue and challenges to help inform future policy direction and to maintain ongoing stakeholder relations with other ministries and levels of government.
8. Manages and leads a multi-disciplinary project team(s) and oversees and coordinates the development and implementation of program and service initiatives to support ministry and/or regional business plans. Develops implementation frameworks and processes related to priority setting, project integration, and critical program delivery linkages, and establishes work plans and schedules to meet key delivery timelines and objectives.


9. Manages/guides the analysis, prioritization and response to all issues and the preparation of formal replies, issue/briefing notes, comprehensive reports, consultation/discussion papers, Cabinet Submissions/Cabinet papers, public statements, and strategic communications which may lead to statutory or regulatory changes. Develops strategies/practical solutions to resolve complex and high profile problems. Provides input to the senior management decision-making process by presenting recommendations, options/remedial actions to the Director, the Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister and Minister (as required).
10. Participates in the development 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 positive champion of change.
11. Leads the review and regular update of business processes to identify and introduce new and innovative ways to streamline work and recognize efficiencies.
12. Serves on ministry, inter-ministry and inter-jurisdictional committees, forums, and working groups, to develop consensus on strategic program development, delivery, and issues management.
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 results-based planning processes 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 :

Understanding of the factors and issues impacting and influencing Indigenous policy development: the Crown's legal duty to consult, Aboriginal and Treaty rights, inter-governmental relations.

Understanding of the policies, legislation, trends and issues affecting Indigenous peoples of Ontario.

Understanding the concepts, barriers and principles for engaging, consulting and building relationships with Indigenous partners, communities and organizations.

Ministry strategic corporate directions, multi-year business and results based planning processes, 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.








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.

Theories and practices related to governance models of community service organizations, program design/development processes and procedures, ministry service delivery models, government/ministry/ branch directions, mandate, legislation, and existing policy/ program frameworks, to manage the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of projects, initiatives, and program delivery frameworks, to oversee program partnership development processes, and to ensure alignment with corporate goals and mandates.

Understanding of ministry objectives, policy and procedures to coordinate and prioritize and administer program and operational requirements, formulate policies and procedures and manage information across ministries and broader public service agencies.

Ability to interpret and apply legislation, ministry policies, standards, priorities, mandates and OPS policy direction to provide legislative and policy advice to staff and various stakeholders.

Program evaluation and research methods, to lead and manage the research, analysis, and evaluation of program effectiveness, to identify gaps, costs, impacts and issues, establish best practices, and provide evidence based program recommendations.

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.

Government accountability frameworks and administrative and financial processes for the preparation and approval of funding contracts.

Vendor management and government procurement principles, practices and methods, to authorize project contracts.

Program Responsibility :

Responsible for the planning, development, delivery, review and evaluation of programs/services supporting the ministry policy/program mandate and government objectives, and for ensuring that program development and implementation reflects government standards and best practices, accountability, and alignment and integration with strategic policy/program directions, and the program plans of other divisions, branches and partner ministries. Participates in the formulation of goals, objectives, program initiatives, budget development and management plans.

Responsible for ensuring that ministry, divisional and/or operational performance measures and service standards are achieved, and for providing advice and expertise, including analysis and development of options, risk management approaches, and communication strategies, for senior ministry management regarding issues, stakeholder interests, and identified concerns that potentially impact program and service delivery.

Responsible for developing partnerships with government and non-governmental agencies that promote and foster effective and efficient program delivery, review and evaluation.

Responsible for leading and representing the ministry in any negotiations related to partnership, contractual agreements with stakeholders, and manages agreements in accordance with financial accountability and compliance mechanisms.
Initiate and maintaining stakeholder relationships to support program development, implementation and improvement.

Responsible for providing advice and expertise, including analysis and development of options, risk management approaches, and communication strategies, to senior ministry executives regarding issues, stakeholder interests, and identified concerns that potentially impact program delivery and the ministry/government agenda.

Responsible for providing input to the branch's strategic multi-year plan and logic models. Leads and coordinates business planning, and determining program deliverables to ensure that strategic business goals and the ministry program mandate are achieved.

Analytical Thinking :

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

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

Oversees development of guidelines and criteria, funding formulas, resource allocations, performance frameworks, and implementation plans, in line with strategic corporate goals and ministry policy/ program mandate.

Assesses and measures program effectiveness and accountability, identifies needs and gaps, ensures consistency with ministry/ government standards, best practices, and alignment and integration with strategic program directions.

Anticipates and identifies program delivery, implementation, and operational issues, and provides strategic and expert advice to senior executives on risks and mitigation, including communications strategies.

Evaluates and balances ministry and stakeholder interests and concerns in program development and implementation processes.

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.

Leads and coordinates strategic program planning, the review of program directions, and the evaluation of evidence based program outcomes relative to ministry goals and program mandate.

Directs, plans, and coordinates processes related to program development, implementation, and evaluation, in alignment with ministry strategic objectives.

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

Plans and manages delivery of programs and services within a region, leads a multi-disciplinary project team, and coordinates program planning and evaluation processes in line with ministry goals and program mandate.

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 planning, consultation, and implementation processes related to strategic organizational development and change management initiatives.

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 independence in planning to meet government and ministry strategic business objectives and priorities, and in the provision of advice and recommendations to Senior Management, where program advice is considered authoritative and is relied on for executive policy and program decisions.

Has broad latitude to establish program goals and to plan and manage program development and implementation processes, to meet government/ministry strategic business goals and objectives.

Sets long and short term unit/regional services priorities, and ensures effective program and service delivery, while reconciling changing demand for services with available staff and program capabilities, and maintaining the integrity of various programs.

Provides advice and expertise to executive levels on issues identified as impacting ministry service delivery and program directions, and proposes mitigation strategies and communication approaches to address identified risks.

Designs program review processes to effectively assess and measure program outcomes and effectiveness, and develops and recommends program changes that reflect best program practices and are evidence based.

Leads or participates in executive strategic business and strategic business planning processes, and in the planning and implementation of strategic initiatives such as reorganization or change management.

Develops and nurtures key stakeholder linkages and partnerships which are critical to effective program development and delivery, and initiates, negotiates, and manages any partnership and contractual agreements.

Interpersonal/Communication :

Possesses relationship management skills to build effective relationships with colleagues, other government stakeholders and Indigenous organizations and representatives.

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, and issues resolution.

Advises ministry senior management and executives on operational policy/ program area plans, proposals, and issues resolution program proposals, and discusses, briefs, and makes persuasive recommendations.

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 and priorities.

Negotiates with stakeholders related to partnership, contractual agreements and manages agreements in accordance with financial accountability and compliance mechanisms.

Chairs or participates on senior level corporate committees, work groups, special projects and initiatives, related to design, development, and evaluation of ministry programs.

Physical Effort :

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

Sensory Effort :

The work requires visual attention and concentration to review detailed plans, assignments, and information. The work requires the ability to shift focus to address multiple, complex and confidential issues.

Working Conditions :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.