Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide senior policy and strategic support to the Office of Francophone Affairs and the government with respect to Ontario's Francophone population and the provision of services under the French Language Services Act. To perform and coordinate highly complex corporate policy research, analysis and assessment. To provide advice on policy, issues and impacts for services, program and legislation, to the Assistant Deputy Minister, Deputy Minister and Minister.

Duties / Responsibilities :

As part of the senior policy team in the OFA, providing specialized policy advice in support of the Government of Ontario's implementation of the French Language Services Act; 1. Provides strategic policy advice and expertise to senior OFA officials on complex strategic policy/program research, development, analysis, and evaluation. 2. Leads, coordinates and/or participates on policy/program development projects and strategic plans in consultation with other OFA staff and staff of other ministries and governments as well as external stakeholders. 3. Coordinates highly complex, high profile, sensitive policy research and analysis and stakeholder consultations on key policy issues. 4. Develops policy and program options, including carrying out risk and cost-benefit analyses and ensuring alignment with the corporate agenda and priorities for French language services; identifies and evaluates their strategic outcomes and implications for government and the Francophone community. 5. Develops options papers, briefing notes/correspondence/summary analyses of policy issues for the ADM/Deputy/Minister; ensures that comprehensive and accurate input from appropriate internal and external stakeholders is received within required timeframes. 6. Maintains an awareness of current initiatives/issues with potential impact on Francophones. Advises senior management of emerging policy and program issues and opportunities which may require briefings of Minister/Deputy Minister/ADM. Monitors related initiatives, and evidence-based best practices for their relevance to and implications for the Francophone community. 7. Coordinates policy activities with the OFA Corporate Services Coordinator to ensure appropriate information collection and the OFA Strategic Communications Unit to assist in the development of communication products and processes. Coordinates policy activities in conjunction with OFA policy team in order to implement the planning of new policies, programs, initiatives. 8. Cultivates relationships and partnerships in order to develops and maintain network of credible policy contacts in ministries, central agencies and other governments/government levels. Represents the OFA on working groups dealing with issues that cross ministry/sector lines.

Knowledge :

Comprehensive knowledge of applicable legislation, established policy and legislative, socio-economic and policy issues impacting on Ontario's Francophone sector and the services provided to it by the government. Extensive knowledge and understanding of interministry/intergovernmental relations with the stakeholder environment; e.g., Canada-Ontario Agreement. Thorough knowledge of Ontario government strategic directions, key priorities and policy agenda as they pertain/may pertain to Francophone affairs; strategic policy and planning decision making and approval processes. Understanding of the public context and stakeholder issues in which policy is formulated, and of policy communications issues and strategies. Extensive knowledge of and superior skills in the conduct of research, policy analysis, policy development and associated risk and impact analysis. Excellent quantitative and qualitative research skills; analytical, synthesis, issue resolution, consultation, advisory, negotiation and relationship building skills. Superior written communication and presentation skills. Excellent judgement, tact and diplomacy; highly skilled in working in a client centred environment. Ability to work and achieve objectives with independence as well as a member of a team, and the ability to elicit cooperation from others with respect to deadlines and work product demands. Computer skills to use a variety of software applications to conduct research, draft policy products. Superior oral and written French and English language skills.

Judgement :

Work is performed under the general direction of the Director, within the mandate, policy and legislative framework of OFA/ ministry/government. Judgement is exercised in: accurately identifying, analyzing, initiating and advising on policy matters and formulating plans, policies, strategies and priorities to meet the needs of the Francophone community and ensuring compliance with the French Language Services Act; anticipating/identifying/researching issues and formulating options/recommendations on how to handle/present/resolve; determining and responding to information needs of senior management; carrying out risk and cost benefit analysis and assessing the impacts/ implications of policy recommendations on stakeholders; evaluating existing and proposed policy to identify compliance, needs, gaps, opportunities, risks and contribute to the development of new or enhanced policy; researching, designing and developing measures to review policy outcomes.

Accountability - Programs :

Accountable for the quality, accuracy, reliability and validity of research findings, analyses, conclusions, recommendations and advice, and for the appropriateness and viability of policy proposals, strategic assessments and briefings.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Poor advice and recommendations to senior managers impact on the quality of policy decisions and could lead to Ontario failing to achieve its objectives with respect to the Francophone population. Failure to address and reflect stakeholder issues in policy development/review could lead to service gaps and neglect of client needs.

Contact - Internal :

Regular, frequent contact with OFA staff and policy staff across ministries, agencies and central agencies, to provide and ensure OFA strategies and messaging are coordinated and aligned. Regular contact with officials up to ADM level, to provide information, policy advice and options. As directed, contact with Deputy Minister and Minister to convey information.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with officials/stakeholders in other jurisdictions (federal, provincial, municipal), to act as liaison, exchange information, anticipate/identify/resolve issues/problems, explain Ontario's OFA policy, practice and procedures. Represents the OFA on senior level committees, stakeholder consultations, at meetings and conferences.