Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide expert advice, support and services to senior management of the Office of Francophone Affairs (OFA) to support the Minister in the integration of French-language services to government-wide initiatives and in the gathering, analysis and distribution of information on Ontario's Francophones. To assist the OFA in meeting the requirements of various corporate/administrative initiatives.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Within the Branch which advises the Government on policies and programs in the area of francophone affairs and conducts research and statistical analyses on the Francophone community, the position:

1. Plans and coordinates the purchase, treatment, analysis and reporting of demographic information (e.g. Statistics Canada census data) on Ontario's Francophones including maintaining a database; analyzing complex data sets; overseeing the production of reports and statistical materials; interpreting and responding to statistical data requests; and preparing specialized reports for a variety of users such as the Minister, OFA, ministries, other levels of government, and the general public.

2. Oversees the OFA's involvement in research activities and provides advice and support to external partners on studies pertaining to Ontario's Francophones

3. Assists the OFA in meeting its corporate obligations by drafting and coordinating the preparation of documents on OFA's performance measures and related assessment tools including the planning and design of surveys and evaluation projects aimed at assessing the services provided by the OFA.

4. Acts as OFA's main contact with Ministry of Government Services, Cabinet Office and other ministries on ministry-specific and government-wide initiatives (e.g. government's electronic service delivery initiative, WIN) and ensures that French language services requirements are addressed in new policies, programs and plans; analyses plans, proposals or reports related to French-language services within the Corporate Services role and makes recommendations to OFA's senior management.

5. Prepares issue sheets, briefing notes and correspondence for the Minister and the OFA in response to corporate services related requests.

6. Prepares tools (policies, guidelines, guides, procedures and processes) to assist ministries in fulfilling their French-language services responsibilities.

7. Represents OFA on interministerial committees and in meetings with central agencies and ministries;

Knowledge :

Position requires excellent knowledge of statistical research and manipulation and demographic analysis methods, techniques and skills to perform quantitative and computer-based research and analysis of demographic and socio-economic data on Ontario's Francophones and to oversee the OFA's research requirements. Knowledge and skills in the use, capabilities and operations of various database software programs to maintain various demographic databases and to oversee the production of various reports. Sound interpretive knowledge and understanding of the French Language Services Act, and knowledge of government policies, directives, guidelines and procedures related to the planning and delivery of French-language services to provide consultative expertise and information regarding French language service requirements in proposed corporate policies, programs and plans. Knowledge of Ontario Government's strategic directions, structure, decision-making processes, legislation, programs and services to provide corporate services coordination on behalf of the OFA. Knowledge of Ontario's Francophone community and its organizations to collect and analyze relevant data on Francophone demographics and issues. Excellent analytical, organizational and problem-solving skills to plan and coordinate a range of responsibilities in support of the administration of the FLS Act. Project management skills to manage concurrent project related activities. Excellent consulting and negotiations skills to interact effectively with internal clients and other levels of government. Written and verbal communication skills in English and in French at the superior level to prepare issue sheets, briefing notes, and correspondence and related tools. Ability to work as a team member and meet tight deadlines.

Judgement :

Position works under the general direction of the Director, Policy Research and Services and within the broad framework of government policies and objectives and within the parameters of the French Language Services Act and OFA's strategic directions. Judgement is exercised in advising on statistical and demographic information and analyses; in determining and maintaining OFA's statistical database, documentation modalities and in interpreting statistical data requests. Judgement is exercised in preparing briefing notes, options and recommendations for the OFA's senior management for submission to the Minister; in advising central agencies and ministries on how government corporate initiatives can meet the requirements of the French Language Services Act; in determining the design and contents of surveys of internal and external clients and evaluations of OFA's programs and services.

Accountability - Programs :

Responsible for planning and coordinating the purchase, treatment, analysis and reporting of demographic information (e.g. Statistics Canada census data) on Ontario's Francophones and the planning and design of surveys and evaluation projects aimed at assessing the services provided by the OFA. Acts as OFA's main contact with Management Board Secretariat, Cabinet Office and other ministries on government-wide initiatives. Ensures that French language services requirements are addressed in new policies, programs and plans.

Accountability – Personnel :

N/A

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

N/A

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Poor judgment and ineffective consultative advice and analyses could result in government services which do not meet the requirements of the French Language Services Act, the establishment of inappropriate administrative policies, guidelines and directives which are not in accordance with the French Language Services Act and criticism of the Premier, the Ontario Government, the Minister, the OFA and line ministries, and adversely affect the Ontario Government's relations with the Francophone community and other levels of government.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with OFA's senior management to provide information and make recommendations and to coordinate the preparation of planning documents. Regular contact with ministries to provide advice and clarification on statistical information on Ontario's Francophones; with central agencies regarding the integration of French-language services requirements in government initiatives, OFA's preparation of corporate documents, and in regards to the acquisition and distribution of statistical information.

Contact - External :

Regular contact with representatives of Ontario's Francophone community to clarify and respond to requests for statistical information and for information on the French Language Services Act, government French language services and the Francophone community and assess issues and gaps in the delivery of French-language services. Regular contact with Statistics Canada regarding demographic information. Occasional contact with Ontario's academic community to obtain data, investigate research options and discuss concerns with representatives of the federal government and other provincial and territorial governments to obtain and share information on the Ontario's Francophone community and French language services.