Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To support the Infrastructure Economics and Finance Branch and the Infrastructure Finance Unit in the development and implementation of provincial infrastructure policies and programs as well as large-scale and multi-jurisdictional projects and initiatives. To conduct complex strategic policy, financial analysis, policy development and related strategies that support the development of provincial infrastructure policies and programs and to contribute to the development of such policy and financial advice for Senior Management within the Ministry, Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees on the provincial government's capital planning and allocation process. To manage concurrent complex research projects. To consult with numerous critical internal and external partners and stakeholders, including committee work and complex issues management.

Duties / Responsibilities :

The Infrastructure Finance Unit, as a part of the Infrastructure Policy and Planning Division (IP&PD), is responsible for developing new approaches to capital investment strategies and allocation issues and for economic modeling and analysis related to infrastructure finance and procurement. Areas of coverage include infrastructure programs delivered by line ministries, transfer partners, and cost-share partners such as the federal government, municipalities and private sector proponents.

The incumbent will, on an as-needed basis, be deployed as a resource to conduct assigned projects and/or support cross-functional project/team work across the Branch and the Division while still reporting directly to the assigned Manager. In this context, and reporting to the Manager, Infrastructure Finance Unit, the position:

1.Assesses the impact of initiatives and the development of strategies and provincial public policies and/or policy options through the management of research projects and analysis related to environmental scanning, economic and financial analysis (e.g., current, emerging, and anticipated sectors' information requirements, jurisdictional practices, trends, and environmental scan on issues). Manages capital needs assessment, modeling and forecasting as well as capital data acquisition and analysis. Determines research scope, parameters, research methods, terms of reference, timelines, communications, post-implementation, and evaluation. Provides technical direction to project staff, prepares and submits final reports, presents commentary and advises Senior Management on the policy implications of recommendations, including the presentation of special reports, regulatory options, policy options and impact studies.

2.Assesses the impact of research, analysis and the development of policy options and strategies, develops and/or guides the development of new policies or the review of existing policies and strategies, as required. Presents conclusions and recommendations, including alternate strategies associated with possible policy or regulatory alternatives to the Minister, DM, ADM, Chair of Treasury Board, Management Board of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees. Provides expert, strategic, and authoritative advice to Senior Management and staff on infrastructure policy and planning initiatives.

3.Provides expertise to Ministry Senior Management on government's and Ministry's priorities and developments and the Cabinet Committee process (e.g., support the development and negotiation of agenda items for Cabinet Committees or Senior Management, prepares briefings and proposed decision minutes for Cabinet Committees or Senior Management). Provides active responses on line ministries' issues affecting the Ministry, including research on new legislation, program initiatives, etc., and prepares working papers for review, presentation and discussion. Interprets policies and legislation (e.g., the Financial Administration Act).

4.Provides strategic advice with respect to technical and socio-economic impacts and considerations of policy planning issues (e.g., advises on and guides economic, financial and related-planning issues, policy implications and options developed by line ministries or the Federal government; contributes to the negotiation of funding agreements with other levels of government, the establishment and roll out of infrastructure programs in assigned sectors, and advises on projects and proposals being/to be considered for funding, etc.). Prepares agreements, policy documents, supporting documentation and/or briefing materials. Contributes to the development and implementation of the Ministry's strategic and Branch's work plans as well as IT and data plans (e.g., recommends on policy/program implementation strategies, suggests alternate strategies associated with possible policy or regulatory alternatives; proposes regulations).

5.Establishes and monitors linkages, develops partnerships and working relationships between the Unit, the Branch, the Division, the Ministry, and external partners and stakeholders. Consults/participates in consultation and engagement processes on a broad range of jurisdictions to gain and/or maintain support for projects/initiatives and to promote an understanding of project objectives, limitations and timeframes. Coaches line ministries on sharpening their capital planning and needs forecasting, business case development, long-term asset management and post-implementation performance measurement skills. Represents the Ministry, and on an as-needed basis, chairs corporate management committees, meetings and work groups on behalf of the Manager.

6.Prepares and presents specialized briefings and presentations on policy options and recommendations to Ministry senior executives, including the Minister's Office, other ministries and stakeholders. Prepares other materials such as reports, correspondence, recommendations, tables, technical briefing notes, presentations and contributes to the preparation of communications products, as required.

7.Plans, develops and implements relevant infrastructure processes, tools, and information systems (e.g., the integrated capital decision-making system for Cabinet Committees or Senior Management; the tracking system for consolidation and the safe maintenance of research findings; etc.).

8.Supports strategic financial planning by developing submissions for the RbP process and the annual provincial budget, as required. Prepares, and on an as-needed basis, guides the preparation of RFP for the selection and acquisition of external expertise, negotiates and manages contractual agreements, monitors service level relationships and provides input into vendors' performance.

9.Identifies issues and events that could have significant policy implications and coordinates recommendations and options developed by more junior staff/project staff and stakeholders for consideration by Senior Management. Liaises with sectors, line ministries, other levels of government and other jurisdictions, to effectively monitor trends and developments in sectors. Demonstrates sensitivity to issues being faced at the Minister and Deputy Minister levels and the impact on decision-making affecting areas of infrastructure policy of interest to the Ministry.

The Manager has the authority to assign additional responsibilities.

Knowledge :

Expert knowledge in economics and statistics, public administration, or a related discipline as well as microeconomic theory, public finance economics, business administration or a related discipline, in order to: survey, research and develop solutions and options for public policy related to knowledge infrastructure; analyze data, provide in-depth analysis, interpret findings, and develop recommendations for programs and strategies.

Knowledge of infrastructure sectors to be able to recognize emerging issues in assigned area of infrastructure policy of interest to the Ministry.

Excellent knowledge of the Ministry's and government's strategic directions, priorities, issues and challenges faced by the sectors, as well as the government's decision-making, policy development processes and key infrastructure policy areas, to: provide strategic advice with respect to technical and socio-economic impacts and considerations of policy planning issues; assess the impact of initiatives and the development of strategies and provincial public policies and/or policy options; assess the impact of research, analysis and the development of policy options and strategies.

Knowledge of the Ministry's role, mandate and business principles, the government's program and evaluation processes as well as regulatory and legislative framework, to: understand the Ministry's role as owner and how it guides relationship management with partners and stakeholders; provide interpretation of provincial legislation and the formulation of recommendations, strategies, and policy options, ensuring that legislative/regulatory requirements are met.

Knowledge of the government's capital planning and allocation processes, to conduct complex strategic policy, financial analysis, policy development and related strategies that support the development of provincial infrastructure policies and programs in support of the provincial government's capital planning and allocation process.

Budget, financial management and procurement & tendering processes, to: participate in the financial planning process, including the development of submissions for the RbP process and the annual provincial budget (as required); advise on expenditures of public funding within the amounts appropriated by the Legislature (e.g., to track and report Ministry capital expenditures); prepare, and on an as-needed basis, guide the preparation of RFPs for the acquisition of external expertise.

Strong project management, leadership and research methodologies and techniques, to: manage research projects from start to completion (e.g., analysis related to environmental scanning, economic and financial analysis, the management of capital needs assessment, modeling and forecasting as well as capital data acquisition and analysis).

Superior analytical, strategic thinking and issue management, to: provide advanced policy and financial advice and make recommendations to the Minister, Chair of Treasury Board/Management Board of Cabinet and Cabinet Committees on line ministries' issues affecting the Ministry, including research of new legislation/regulations, program initiatives, economic and environmental trends and work of other jurisdictions.

Oral and written communications, consultation, presentation, relationship and stakeholder management, to: advise senior executives, up to and including the Minister, DM, ADM, TB/MBC, Cabinet Office, and Cabinet Committees, on matters within the powers or duties of TB involving the province's capital plan, capital budget and financial allocations to ministries; develop and maintain networks of credible contacts; build and maintain positive and trusting working relationships; prepare various and complex written materials; make presentations to senior executives; represent the Ministry/Branch, and/or on an as-needed basis, chair inter/intra-ministerial and external corporate meetings, committees and working groups.

Negotiation and persuasiveness, to: manage consultation and engagement processes on a broad range of jurisdictions to gain and/or maintain support for projects/initiatives and to promote an understanding of project objectives, limitations and timeframes.

Advances in technology and their relationship to information access as well as computer-based quantitative skills, to undertake and interpret analysis, prepare various reports, presentations, papers, correspondence, briefing materials, etc., and communicate electronically, preferably in a policy and/or investment decision-making environment (e.g., systems, software and networks such as MS Office, Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Internet, Intranet and e-mail).

Judgement :

The position works under the general direction of the Manager, Infrastructure Finance Policy, and within the broad framework of the OPS and Ministry's legislation/regulations, policy frameworks, guidelines, and procedures related to program and policy development and evaluation processes related to infrastructure.

The position has wide latitude for independent decision-making in an area of on-going demands and conflicting priorities where the Manager is often unavailable to provide guidance and/or direction.

Judgement is required in presenting policy advice to the Minister, Treasury Board/ Management Board of Cabinet, and other official decision-makers.

The position exercises judgement in managing research projects and analysis related to environmental scanning, economic and financial analysis from start to completion, including setting priorities and achieving supportable results on time.

Judgement is exercised in developing the professional expertise, technology and methodology required to provide expert and authoritative advice on the acquisition, management, analysis and application of data on capital investment and capital performance, and in the provision of policy advice arising from the analysis.

Judgement is required in determining the validity and accuracy of data and information applied in modeling, in order to support policy alternatives. Judgement is required to set priorities and to achieve supportable results on time.

The position exercises judgement in the development and refinement of products and the provision of advice on appropriate courses of action.

Judgement is required in articulating the Ministry's and government's/corporate interests and advancing its policy agenda when liaising with other central agencies, line ministries, the broader public sector and external infrastructure partners and stakeholders, and therefore, assesses the broad economic and policy environment at a provincial level (e.g., the position assesses the impact of research, analysis and the development of policy options and strategies).

The position determines the appropriate course of action to be recommended or pursued by senior executives, where often, guidelines are limited or no precedents exist (e.g., advice given to the Minister, DM, ADM, the Chair of Treasury Board, Management Board of Cabinet, the Secretary of TB/MBC, CO, Cabinet Committees and line ministries on the adequacy of implementation of capital plans and budgets approved or provided for by the Legislature). Other advice given to senior executives relates to matters within the powers or duties of TB (e.g., under Sections 1.0.5 (1) a, b, c, e, and f of the Financial Administration Act, 2010, which in this case, involves the province's capital plan, capital budget and financial allocations to Ministries).

The position negotiates highly visible and politically sensitive issues and projects, and as a result, must exercise considerable judgment while making recommendations on a particular course of action or solution within general established frameworks and practices.

Judgement is also exercised in participating in discussions with other levels of government, other jurisdictions, the sectors, and in representing the Ministry (or on an as-needed basis) chairing corporate committees, meetings and work groups.

The incumbent must be fully aware of the sensitive and confidential nature of the material with which it works and is responsible for following procedures to ensure that the material is protected and remains confidential.

Accountability - Programs :

The position is accountable for the accuracy and quality of data and analysis of less experienced team and project members concerning provincial and partner infrastructure policy and assets. Areas of coverage include infrastructure programs delivered by line ministries, transfer partners, and cost-share partners such as the federal government, municipalities and private sector proponents. The position is accountable for participating in the infrastructure planning process, including contributions of staff teams. Recommendations relate to provincial and corporate strategic planning activities and have an impact on the implications of proposals for capital planning relating to education and research infrastructure province-wide.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

The position is responsible for developing complex economic analysis to support decision-making by Senior Management and government officials. The position also develops submissions for the RbP process and the annual provincial budget (as required). The position prepares, and on an as-needed basis, guides the preparation of RFPs for the acquisition of external expertise, negotiates, and manages contractual agreements.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Decisions directly impact on the ability of the Minister, Deputy Minister, Assistant Deputy Minister and Treasury Board, Management Board of Cabinet, Cabinet Office, and Cabinet Committees to achieve the Ministry's and government's public commitments and be fully accountable with respect to policy development, economic analysis, capital planning, and TB support for education and research infrastructure. The impact of decisions is internal and external and has a significant impact on public policy in Ontario.

The incumbent is accountable for ensuring the accuracy and completeness of data and information that affects decisions made by the Minister, the Deputy Minister, and other Ministry Senior Management.

Failure to reach sound conclusions would result in faulty and non-defensible policy recommendations would harm the credibility of the Ministry and waste time and resources in correcting such errors (e.g., causing friction between the Ministry and all internal and external stakeholders, embarrassing the Minister, therefore, attracting criticism and causing vulnerability).

Failure to identify and properly manage issues could affect capital planning, result in increased inefficiencies in sectors and damage the integrity and credibility of the Ministry.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with the Branch, Division and Ministry officials, including the offices of the Minister, ADM, DM, Treasury Board, Management Board of Cabinet, Cabinet Office, Cabinet Committees, as well as line ministries and agencies, to: consult and gain support for projects/initiatives; discuss and resolve issues; provide, as a recognized subject matter expert, policy advice; obtain and exchange information/data; discuss matters of mutual interest. The position represents the Ministry, and on an as-needed basis, chairs corporate management committees, meetings and work groups on behalf of the Manager.

Contact - External :

Regular contact, with officials in the private sector, the Ontario broader public sector, the federal government, municipalities, municipal agencies and associations, non-profit organizations, other provincial and national jurisdictions, and international organizations, to: discuss infrastructure policy and planning issues; exchange information and maintain liaison; represent the Ministry and/or the Branch at external corporate meetings and committees. On an as-needed basis, chairs such committees and meetings. Contacts, on an as-needed basis, with external consultants, to discuss/negotiate contractual agreements.