Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To lead, conduct and participate in policy research and analysis in support of the development of strategic funding policies, practices and performance standards for Ontario's health care delivery system.

Duties / Responsibilities :

1.Provides policy research, analysis, and support in the conceptualization, development and evaluation of innovative and strategic health funding policies, best practices and performance standards which address a range of funding, health economic and provincial economy issues impacting the province's strategic funding planning and decision making initiatives for Ontario's health system.
2. Conducts the research, monitoring, analysis and assessment of a broad range of funding policy issues, socio economic trends, incentive structures and directions, which affect the development of policies to inform health system funding decisions in Ontario. Conducts research, analysis and synthesis of health economic funding models, statistical and quantitative data, the research and analysis of funding policies in other jurisdictions including national and international best practices.
3. Conducts the research and analysis of health economic and expenditure demand forecasts, trends and impacts including sectoral reviews, economic pressures facing the health system, forecast of future demands, impact of policy changes and other relevant Information to support funding decision makers. Prepares policy, risk and economic impact analyses and develops policy recommendations and options. Assists in the coordination and preparation of Ministry policy papers and Ministry responses to issues/initiatives which cut across a number of Ministry areas.
4. Conducts research and prepares draft performance Indicators, analyses and reports on results of ministry funding performance and compliance to established policies.
5. Maintains contact with partners, conducts stakeholder consultations and provides funding policy advice to internal ministry stakeholders in support of funding policy development, best practices and standards development. Works with Funding Modelling Team colleagues to provide policy advice to inform the development of complex economic and funding models, and requirements for data.
6. Leads and/or participates on working groups comprised of branch/ministry colleagues and ministry stakeholders as part of a major policy initiative. Completes assigned project tasks, delegates activities as required, monitors project progress and ensures deadlines are met.
7. Participates on ministry and inter-ministerial committees and policy groups to represent the units interests and to support a coordinated approach to funding policy analysis and development. Prepares briefing notes, letters, presentations and position papers for senior management and in response to correspondence for the Minister's, Deputy Minister's, ADM's and senior officials' signature.

Knowledge :

Position requires knowledge and understanding of the policy process and understanding of policy and research tools (e.g. evidence development processes and strategies), policy analysis and development, knowledge of economic theories and statistical methods to lead, conduct and participate in policy research and analysis In support of the development of strategic funding policies, practices and performance standards for Ontario's health care delivery and to research, analyse and synthesize health economic funding models, statistical and quantitative data, the research and analysts of funding policies in other jurisdictions including national and International best practices. Knowledge of the health system, funding models, trends, and issues and concerns faced by health system stakeholders to ensure policies respond to specific funding, health economic and socio economic issues within the health system. Knowledge of government\ministry directions and priorities, Division mandate, and funding reform. Knowledge of performance standards and indicators for performance monitoring. Research skills to conduct the research, monitoring, analysis and assessment of a broad range of issues, trends and directions. Skills to access, utilize and interpret related funding, health economic and socio-economic issues in the Ontario, Canadian and International contexts. Knowledge of project management and protect leadership skills to provide effective project planning and implementation. Computer skills to access the internet as a research tool and to prepare own materials using various software programs. Oral and written communication and presentation skills to prepare and present research analyses, policy options and recommendations, and briefing papers; customizing communication to the needs of the audience. Relationship management and partnership building skills to increase cooperation and uptake of policy and standards by stakeholders, meet regularly with partners to keep them informed of new developments or continuing progress and to express positive expectations of the partners groups and their individual members.

Judgement :

Position works under the general direction of the Manager and/or Team Lead and within Division and Branch mandates, policy directions and ministry/government directions for Ontario's health system. Position exercises judgement in conducting research and analysts of various strategic health system funding Issues affecting policy development and policy recommendations. Judgement is exercised in leading working groups related to policy initiatives including researching issues, trends and directions, including socio-economic trends, incentive structures and directions. Judgement is exercised in developing and implementing information gathering techniques which are critical to effective data gathering for policy development and in synthesizing information to meet the funding policy development requirements for the branch which include the research, analysis and synthesis of health economic funding models, statistical and quantitative date, the preparation of policy, risk and economic impact analyses. Judgement is exercised in representing the Branch's interests and taking a coordinated approach to policy analysis and development when participating as a member of ministry/inter-ministerial committees and policy groups. Judgement is exercised in conducting stakeholder consultations and providing policy advice to internal ministry stakeholders in support of health system funding initiatives, policy development, best practices and standards. Judgement is exercised in working with Funding Modelling Team colleagues to provide funding policy advice to inform the development of complex economic and funding models, and requirements for data.

Accountability - Programs :

Provides policy research, analysis, and support in the conceptualization, development and evaluation of innovative and strategic health funding policies, best practices and performance standards which address a range of funding, health economic and provincial economy issues impacting the province's strategic funding planning and decision making initiatives for Ontario's health system. Prepares briefing notes, letters, presentations, position papers for the Minister's, DM's, ADM's and senior officials' signature.

Accountability – Personnel :

Leads assigned project and/or work teams within assigned projects. Oversees planning of resources, assignment of project tasks, monitoring of project progress and review of work to ensure standards and deadlines are met.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

n/a

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Ineffective policy research, analysis and recommendations would result in insufficient information to support policy development and government decision making in critical areas involving Ontario's strategic and sustainable funding initiatives, funding and economic decisions regarding Ontario's health care delivery system.

Contact - Internal :

Frequent contact with branch and division colleagues to lead policy working groups, discuss policy issues and participate on policy projects. Occasional contact with offices of the Minister and Deputy Minister and with the ADM to provide briefings. Regular contact with policy colleagues in other ministries by participating/leading ministry, inter-ministerial and inter-provincial committees to represent the unit's interests and take a coordinated approach to funding policy analysis and development.

Contact - External :

Regular contact with stakeholders (e.g., LHINs, health service providers) to conduct stakeholder consultations and provide strategic policy advice to internal ministry stakeholders in support of funding policy development, best practices and standards.