Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide quantitative analysis and research supporting policy development with respect to competitiveness, personal, corporate and payroll taxes, commodity taxes, the underground economy, pensions and Ontario's income support programs. This position undertakes and guides the development of quantitative models, computer simulations and web-based tools in support of policy development, conducts high caliber research, briefs senior management as required, serves as Acting Manager as required and provides support and guidance to junior staff.

Duties / Responsibilities :

In consultation with the Manager, Quantitative Design and Research Unit, and as part of a team, the position will be responsible for:

1. Policy Analysis

• Conducts leading-edge economic, statistical and quantitative research and analysis.
• Applies expert knowledge of relevant aspects of Ontario's tax, transfer and pension systems to assist in, or lead, development of quantitative computer models and methodologies to support policy development.
• Reviews analytical practices in other jurisdictions, assessing interactions, competitiveness and best practices.
• Designs, oversees the operation of, and / or operates quantitative computer models to estimate the economic impacts of new and existing government programs and tax policies on incidence, Ontario's finances, potential investment and growth.
• Explains, analyses and presents results from relevant literature and / or experiments using traditional media and interactive web-based technology.
• Identifies emerging issues and proposes innovative quantitative options and solutions.
• Works with other divisions, ministries, provincial counterparts and the federal government on quantitative, computational, data, presentation and modelling issues.
• Provides options and recommendations on new research tools, methodologies, data sources and management initiatives that would improve service delivery while developing divisional and interdivisional synergies.

2. Issue Management / Policy Development

• Develops written research and work plans, advises on appropriate analytical approaches consistent with needs, writes computer programs, performs numerical simulations and uses effective techniques to display data for decision makers.
• Prepares (or assists in the production of) submissions to Cabinet and its sub-committees, reports, briefing notes, papers, etc., to senior management, and the Minister.
• Ensures information is accurate and provided on a timely basis.
• Identifies emerging issues for the section, and advises manager.
• Manages several different high priority issues concurrently.

3. Leadership / Planning

• Provides leadership to junior staff by explaining tasks and monitoring progress both as a project head and as a senior Branch resource.
• Assumes full responsibility for development and outcomes, deciding on direction of work of junior economists and consultants.
• Ensures section maintains up-to-date knowledge with respect to areas of responsibility and advises manager of deficiencies and potential remedies.
• As team / research project leader, sets deadlines and edits material to ensure quality control.
• May assume role of acting manager, as required, including setting priorities and work plans.

4. Communication Responsibilities

• Writes briefing material, reports, correspondence, etc., in a clear, concise and well-organized manner, and according to proscribed formats.
• Ensures written material takes into account the target audience to determine both the appropriate level of technical detail and the tone of the material.
• Delivers oral presentations in a straightforward and understandable fashion.
• Ensures that research products are kept up-to-date and filed in the central files where appropriate.
• From time to time, deals with stakeholder, press, public inquiries in the unit's areas of responsibility in a concise and confident manner.

5. Liaison / Linkages

• Develops and maintains a network of contacts within the government, in academia and the private sector.
• Understands and acts upon the linkages between tax, transfer and pension issues and other issues on the provincial policy agenda.
• Consults with other staff in the Ministry of Finance and other ministries, where appropriate, on joint issues and projects.
• Provides advice on and / or initiates appropriate contacts within and outside of the Ontario government in order to support the policy / fiscal objectives of the government.

6. Branch Representation

• As a representative of the Strategic Quantitative Research Branch, participates in, and leads as requested, meetings or work teams with other ministries, other government staff and private sector groups.

Knowledge :

Demonstrated knowledge and or experience in economics, finance, statistics or related discipline. Demonstrated experience with econometric analysis including: multiple linear regression, non-linear regression, limited dependent and qualitative variable, neural-network and non-parametric regression models. Advanced skills in analytical, numerical and statistical analysis. Superior skills in computer modelling and its application to a broad range of policy areas. Knowledgeable of issues related to competitiveness, personal taxes, corporate taxes, commodity taxes, pension and income support programs. Enhanced interpersonal and project management skills. Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out assignments to deadlines in a fast paced and complex environment. Ability to work in a team setting. Knowledgeable of personal, server and web-based computing and related applications. Knowledge of government structure and policy processes. Excellent research and writing skills. Effective oral communication skills to convey quantitative issues and analysis in presentations to senior management. Able to develop and maintain important contacts in the public and private sectors, and to consistently meet deadlines, manage multiple issues and people while moving forward.

Judgement :

Work is carried out under limited direction of the Manager, Quantitative Design and Research Unit, who provides guidance in establishing terms of reference and expected output. Judgement is exercised in determining and applying research techniques, developing significant factors involved in a project, providing and presenting analysis and recommendations, and ensuring deadlines are met. Ensures that briefing material, correspondence, etc., correctly conveys prevailing government policy. The position exercises discretion and judgement in exchanging information with contacts in other ministries, governments and outside government.

Accountability - Programs :

Working to deadlines and deliverables, the position is directly accountable and responsible for the accuracy and quality of research, recommendations, analysis, and correspondence concerning the fiscal impact and effect on competitiveness of areas of policy. This will include: changes to, or, proposed new tax rates; tax base changes; elasticity of taxable income estimates; impact on effective tax rates of program proposals and provisions which substitute for, or, complement tax provisions. Areas of coverage include a program, or programs falling within the responsibilities of the Ministry of Finance, other ministries, municipalities, and / or the government of Canada. The position is also responsible and accountable for the actions of the members of a team or project being led by the incumbent relating to the project or deliverable from other units within the Branch, other policy branches, or other divisions. In this regard, the incumbent mentors junior staff on research, analytical, statistical and computation techniques where appropriate. The position is indirectly accountable and responsible for the use of research, analysis and tools provided to other policy areas in the Ministry.

Accountability – Personnel :

Participates as a member of a team in order to realize joint goals and objectives. Participates as a member of project teams composed of individuals from other branches and / or Divisions. Provides mentorship and guidance to junior staff, assigns work and provides input to the manager on performance plans.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Proactively researches and identifies alternative approaches to achieve required goals in the most cost effective manner; always considers financial stewardship implications of advice and suggestions.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Recognized throughout the ministry as an expert in quantitative, research and simulation methodologies, errors in judgement, interpretation, analyses, and recommendations could result in poor policy advice, loss of Branch credibility and embarrassment to the Minister and the government.

Contact - Internal :

Regular contact with staff in the policy areas, and other divisions in the Ministry to obtain and exchange information to enhance the quantitative and research products of the Branch, and create linkages between these other areas. Regular contact with senior management, the Deputy Minister, the Deputy's staff and occasionally the Minister of Finance.

Contact - External :

Frequent contact with academic experts, the financial community, international organizations, municipal, federal, other provincial / state government staff, private sector stakeholders, consultants, the media and the public to provide, exchange information / collect data. May represent Ontario at inter-provincial, federal-provincial, or municipal-provincial meetings.