Job Specification

Purpose of Position :

To provide leadership for a large, diverse program portfolio, which is part of a rationalised system of social service programs within a designated region of the province. To provide planning, resource management, and project leadership to facilitate the attainment of program objectives and excellent customer service. To assist, represent, and act on behalf of the Regional Director as required.

Duties / Responsibilities :

Working in a large, decentralized and diverse Region with a catchment area that includes; four municipalities, four countries and over 130 community agencies, the position:

1. Manages resources of the assigned portfolio in harmony with other program units to meet objectives established for service delivery/system management, and to plan customer service activities which meet or exceed established standards: - Directly and indirectly manages staff represented by two bargaining agents, including recruitment and hiring, training and development, handling staff discipline, responding to grievances and labour relations issues, chairing Stage 2 grievances, granting time off, performance management (including succession planning), assigned HR tasks using WIN Manager's Suite. - Through subordinate staff, monitors the implementation of programs, policies and application of legislation in assigned portfolio; - Manages the development and ongoing monitoring of the Region's direct service programs and transfer payment service system to ensure they meet the Ministry core business plan and program requirements; - Provide risk assessment advice and develops communication strategies for the Regional Director on Change management issues, affecting both the transfer payment funded and direct service programs; - Approves service contract submissions in relation to legislation, policy, program and resource requirements.

2. Provides support and leadership for major Ministry Initiatives: - Participates on task forces, projects, research working groups; - Manages pilot projects and provides sound evaluative analysis on new initiatives; - Provides leadership and co-operative participation to various other governmental or non-governmental organizations to develop improved partnerships that promote the delivery of social services to meet the needs of citizens; - Assumes the Regional Director's role, as requested, at the corporate and community level; - Develops and fosters inter ministerial approaches in program design, development and delivery; - Co-ordinates/participates in developmental outreach to agencies to provide public education; - Liaises with corporate managers to ensure program delivery according to Ministry expectations.

3. Plans and forecasts resource requirements to implement program changes to meet service delivery needs and to operationalize strategic directions and long-term plans, including: recommending allocation of resources (financial, human resources, and physical); recommending and implementing program delivery modifications as necessary; and ensuring that responsiveness to services adequately supports Ministry clients: - Develops and maintains mechanisms for communication strategies and identifies/resolves labour relations implications (including alternative service delivery), issues management and project management; - Develops and monitors the Regions's Management Plan for the assigned program portfolio; - Oversees the development and maintenance of comprehensive accountability mechanisms, monitoring and evaluation processes for programs and services to ensure legislative compliance, service levels, standards and results are met.

Knowledge :

Position requires in-depth knowledge of the theories and practices related to: governance models of community service organizations including charitable, government and private sector agencies; community consultation approaches; labour relations and human resources management. Position also requires extensive knowledge of a wide range of legislation/policies/guidelines, project management, social service/income support programs and their relationship to the development of a comprehensive range of services. Detailed knowledge and understanding of financial procedures is necessary. Position requires highly developed communication and interpersonal skills. Sound organizational and management abilities are necessary to ensure that changing government and Regional needs are assessed and that the Region's work plans and forecasts are redesigned to reflect changing policies, priorities and needs guaranteeing that the integrity of the various programs is maintained. Extensive planning, negotiation, communication and report writing skills are required to prepare, review and approve contentious issue reports, position paper, etc.

Judgement :

Planning, developing, monitoring, evaluating and controlling all programs within the assigned social services portfolio; the programs for which consultation is provided are very broad, extensive and encompass all services in the Region. Position is responsible for implementing a comprehensive review, monitoring and evaluation program for the Region. Position initiates and co-ordinates appropriate training and development plans for staff and participates in the formulation of Regional goals, objectives, program initiatives, budget development and management plans. Position is responsible for the administration and delivery of Regional services in the absence of the Regional Director. Incumbent of the position is a member of the Regional Management Team.

Accountability - Programs :

Planning, developing, monitoring, evaluating and controlling all programs within the assigned social services portfolio; the programs for which consultation is provided are very broad, extensive and encompass all services in the Region. Position is responsible for implementing a comprehensive review, monitoring and evaluation program for the Region. Position initiates and co-ordinates appropriate training and development plans for staff and participates in the formulation of Regional goals, objectives, program initiatives, budget development and management plans. Position is responsible for the administration and delivery of Regional services in the absence of the Regional Director. Incumbent of the position is a member of the Regional Management Team.

Accountability – Personnel :

Human Resources: Varies by assigned portfolio. directly supervises up to 5 Program Supervisors and 1 to 12 subordinates management positions. through the latter, indirectly supervises up to 170 direct service staff in a variety of program areas, such as ODSP, Special Services and Community Programs. Subordinate staff may be located in a number of separate office locations.

Accountability - Finance and Materials :

Position is accountable for reviewing, monitoring and approving large budget (in millions) for assigned transfer payment programs, management plans and budgets to ensure they are integrated , rationalized and consistent for the Region. Position formulates and administers the designated portfolio's approved direct operating expenses budget, including staff training, travel expenses, supply and services, where applicable. Incumbent of position has full signing authority for subsidy claims and has other signing authority as delegated by the Regional Director. As a member of the Regional Management Team, participates in the development and management of the overall Regional budget.

Accountability - Impact of Errors :

Infective planning, leadership and management of social service programs would have a serious impact on the effectiveness of services that the Region is responsible for, potentially resulting in legal action against the ministry/province and criticism by the media and public. Inappropriate financial planning and fiscal mismanagement could result in deterioration of necessary services or unavailability of funds for committed ministry programs. Mismanagement of staff issues would result in poor moral. potential labour relations unrest and high turnover. Errors in judgement could have a highly visible impact on the ability of the Region/Ministry to deliver committed programs and services.

Contact - Internal :

Regularly with the Regional Director, HR Manager, Business Manager, Direct Service Supervisors, Program Supervisors and other staff, regional counterparts and other senior Ministry staff, to exchange information and resolve problems.

Contact - External :

Regularly with community organizations, senior government officials and politicians to exchange views, research information, develop new services. As requested by the Regional Director and his/her staff, with senior managers of municipal and transfer payment agencies to provide specialized advice resolve difficult problems, implement needed new programs to ensure program capability or to undertake joint ventures with other ministries or other levels of government. Committees: Participates/chairs various task forces and committees, both internal and at community level, i.e. Local Employee Relations Committee (LERC); Regional Management Team; others as required on behalf of the Regional Director. Acts as management designee for OPSEU Stage 2 grievance meetings.