Job Specification

Purpose :

To provide economic analysis, fiscal policy analysis, support and advice to the Minister, Treasury/Management Board of Cabinet and senior management to support the government's fiscal strategy and policy priorities on a wide range of issues.
To serve as the key contact for client ministries to provide early warnings of economic, fiscal, program, risk assessment and policy issues and in communicating the government's economic and fiscal policy strategies.

Key Responsibilities :

Advice, Expertise and Issues Management:
Provides information, advice and consultative services to senior management within client ministries on fiscal, economic and related policy issues by commenting on draft Cabinet and Treasury/Management Board of Cabinet submissions and by serving as the key contact point for the Ministry.
Consults client ministries regarding spending plans in order for the Treasury Board Office to have a full understanding of the ministries' intentions and expectations regarding potential under/over spending and policy directions.
Develops reports for the divisional management and Treasury/Management Board of Cabinet on significant fiscal/budgetary issues.
Manages the annual and multi-year business planning, estimates and budget process for assigned ministries to ensure consistency in approach and compliance with corporate economic framework.
Economic Policy Research and Development:
Maintains awareness of new trends and policy developments, expenditure management, financial and economic analysis, business plan development, business case evaluation to ensure that management is kept informed of sector developments and their implications for the Ministry and/or government policy.
Prepares, coordinates and presents a range of briefing materials (e.g. technical reports and analyses, policy options/recommendations, sections of budget papers and Cabinet submissions, correspondence, memoranda, briefing notes) to facilitate decision-making by ministry senior management.
Leads and/or participates in policy analysis and developmental activities; provides policy and program expertise related to economic and fiscal policy strategy; leads teams to develop special initiatives and programs and coaches/guides toward improved qualitative/quantitative analysis; and reviews/edits work for submission to Cabinet and Treasury/Management Board to ensure achievement of timelines and quality assurance of materials developed.
Conducts analyses on major policy issues that impact current and projected multi-year business, financial and human resources related to business delivery to client ministries.
Assesses the impact of new policy/business initiatives at the government, corporate and ministry level
Consultation and Partnerships:
Develops and maintains networks with partners within own/other Ministries, central agencies, federal government, business executives and regional economic development agencies/organizations, to resolve potential conflicts/issues, and to consult/collaborate on proposed policies/programs, best practices, economic performance, competitiveness, technology, and short and long term financial forecasts.
Represents the Branch/ministry on intra/inter-ministry working committees, task forces. Provides interpretation and presents/explains ministry policies/programs and issues related to economic and fiscal policy.
Provides support and advice as a key liaison to client ministries related to the interpretation and application of business planning and estimates submission preparation guidelines and directives.
Serves as a key contact between the Treasury Board Office and the ministries in the position's assigned policy field, in communicating the government's fiscal strategy and policy priorities.

Knowledge / Skill :

Knowledge of and skill in:
Theory, principles and methodologies of economics, public finance and business administration as they relate to policy/program issues impacting on government economic and fiscal policy, assess and present accurate/reliable economic statistics and corporate financial data and to assess the impact of budget and Cabinet proposals and initiatives.
Policy and program development principles/techniques and government decision making processes including the role of central agencies and line ministries to lead and/or participate in the development of policy/program options/proposals.
Provincial and ministry strategic directions with respect to the Province's economy and related issues, policies, programs, governing legislation and regulatory structures to ensure that ministry business objectives and the provincial agenda are effectively considered in the development of policy and/or the evaluation of impacts, and to provide strategic policy advice and interpretation to senior management and stakeholders.
Research and economic/statistical analysis principles and techniques, to conduct research projects and complex qualitative/quantitative analysis involving a range of microeconomic, financial and regulatory factors and to develop comparative analysis options, impacts, policies and best practices.
Oral and written communications top respond to issues, provide recommendations, prepare reports, briefing materials and correspondence and contribute to the development of Cabinet submissions and to represent the ministry on intra/inter-ministerial task forces/working committees mandated to discuss policy proposals, economic performance competitiveness, issues and concerns.
Computer applications for word processing, spreadsheets, graphics and databases to prepare briefing materials, presentations, correspondence and support research and policy/program development activities and prepare reports.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

Relationship and Partnership management to establish key stakeholder linkages as the key contact with ministries, federal/central agencies, and private sector representatives to exchange information, provide advice on policy strategies and priorities and discuss the impact of government policies.
Consensus building and negotiation skills to gain support for ministry policy and program initiatives from other ministries, to resolve issues and to develop a coordinated position of issues affecting the provincial economy.
Consultation skills to ensure that the information and advice provided to Treasury/Management Board of Cabinet, Minister and senior management is consistent with government policy.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analyzing and problem solving skills to:
Analyze policy and programs in the development of the corporate-led expenditure management processes and in advising on appropriate course of action on specific initiatives.
Provide interpretation and application of government business planning and estimates submissions to client ministries.
Interpret economic data to contribute analytical expertise into the development of policy/program regulations.
Identify emerging microeconomic/financial issues, trends, development, technologies and international competitiveness factors impacting the economic sector, and provide advice, interpretation and technical expertise to senior management on supporting analytical and research findings.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

This position is responsible for:
Providing economic analysis, fiscal policy advice and expertise to senior management that may impact cabinet decisions, the budget and funding allocations for research and innovation programs in other ministry jurisdictions.
Identifying issues that require policy response within the framework of the branch policy/program directions, policy guidelines and overall ministry strategic directions and priorities.
Evaluating impacts of new and existing government policies, programs, business cases/plans and expenditure management reviews and other initiatives from line ministries, the federal government and other provinces and territories.
Serving as a key contact with client ministries and Treasury Board Office to provide advice relate to the interpretation and application of business planning and estimates submission preparation guidelines and directives and communicating government fiscal strategy and priorities.
Has latitude to provide financial and economic advice and guidance to client ministries and to management; identify and recommend economic, fiscal and regulatory policy/program options to the Minister, Treasury/Management Board of Cabinet and determine research scope for developing policy options and program development.
Decision- making is guided by the framework of Ministry policies and procedures relating to economic, fiscal and budgetary policy.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Deputy Minister, management and ministry staff to advise on how to handle sensitive information and provide information briefings on key issues that effect the ministry.
Senior staff in other ministries and other central agencies to exchange information and provide interpretation, explanation and advice regarding issues related to fiscal policy initiatives.
Economic experts, financial community and other provincial or federal officials to research, obtain, exchange and discuss financial and economic information and business practices.

Guidance / Supervision :

Leads project teams composed of individuals from other branches, divisions and central agencies and line staff.
Provides guidance to colleagues and senior level staff.
Provides advice and information on current and proposed policy and program to client ministries.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

Frequently required to respond to requests within short deadlines where time pressures result in the need to occasionally work beyond normal work hours for response to information requests.
Frequently required to deal with deadlines which are subject to change without notice, priorities that are not anticipates or contentious.

Mental / Sensory :

Continuous requirements to concentrate when reading materials, analyzing fiscal/economic data, documents and research and when drafting reports, briefing notes and policy related materials.
Frequent requirement to listen intently when attending meetings, seeking input from stakeholders and maintaining accurate records from meetings and multi-stakeholder consultations, to provide information to the Minister and senior management.

Conditions / Environment :

Work is performed in a typical office environment.