Job Specification

Purpose :

To co-lead – or as assigned by the Director, to lead – the development of policy approaches for new initiatives and to recommend policy and program development, including the identification and analysis of relevant issues that are critical to social entrepreneurship in Ontario. To provide strategic advice and co-lead/lead the management and conduct of research projects supporting the achievement of the Branch, Division and Ministry mandate and policy agenda.

Key Responsibilities :

The Social Enterprise Branch residing within the Open for Business Division of the Ministry of Economic Development, Employment and Infrastructure is responsible for the promotion of social entrepreneurship in Ontario. In doing so, the branch ensures close collaboration with OPS partner-ministries and agencies as well as internal and external key partners and stakeholders. Within a legislative and regulatory context and under the general supervision of the Director, Social Enterprise Branch, the position:
1. Policy Development:
• Co-leads/leads the development of policy approaches for new initiatives that impact social entrepreneurship in Ontario; reviews/analyzes documents such as Cabinet/TB policy submissions, public policy statements and other materials and either develops or assists the branch professional staff in the development of recommendations, options and strategies for the conceptualization, development and implementation of the branch key policy and program strategic priorities.
• Drafts and/or guides the preparation of papers, correspondence and briefing documents on a range of policy issues for review by branch, divisional and ministry senior executives; prepares additional briefing material and presentations on potential policy issues ensuring that corporate needs are met and reflected in material.
• Maintains a leading edge awareness of new policy and program developments, trends and directions that affect policy directions for social entrepreneurship in Ontario.
2. Research Projects:
• Conducts and, as assigned by the Director, leads research projects related to policy and program initiatives that support social enterprise in Ontario, including the analysis of political socio-economic trends, indicators and developments based on jurisdictional and industry practices, information, legislative and regulatory requirements.
• Co-leads/develops and implements project plans, objectives, timelines, deliverables and schedules; guides the team on the technical aspect of the work; coordinates daily project activities and progress; prepares analytical and finding reports, papers and recommends options to the Director on results affecting policy outcomes on programs/new initiatives, costs and best practices.
• Recommends new/alternate research techniques/methods, including scope, parameters, timelines, post-implementation and evaluation.
3. Policy Advisory Services / Issues Management:
• Coordinates the branch responses/approaches to issues management by: setting priorities of policy contentious issues for the Director, assessing the appropriateness of briefings ensuring that content, approach and messaging are within the corporate perspective.
• Provides issues resolutions by developing briefing materials, presentations and reports to support senior management response to policy and program development and implementation issues (including the identification of significant policy implications with a focus on policy analysis and development).
• Provides briefing and strategic advisory services to the Director on significant policy/program-related items (e.g., on key policy and program strategic priorities and research deliverables and findings); identifies and recommends solutions to mitigate issues and prevent negative impact on research projects and policy initiatives.
4. Communications / Consultation / Relationships Management:
• Acts as the focal point of contact, liaison and resource between the Director's office and all internal and external participating parties in: building and facilitating working relationships, coordinating policy activities, providing and seeking opinions, advice, information and input from all contributors; encouraging acceptance of the branch new program and policy initiatives and resolving issues.
• Represents the branch in presenting information and soliciting cooperation in policy development and research project functions from all internal and external contributors including senior levels; discusses and analyzes best practices ensuring timely and accurate information sharing.
• The Director has the right to assign additional responsibilities.

Knowledge / Skill :

The position requires Knowledge of and Skills in:
• Program and policy analysis, development and evaluation processes as well as the ministry/division/branch directions and priorities, to co-lead and/or as requested by the Director, develop policy approaches for new policy initiatives impacting social entrepreneurship in Ontario.
• The ministry and branch role with respect to social entrepreneurship in Ontario, Cabinet and TB roles as well as government decision-making process, to review/analyze documents such as Cabinet/TB policy submissions and to either co-lead or develop recommendations, options and strategies for the development and implementation of the ministry and branch key policy and program strategic priorities.
• Risk assessment and risk management principles and practices, to co-lead/lead the development of policy approaches for new initiatives including the development of recommendations, options and strategies taking into consideration significant policy, legislative/regulatory implications.
• Research and analytical methods and techniques; project management planning, methodologies, standards and processes as well as leadership skills, to: conduct/lead research projects including the compilation, interpretation and evaluation of data/information using qualitative and quantitative methods; co-lead/lead the development and implementation of project plans, objectives, timelines, deliverables, schedules; lead and guide project teams on the technical aspect of the work; coordinate daily project activities, track project progress, prepare and present finding reports.
• Contract management/tendering process, to participate in/prepare Requests for Proposals (RFP) for the retention of external expertise for projects.
• Communications skills, to act as the focal point of contact, liaison and resource between the Director's office, branch management teams, ADMO, ministry senior executives and their staff as well as external stakeholders; prepare a range of written resources including briefing notes, correspondence, presentations and other materials, as required.
• Computer proficiency, to prepare various written materials and to perform own work activities; Internet as a research tool to access/retrieve data and information.

Interpersonal / Influencing Skill :

• Consultation and relationship management skills, to build and facilitate relationships with all contributors; discuss issues impacting the branch work including, but not limited to the management of response to policy/program development and implementation; provide opinions, advice and seek input to policy and program initiatives.
• Consultation skills, to: act as a point of contact with all internal and external contributors in: analyzing and advising on policy requests and revisions; co-leading/leading projects/research initiatives and informing/advising on findings that involve change to policy and program initiatives as well as legislative/regulatory requirements.
• Influencing and consensus building skills, to: maintain strong relationships with all contributors and encourage acceptance of the branch new policy initiatives; present information and solicit cooperation in policy development and related research project functions.
• Presentation, interpersonal and influencing skills, to participate in corporate committee meetings to discuss the planning, review, development of policy approaches and strategies for new initiatives, policy/program proposals.

Analyzing / Problem Solving Skill :

Analytical and problem solving skills, to:
• Set priorities of policy-related contentious issues for the Director and assess the appropriateness of briefings (e.g., on potential policy and program review/development and change in legislation/regulations).
• Co-lead/lead, brief and provide strategic advice on the development of responses and approaches to policy issues management (e.g., identifies significant policy implications with a focus on policy analysis and development).
• Interpret/oversee the interpretation of research findings including trends analyses and developments as well as the compilation and analysis of data/information; and recommend solutions.
• Exercise political acuity and use strategic thinking to understand complex entrepreneurship matters, identify and assess key issues and deliver on policy priorities; review and analyze Cabinet and TB submissions, assist in/develop recommendations, options and strategies for the conceptualization, development and implementation of key policy and program strategic priorities.

Decision Making / Responsibility :

Responsible for:
• Reviewing, analyzing and coordinating the branch responses to a broad range of policy and program initiatives (e.g., coordinates policy approvals within the branch and monitors requests assigned to the branch).
• Reviewing and assessing policy materials (e.g., policy submissions submitted to Cabinet/TB), assisting in/developing recommendations, options and strategies for the conceptualization, development and implementation of the branch key policy and program strategic priorities).
• Ensuring the quality, reliability and viability of research findings and analysis conducted and for recommending –to the Director, options on results impacting policy outcomes on programs/new initiatives, costs and best practices.
• Providing accurate and timely technical analysis, advice, opinions and leadership to branch management teams and their staff on new initiatives –which impact on the ministry and government public policies and commitments.
Has latitude to:
• Prepare and provide briefings to the Director, ADM and other divisional and ministry senior executives on priorities and policy issues management relating to social entrepreneurship in Ontario and make recommendations on strategic policy options.
• Build and facilitate working relationships across the ministry and the province (e.g., seeks stakeholders opinions, encourages their acceptance of the branch new policy initiatives and resolves issues; solicits cooperation in policy research and other project-related functions).
• Handle competing priorities and demands for the research, review and analysis of policy issues.
• Prepare conclusions/reports on research findings, advise and recommend options involving the review/development of research/projects, policies, programs, legislation and regulations, as necessary.
The position works under the direction of the Director, Social Enterprise Branch, and exercises a high level of initiative and independence while performing work activities.
Decisions are guided by: provincial and ministry strategic directions for social entrepreneurship/business and economic development; the broad framework of the legislative and regulatory process; government and ministry policy directions, agenda and priorities as well as guidelines prescribed by Cabinet Office/TB.

Contacts / Stakeholder :

Internal:
• Divisional and branch senior management teams including ADMO and other ministry senior executives, internal key partners and stakeholders, to: provide analysis and expert advice on policy initiatives, present information and solicit cooperation for new initiatives and advise on the resolution of related issues/problems; reply to issue requests and requests for information; discuss projects, interpret research results.
• OPS partner-ministries, to develop and maintain strategic linkages and relationships on behalf of the branch/ministry, engage them in projects –as applicable; discuss research and research findings; facilitate inter-ministerial policy perspectives, issues analysis and consultations in support of social entrepreneurship in Ontario.
• Research teams, to provide leadership/guidance with respect to the technical aspect of the work.
External:
• Key partners and stakeholders across the province and other levels of government (e.g., federal and municipal), to build and facilitate strategic linkages and relationships with the ministry and branch as it relates to the promotion of social enterprise policies and new initiatives.
• Research firms/private jurisdictions, to seek advice, share information and discuss matters of mutual interest.
• External experts to be retained for projects/research, to answer questions on projects and research work.
Committee Work:
• Participates in intra/inter-ministerial corporate committee and stakeholder interest group meetings, to discuss the planning/review/development of policies, strategies, policy/program proposals and research projects and findings.
• Represents the branch and ministry in the planning and review of policy development approaches for new initiatives and related strategies.

Guidance / Supervision :

• Provides strategic analysis, advice and support to the Director on policy, programs and research-related matters.
• Provides technical leadership/guidance and expert advice to project teams on the technical aspect of the work.
• Co-leads/leads and provides expertise to internal and external stakeholders on policy development approaches for new initiatives related to the conceptualization/development/implementation of key policy and program strategic priorities.

Demands / Pressures :

Work Demands :

• Frequently required to: coordinate, monitor, track and analyze policy materials within short deadlines; respond to information and issue requests/proposals; deal with competing priorities and tight deadlines.

Mental / Sensory :

• Continuous requirement to concentrate when reviewing and coordinating policy documents and listening intently when participating in briefings.

Conditions / Environment :

• Work is performed in a typical office environment.