SENIOR POLICY AND ISSUES ADVISOR

The Office of the Deputy Minister's Office, Accessibility, Francophone Affairs and Seniors Affairs is seeking a dynamic professional with excellent consultation and leadership skills.

In this role, you will provide policy leadership and expertise to the Deputy Minister (DM), the Executive Advisor to the DM, the Ministry of Francophone Affairs (MFA) and the minister's office staff by means of policy analysis, strategic advice and recommendations regarding French Language Services related policies, initiatives and issues in alignment with the strategic objectives and priorities of the ministry.

You will also be responsible for coordinating contentious and politically sensitive issues, conducting briefings and recommending options for issue resolution.

What can I expect to do in this role?

What can I expect to do in this role?
In this role, you will:
• Provide policy leadership, relationship management and coordination across a wide range of policy files within assigned portfolio.
• Provide analysis of draft/existing legislation and policies to identify policy options, contentious issues and potential misalignment with government and ministry priorities
• Review policy documents and briefings materials as well as communications packages and identify ways to strengthen the content
• Provide policy interpretations and write briefing materials, Cabinet notes, House notes and backgrounder information
• Analyse and summarize materials to ensure key points are brought to the attention of the Deputy Minister and the Executive Advisor to the DM and identify linkages with other corporate and government initiatives
• Maintain awareness of the developments, trends, issues, new information/knowledge, and advancement related to FLS and the Francophone community in order to proactively address any emerging issues
• Provide strategic advice, consultation, and policy and program expertise on policy, legislative and program recommendations and on the development of policy and program delivery options, implementation and operational policies
• Support the minister's participation at Cabinet and Cabinet committees by reviewing and evaluating ministry policy proposals and making recommendations to address issues of concern
• Identify threats and opportunities that may impact the Francophone community and stakeholders, and prepare options to avoid/mitigate or take advantage of such threats/opportunities
• Prioritize, anticipate and identify emerging policy or contentious issues and trends with potential implications for the MFA and develop options to address the issues
• Work with program areas, the Minister's Office and Cabinet Office to advance policy priorities and resolve issues with potential impacts on the delivery of government/ministry priorities.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• You are proficient in English and in oral and written French at the Advanced-Plus level

Business Knowledge:

• You are able to interpret and apply the French Language Services Act.
• You are familiar with related regulations, guidelines and policies and other relevant cross-governmental legislation that impacts the scope of activity of the Ministry of Francophone Affairs
• You are familiar with legislation, policies, programs and stakeholders in Ontario and other jurisdictions that impact the Francophone community
• You have an understanding of the protocols and practices of an executive office and its relationship to the Minister's Office, Deputy Minister's Offices, Assistant Deputy Minister's Offices, Cabinet Office, Premier's Office, Legal Services, other ministries and central agencies, to coordinate information flow

Technical Knowledge and Skills:

• You have knowledge of the policy/legislative process, government decision making processes and protocols, policy research and development processes
• You have knowledge of the legislative rules, procedures and processes to lead and/or participate in the development of legislation, strategies, policies, and program frameworks and standards that meet strategic objectives related to FLS delivery in the province
• You have knowledge of policy development principles and techniques to discern complex policy, program and financial/economic impact issues
• You know program analysis/evaluation techniques to assess the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs and to provide recommendations on policy and program delivery and accountability frameworks

Project Management and Research Skills:

• You have knowledge of project management techniques to plan and conduct research studies, undertake analysis of trends, and evaluation of best practices, options, costs, and impacts, and to plan and coordinate projects
• You are able to lead, plan, set goals, and connect all inter-dependencies between divisions and offices to meet timelines and facilitate technical and strategic approaches
• You have excellent research and analytical techniques for issues management and strategic planning skills to identify current and emerging issues within the context of the political environment and the government's policy direction in order to assess options

Communication and Relationship Management Skills:

• You have excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and French (orally and in writing at the Advanced-Plus level)
• You can provide support on issues management activities, provide recommendations, prepare reports, review Cabinet submissions, prepare briefing materials, policy and procedural documents and correspondence
• You are able to represent the Deputy Minister's Office on ministry or inter-ministry committees mandated to discuss policy proposals, issues and concerns
• You have strong consultation and negotiation skills to develop key linkages with staff in the Office of the Minister, Deputy Ministers, Cabinet Office as well as senior staff within the ministry, to gain support for policy, legislation and program initiatives

Computer Skills:

• You are proficient with Microsoft software programs and tools for word processing, spreadsheets, graphics and databases
• You are able to research and prepare own materials such as briefing notes, presentations, reports, correspondence, and support research and policy development activities and track briefings, materials and information flow

All external applicants (including former employees of the Ontario Public Service) applying to a competition in a ministry or Commission public body must disclose (either in the cover letter or resume) previous employment with the Ontario Public Service. Disclosure must include positions held, dates of employment and any active restrictions as applicable from being rehired by the Ontario Public Service. Active restrictions can include time and/or ministry-specific restrictions currently in force, and may preclude a former employee from being offered a position with the Ontario Public Service for a specific time period (e.g. one year), or from being offered a position with a specific ministry (either for a pre-determined time period or indefinitely). The circumstances around an employee's exit will be considered prior to an offer of employment.

Remember: The deadline to apply is Friday, September 29, 2017 11:59 pm EDT. Late applications will not be accepted.

We thank you for your interest. Only those selected for further screening or an interview will be contacted.