Do you have experience in managing strategic research initiatives in a growing and dynamic environment?
Are you seeking a role where you can assess academic and community research to foster innovation and inform social policy development?
The Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services is seeking a Manager, Rapid Research and Knowledge Mobilization to provide policy research and strategic leadership to advance the Ministry's research agenda and mandate for change.
Experience the rewards of improving the lives of individuals and making a lasting difference in the well-being of communities across Ontario.
The
Ontario Public Service (OPS) is one of the largest employers in the province, employing more than 60,000 people. Every day we are modernizing government operations and improving public services. We have a wide range of meaningful and rewarding career opportunities in communities across Ontario. We welcome new ideas and new people, encourage learning and development, and reward achievement. No matter the position, we live the core values of trust, fairness, diversity, excellence, creativity, collaboration, efficiency and responsiveness.
What a career in the OPS can offer you: The OPS is committed to be an employer of first choice, creating a positive and inclusive work environment. In addition to flexible work arrangements, collegial and professional work culture, career growth and development and on-the-job training to help you succeed, we offer a competitive total compensation package, which includes an attractive salary, defined benefit pension plan, comprehensive health and dental plan and much more.
Our team:The Policy Research and Insights Branch is responsible for assessing academic and community research, and evaluating and synthesizing evidence based on insights drawn from data analytics and trends. The Branch also collaborates across Ministry teams in the development of a strategic research agenda, mobilizing knowledge of policy best practices and fostering innovation and calculated risk-taking in social policy development. The Branch fosters a long-term and future-orientation to policy work by collaborating across Ministry teams in the development of a strategic research agenda. The evidence and insights from the Branch support the full range of policy development, alignment and delivery planning work of the Strategic Policy Division.
How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility
The OPS is an innovative, responsive and accountable public service that works hard to be diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, merit-based, and equitable. Diversifying leadership is a top priority for the OPS. Our goal is to achieve parity with the Ontario labour force by 2025 for the most under-represented groups (Indigenous, racialized and persons with disabilities) on our leadership teams.
The OPS invites all interested individuals to apply. As an organization that promotes equity and diversity, the OPS encourages applications from Indigenous, Black, racialized individuals, and persons with disabilities.
The OPS is an accessible employer and we offer accommodation in all aspects of employment, including the recruitment process.
Visit the
OPS Anti-Racism Policy, the
OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint, and the
Multi-Year Accessibility Plan to learn more about the OPS commitment to advancing racial equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion in the public service.
About the job
You will lead the
Rapid Research and Knowledge Mobilization Unit in managing research initiatives and fostering knowledge exchange activities. In this role, you will:
•Lead a team of professionals to conduct strategic research and analysis in support of the ministry's strategic planning, and policy and program development
•Manage the development of a strategic, cross-disciplinary and cross-functional research and knowledge mobilization plan
•Lead the production of research reports and presentations that facilitate executive decision making and planning for future-fit policy projects and initiatives
•Build and maintain networks and strong linkages with ministry offices, teams across various ministries, and external academic, think tank, and community sector experts
•Promote equitable practices that foster anti-racism, diversity and inclusion, and embed these actively in the work environment and in support of employee engagement
•Manage unit staff including hiring, training and development, conducting performance reviews, and handling employee relations matters
What you bring to the team
Strategic Leadership and Management Skills:
•You have inclusive leadership skills to lead, mentor and motivate a high performing team to achieve high quality and timely results
•You have project management experience to deliver and implement multiple, large scale and multi-disciplinary projects in a fast-paced environment
•You bring a curious mindset to your work, and embed it within your teams
•You have experience with operational management, including financial planning, budgeting as well as managing workload and human resources
Technical Expertise:
•You have experience with social policy research methods, data collection, analysis and development, and can translate research insights into policy advice
•You are able to manage all aspects of planning, designing and delivering research project initiatives
•You have experience with various knowledge management and mobilization strategies
•You have knowledge of public sector policy development, decision-making and accountability frameworks to analyze and recommend policy strategies
Communication and Relationship Management Skills:
•You have experience building and maintaining relationship across the organization as well as external partners in order to gather input and build consensus and deliver on priorities.
•You have a high degree of judgement and political acuity to deal with highly visible, complex and politically sensitive issues.
•You have demonstrated superior written, oral and interpersonal communication and reporting skills to present on technical subjects using a variety of communication products
•You have analytical, judgement, issues management, and problem-solving skills.