SENIOR POLICY AND PROGRAM ADVISOR

Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of Ontarians? If yes, please consider this opportunity with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. These positions offer challenging opportunities to provide leadership and expertise in the planning, development and implementation of policies, programs, and evaluation frameworks that contribute to the government's population and public health initiatives for Ontarians.

NOTE:
• One position will report to Healthy Living Policy and Programs Branch, Healthy Communities Policy and Programs Unit responsible for the Healthy Kids Strategy, Healthy Kids Community Challenge, and Mental Health Promotion. (Position will be located at 777 Bay Street, Toronto)

• Two positions will report to Healthy Living Policy and Programs Branch, Healthy Start Policy and Programs Unit responsible for oral/dental health, reproductive health, and breastfeeding initiatives. (Positions will be located at 777 Bay Street, Toronto)

• One position will report to the Health Protection Policy and Program Branch, Environmental Health Unit responsible for food safety, safe water, Skin Cancer Prevention Act and health hazard management. (Position will be located at 393 University Avenue, Toronto)

• Three positions will report to the Health Protection Policy and Program Branch, Addiction and Substances Policy and Programs Unit responsible for the Alcohol Strategy, Opioid Strategy, problem gambling prevention and other addictions/substances. (Positions will be located at 393 University Avenue, Toronto)

• One position will report to Health Protection Policy and Program Branch, Tobacco and Smoke Policy and Programs Unit responsible for the Smoke-Free Ontario Strategy, and initiatives related to the Smoke-Free Ontario Act and the Electronic Cigarettes Act. (Position will be located at 393 University Avenue, Toronto)

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role you will:
• Lead and coordinate projects/initiatives to conceptualize, plan, develop, and recommend policy, programs, and evaluations, standards, and implementation frameworks related to the health of Ontarians.
• Lead and undertake all components of policy development and program design.
• Lead project/initiative teams and manage projects/initiatives related to the health of Ontarians.
• Ensure that policy and program options consider key factors such as research evidence, funding, governance, stakeholder interests and needs.
• Develop performance frameworks and indicators as well as measure results to report on effectiveness in meeting objectives and ministry mandate.
• Build and foster critical stakeholder relationships across ministries as well as federal/provincial and territorial jurisdictions.
• Provide advice on policy and program issues to senior management and prepare a range of analysis and communications.

How do I qualify?

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

• Demonstrated knowledge of policy development and program design, and evaluation principles and techniques.
• Knowledge or the ability to acquire knowledge of the broad socio-economic issues impacting population and public health and provincial health systems.
• Ability to develop and use performance measurement and program evaluation techniques to assess the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation and strategic direction for an integrated health system.

ANALYTICAL, PROBLEM SOLVING AND RESEARCH SKILLS:

• Ability to assess and interpret qualitative and quantitative information to consider their impacts in policy and program proposals.
• Ability to use analytical skills to identify current and emerging issues, trends, and factors affecting public health.
• Knowledge of research methodology to conduct research studies and analyze findings.
• Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize multiple concurrent and competing priorities.

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

• Partnership building and relationship management skills to establish key stakeholder linkages and work cooperatively on projects.
• Presentation and persuasion skills to provide policy and program advice and subject matter expertise.
• Consensus-building and negotiation skills to gain support for policy and program initiatives, resolve issues, and develop a coordinated position.
• Oral and written communication skills and experience preparing materials and products (e.g. reports, option papers, analyses, briefings and cabinet submissions), promoting initiatives, and gathering information.
• Demonstrated ability to use standard office software programs to conduct research and prepare own materials such as briefing notes, correspondence, policy papers and presentations.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS:

• Knowledge of project management techniques to plan and lead research studies.
• Demonstrated leadership skills to plan and direct project team members.

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 Wednesday, January 11, 2017 11:59 pm EST. Late applications will not be accepted.

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