Business and Fiscal Planning Advisor / Business Strategy and Decision Support Advisor / Business Strategy, Decision Support and Fiscal Planning Advisor

Do you have a thorough understanding of the government decision-making process and have exceptional analytical skills? Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Consider this exciting opportunity with the Transfer Payment Business Unit or the Fiscal Reporting Unit within the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, where you will identify problems arising from financial analysis, trending analysis, business and program reviews, and will develop recommendations and options for senior management, for the development of strategic business/program plans, investment/funding and/or expenditure management strategies and proposals.

The Business and Fiscal Planning Advisor will work within the Fiscal Reporting unit and is responsible for managing the in-year reporting and monitoring of the ministry's financial position. This includes forecasting, financial reporting, budgeting control, procurement, Federal/Provincial cost-sharing administration, infrastructure capital analysis, as well as additional ad hoc projects.

The Business Strategy, Decision Support Advisor will work within the Fiscal Reporting unit and is expected to work closely with program partners in helping develop packages to seek procurement approvals to support critical initiatives, as well as projects in response to COVID-19, such as the supply and distribution of personal protective equipment. The position will review procurement documents that comply with procurement policies and provide recommendations as a subject matter expert. There will be a need to proactively interact with ministry clients and partners at Supply Chain Ontario to strategize procurement requirements and provide procurement advice and guidance throughout the procurement process while achieving value for money.

The Business Strategy, Decision Support and Fiscal Planning Advisor will work within the Transfer Payment (TP) Business unit, as part of a team to support TP administration in the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, including supporting TP Ontario (TPON) operations and Transfer Payment Accountability Directive (TPAD) compliance. The position will also establish strong working relationships with key partners, to become a principal driver in the ongoing development of modern, integrated processes.

About the OPS
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, a collegial and professional work culture, career growth and development and on-the-job training to help you succeed, we offer a competitiveCompensation and Benefitspackage.

What can I expect to do in this role?

You will:
- provide strategic business, fiscal and program planning advice, analysis and functional support to senior ministry management and central agencies
- support management in identifying opportunities for business process transformations and improvements
- provide ongoing strategic business and financial analysis and advisory services that supports evidence based business strategy formulation, program evaluation, performance measurement and monitoring, strategic risk management, and investment, and/or expenditure management strategies and plans for the ministry
- provide support and advice on the interpretation and application of financial management principles and practices to recommend options and identify risks for the development of the ministry's strategic plan, and resource requests/submissions including operating and capital expenditures
- provide strategic business and financial advice and recommendations to ministry management and central agencies on business planning, strategy formulation, program and policy review and investment strategy development based on evaluation of program business/financial management practices and processes and risk evaluation
- provide support and advice on the interpretation and application of financial management principles and practices, recommending options and identifying risks for the development of the ministry's strategic plan
- support ministry forecasting process, coordinating the preparation of the ministry's multi-year business planning submissions, in-year submissions and other official financial documents/statements to ensure alignment and compliant
- provide technical guidance and advice to analysts and other staff
- provide training and mentoring to new staff
- manage financial reports and provide recommendations to ensure spending within budget allocation and legal spending authority
- provide financial expertise in the development and implementation of financial tools, processes and services to support ministry programs in optimizing use of financial resources and managing within the ministry appropriation

How do I qualify?

ANALYTICAL AND PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS:

- you can identify and prioritize concurrent business planning/plan management issues for ministry program areas and recommend options for resolution
- you can provide advice and recommend options for use in the development of ministry strategic plans, funding and investments strategies, and strategies for optimal financial management
- you can manage and evaluate complex information/data accurately, to provide advice to ministry management on trends, risks and opportunities that will directly impact business/program strategy within the broader government/ministry perspective
- you can advise on investment and/or expenditure management prioritization, valuation and options to support portfolios and program specific funding and allocation scenarios

COMMUNICATION AND INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

- you have communication skills to write clear, concise reports, correspondence, and business cases, prepare and present advice and recommendations, and develop and deliver compelling presentations
- you are proficient with standard desktop computer applications (e.g. word processing, presentations, spreadsheets) and specialized/customized databases/financial information systems, to conduct research and analysis; prepare reports and presentations, and assess risk
- you have consultation, facilitation and collaboration skills to work with senior staff in addressing financial issues and to influence program staff to provide certain financial information to meet tight reporting deadlines
- you have relationship management and networking skills to develop business relationships and collaborations, achieve resolution to issues, and to advance corporate objectives
- you have political acuity, diplomacy and tact in dealing with and resolving sensitive issues with various stakeholders

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE:

- you can gain knowledge of OPS and ministry legislation, policies, standards, priorities, and government policy direction on business planning, budgeting, fiscal planning and management and related areas
- you have knowledge of evidence-based scenario development, program analysis and funding, business and strategic planning, and risk assessment and risk management principles
- you have knowledge of budget and accounting procedures, capital and operating expenditure forecasting and variance/risk analysis practices and information systems
- you can gain knowledge of government decision making processes, including policy decision making and fiscal planning cycle and processes, trends and directions to develop and recommend funding and program scenarios and options for investment decision-making, and to assess areas of funding risk
- you have knowledge of program evaluation and performance management principles to assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of policy and program initiatives

OPS Commitment to diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti- racism:We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace.
We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions.
Visit the OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the  OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service.
We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's Human Rights Code. Refer to the application instructions below if you require a disability-related accommodation.

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 Monday, August 16, 2021 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.