Senior Program Analyst

Do you want to contribute to important work improving performance, oversight and accountability in the child welfare sector? Consider this exciting opportunity with the Child Welfare Unit, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services to showcase your skills and expertise in areas of child welfare program development and evaluation, policy implementation, data analysis, and strategic-thinking.

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 "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this role, you will:
• Provide child welfare operational program expertise to inform policy implementation and support regional offices. This includes oversight/reporting mechanisms, shared services, human trafficking, critical incidents and transition-aged youth, etc. in order to achieve positive outcomes for children, youth, families and communities.
• Lead and participate in the development of appropriate benchmarking and performance standards, and measurement tools, including the development of regional and provincial dashboard data and statistics/metrics to provide feedback to senior executives and regional offices; monitor and analyze data, and prepare reports.
• Coordinate and participate in the development of approaches and products such as program manuals, presentations and other tools.
• Participate and/or provide leadership to internal and external projects and work groups.
• Prepare briefing notes and ministerial correspondence along with developing and delivering presentations.
• Establish and develop critical stakeholder relationships.

How do I qualify?

Technical Knowledge:

• You have knowledge of policy analysis and program development and evaluation (i.e. performance indicators, qualitative and quantitative measures, and risk assessment and management) to collaborate with ministry colleagues and other partners to develop and evaluate policy and programs
• You have knowledge of social theory and service delivery as it relates to child welfare and other human service sectors, as well as the broad political, social, fiscal and intergovernmental policies and issues impacting social policy and programs.
• You have knowledge and understanding of child welfare legislation, policies, standards and programs
• You have knowledge of financial processes and governance
• You are able to analyze and/or coordinate the analysis of emerging and contentious issues and generate options for alternative solutions

Analyzing and Problem Solving Skills:

• You have both quantitative and qualitative analytical and evaluation skills to analyze program data and information, assess the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs and to provide recommendations on policy and program change.
• You have demonstrated skills in analysis of trends, and evaluation of governance, and fiscal best practices, options, costs, and impacts.
• You have the ability to process and distil complex information from a range of sources, including research and scientific data, trends analyses, and independent research to identify issues.

Communication and Interpersonal Skills:

• You have written communication and presentation skills to write clear, concise reports, prepare briefing notes, and presentation and respond to program information request and issues
• You have presentation and persuasion skills to provide advice and explain program recommendations and risks.
• You have excellent interpersonal, consultation and relationship-building skills to work effectively with internal and external partners
• You have consensus-building, collaboration and negotiation skills to support engagement with internal and external partners on ministry policy and program initiatives

Project Management Skills:

• You have project management skills and issues management skills to develop, plan, implement, monitor and evaluate a variety of initiatives
• You can lead multi-disciplinary transformational projects from concept to completion

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, January 30, 2023 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.