Senior Policy Analyst

Are you a team-oriented, highly motivated professional with a strong background in child, youth, and family services? Are you interested in providing leadership in the design and delivery of effective, safe, culturally appropriate and responsive services to drive better outcomes for diverse children, youth and families, and promote continuous improvement in Ontario's child welfare system?

Consider this opportunity with the Child Welfare Secretariat of the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services. The Child Welfare Secretariat is responsible for policies and programs in areas including prevention and early intervention; permanency, including public adoptions; supports for youth leaving care, culturally appropriate services and equity initiatives, and strengthening system governance. These positions offer a challenging opportunity to provide leadership and expertise in the planning, development and implementation of policies and programs that meet strategic objectives for child welfare in Ontario.

Note: These position(s) is/are located at 101 Bloor St. W, Toronto, however alternate work arrangements may be available.

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:

• Lead, coordinate and undertake projects and all aspects of policy, program planning and development
• Lead, coordinate and undertake policy research, analysis and advice to support policy and program recommendations
• Develop, coordinate and evaluate in-depth and comprehensive reports and analyses
• Research and coordinate resources from various sources
• Build and maintain relationships with key sector stakeholders and partners to work collaboratively on policy projects

How do I qualify?

Knowledge of Policy Development

• You have knowledge of and experience with policy and program development principles and techniques
• You can interpret legislation and strategic directions and apply to an integrated child and youth service agenda, governance, funding and critical social policy issues
• You know policy and program analysis and evaluation techniques to assess the effectiveness and outcomes of policies and programs

Project Management, Consultation and Interpersonal Skills

• You have research and project management skills to plan and conduct qualitative and quantitative research studies
• You have engagement/consultation and relationship management skills to establish key stakeholder linkages across ministries and organizations and to work collaboratively on policy development projects
• You have consensus building, mediation and negotiation skills to gain support on policy and program initiatives and resolve issues

Communication and Facilitation Skills

• You have oral and written communication skills and can prepare and present reports, submissions and recommendations and briefings to groups, organizations and management
• You can facilitate and represent the ministry at inter-ministerial tables, working committees and with stakeholders

Analytical and Problem Solving Skills

• You can plan, design and undertake various types of research to develop policy and program options, frameworks and operational guidelines
• You can assess information in developing policy and program proposals and evaluate policy and program results and outcomes
• You can identify issues and analyse interests of stakeholders and develop polices and solutions that address concerns

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, November 27, 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.