Senior Policy Advisor

*AMENDEMENT* The opening paragraph of this job ad has been edited to include information about an information session. No other changes have been made. If you have already submitted an application, you do not need to reapply. The closing date has been extended to February 2, 2024

Are you an innovative individual who is looking for a challenge?

Join the Indigenous Health Policy Unit of the Ministry of Health and provide your expertise in leading health system strategy and policy initiatives to improve the health outcomes of Indigenous populations in Ontario including advancing First Nations health transformation.

Want to learn more about this opportunity?
Join us for an information session on Friday, January 26th from 1:00 – 2:00pm where you will have a chance to find out more about the job, the team and the Branch.

Be sure you add this event to your calendar so you don't miss out!
Join on your computer, mobile app or room device
Click here to join the meeting

Meeting ID: 297 844 937 888
Passcode: VMQ9tb

Join with a video conferencing device
teams@msteams.ontario.ca
Video Conference ID: 114 943 932 9
Alternate VTC instructions

If you can't make it - no problem. Attendance at the session is optional and will have no impact on hiring decisions.

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:
• Play a key role in advancing innovative strategic health policies through policy research, analysis, development and evaluation on a broad range of health and health system issues.
• Develop, build and maintain partnerships and linkages with internal and external stakeholders with an emphasis on Indigenous communities and health service providers.
• Provide leadership to project teams on concurrent policy development projects.
• Prepare a variety of correspondence and presentations for senior management.

How do I qualify?

Strategic Policy and Program Expertise

• You have strong strategic orientation and demonstrated knowledge of and experience with policy development processes to lead the development and evaluation of strategies, legislative and resource allocation frameworks.
• You have knowledge of performance management approaches to provide leadership and expertise in the development, evaluation and communication of strategic policies, programs, regulations and/or legislation

Project Management and Relationship Building Skills

• You can provide project management and leadership to work with teams on concurrent policy development projects and manage deadlines and competing priorities.
• You can negotiate and mediate resolution to issues to further policy making and support the development of policy papers and responses across the ministry.
• You can initiate and nurture strong working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders and act as a trusted advisor with an emphasis on Indigenous communities and health service providers

Conceptual Thinking, Research and Analytical Skill

• You have proven research skills.
• You can create new concepts to explain situations or resolve problems and to identify key or underlying issues in complex situations.
• You have an understanding of a broad range of issues in the health care system within Ontario, Canada and the international context.
• You have the ability to gain knowledge of government directions, priorities and legislative process to ensure policies are developed within the context of the government's health care agenda

Communication and Presentation Skills

• You can prepare and present complex research analyses, evidence based decision making results, policy reports, speeches, briefing notes and cabinet submissions.
• You can promote policy initiatives through presentations to members of the health sector, the community and ministry management and staff.
• You can create or develop complex documents synthesizing a variety of ideas, views and issues in a simplified and coherent fashion.

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 Friday, February 9, 2024 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.