Indigenous Internship Program - Policy Intern

Cabinet Office: Learn, Experience & Cultivate your Career in the Centre for Excellence

Why join the Indigenous Internship Program (IIP)

This is an opportunity to be part of a positive, supportive, and collaborative culture where, together, we will build reciprocal relationships and pathways for Indigenous people to thrive in the OPS. Bring your lived experiences as a First Nations, Métis or Inuit and help us achieve our commitment towards establishing fairness, accessibility, and equity in the OPS. We are looking for individuals dedicated to equity and a strong understanding of Indigenous peoples and cultures. Through working in the OPS over your 12-month contract, you will have the opportunity to effect real change that will have an impact on thousands of OPS employees and pave the way for Indigenous reconciliation within the organization.

We offer a competitive total compensation package, which includes an attractive salary, defined benefit pension plan, comprehensive health and dental plan and much more!

For more information about the Indigenous Internship Program, please visit the Indigenous Internship Program webpage.

To learn more about the ministries recruiting for this position, access the following link: Ministries | ontario.ca.

About Us

Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs - Canadian Intergovernmental Relations Division (CIR)
The Ministry of Intergovernmental Affairs within Cabinet Office (CO) provides analysis and strategic advice on issues that affect Ontario's relationship with the federal government and other provinces and territories and supports key intergovernmental meetings. Our high-profile, busy, diverse and dynamic office directly supports the Premier, Premier's Office, Secretary of Cabinet (SoC), our Deputy Minister and Assistant Deputy Minister.

The Canadian Intergovernmental Relations division (CIR) provides intergovernmental strategy, critical analysis, research, policy, and coordination support for intergovernmental meetings such as the Council of the Federation (COF) meetings of Canada's Premiers, First Ministers Meetings (FMM), National Indigenous Organization meetings, Clerks and Secretaries of Cabinets, as well as bilateral and multilateral meetings with other Canadian jurisdictions. We also manage relationships with and provide oversight and strategic advice to provincial Ministries on intergovernmental policy/programs/initiatives across the entire government.

Ministry of Red Tape Reduction - Strategy and Engagement Unit (SEU)

The Ministry of Red Tape Reduction within Cabinet Office works with partners across the Ontario Public Service to identify, drive and enable impactful opportunities to reduce burden, modernize legislation, regulations, and policies and make it easier for businesses and individuals to work with government. By doing so, we are improving Ontario's competitiveness and making it easier to work with government leading to economic growth and innovation.

The Strategy and Engagement Unit (SEU) is responsible for leading external stakeholder engagement and strategy development, such as the Mandatory Regulatory Review - an important and impactful whole of government initiative focused on the enterprise-wide review of regulations that are 10 years old and older. The goal is to review and ensure regulations are up-to-date and consistent with modern regulatory practices. The unit also serves as a research hub on national and international red tape best practices and innovation and undertakes policy research and analysis, building operating policies and processes and change management for red tape initiatives.

Learn more about us on the Ministry of Red Tape Reduction Webpage.

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.

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?

What can I expect to do in this role?
As a Policy Intern, you will assist in:
• Undertaking policy research and analysis on a range of policy and project initiatives and issues
• Collecting relevant data from internal and external sources, including legislation and policies from other ministries and jurisdictions
• Analyzing and evaluating policy information and data, conducting impact assessments, and identifying issues and trends.
• Drafting and/or updating jurisdictional scans and literature reviews to inform policy development projects.
• Liaising with and managing relationships with ministries to identify key issues, gather information and offer advice.
• Consulting with stakeholders to obtain input/feedback on policy/program initiatives.
• Developing policy advice and information and coordinating materials to support the Deputy Minister.
• Preparing a range of materials to support proposed policies and initiatives, including policy reports, options papers, House Book notes, presentations, and briefing materials
• Briefing senior management and government officials.

How do I qualify?

Mandatory

• You must have graduated or will complete the requirements to graduate with a degree, diploma or post-graduate certificate from a recognized or legally authorized post-secondary institution in the last five years (May 2019-June 2024)
• You must self-identify as an Indigenous person. The term Indigenous refers to individuals who identify as being descended from the original inhabitants (the first peoples) of what is now known as Canada. In this context, Indigenous people are First Nations, Métis and/or Inuit
• You must be legally entitled to work in Canada
• You must be a resident of Ontario during the term of employment.

Analytical and Research Skills:

• You have knowledge of policy research and analysis techniques, environmental scanning, modelling and trends forecasting, including utilizing databases and websites to gather, summarize and interpret information.
• You can gather and conduct qualitative and quantitative analysis to support the development of recommendations and resolutions to issues supporting project and branch initiatives
• You can develop draft options and impact analyses regarding branch programs and policies
• You can produce data-focused research summaries, reports, and documents
• You can interpret and apply legislation, policies, processes, and procedures

Communication Skills:

• You can respond to information requests, write reports and prepare meaningful analyses
• You can draft correspondence, briefing notes and policy documents, and prepare a range of communications materials
• You can exchange information, discuss issues, gain support and liaise with other branches/ministries/stakeholders on policy/program issues in order to seek information and feedback
• You have the presentation skills to effectively communicate your research findings on branch policy and program development projects

Interpersonal and Teamwork Skills:

• You exhibit professionalism, sound judgment and a demonstrated ability to work in multidisciplinary teams, and address issues with a variety of internal and external stakeholders, partners, and with other ministries
• You can participate and contribute to working groups

Planning and Organizational Skills:

• You are able to plan, organize, and manage multiple tasks and projects with competing deadlines.
• You have strong organizational, project management and time management skills to undertake and balance multiple tasks and shifting timelines.

Computer Proficiency:

• You are proficient using common office productivity software (i.e. word processing, spreadsheets, presentations) to draft documents and reports, prepare presentations, conduct analysis, and perform research on the internet
• You can create dashboards, reports, and analytical graphics by using different data visualization tools to present insights, support business decision making, and allow the end-user to immerse themselves in the data and discover insights independently

Collection of Information

The Indigenous Internship Program (IIP) is designed to support Ontario's commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples across the province. Information collected for the IIP application will contribute to efforts in building a more diverse, inclusive, and accessible OPS and to provide you with an opportunity to complete an anonymous data survey to evaluate the effectiveness of the program and for analysis to identify any systemic barriers.

The personal information collected in this application is also necessary for the proper administration of the IIP and will be used for the purpose of validating your eligibility for the program. This competition, and the results from this competition, may also be used in identifiable format by designated representatives in the OPS for consideration of other opportunities in the OPS.

Personal information will be shared in an identifiable format with the OPS Indigenous Equity Branch exclusively for the purposes of tracking the enterprise-wide hiring and retention of Indigenous persons and assessing recruitment and retention priorities for Indigenous staff in the OPS. Information will be retained by the Internships Unit, Treasury Board Secretariat and will be protected in accordance with the principles of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

If you have any questions about the collection and management of your personal information, you may contact us at: CAB.Jobs@ontario.ca.

Consent

By completing this attestation, you are consenting to the OPS collecting and using your personal information as indicated in this Notice of Collection and in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. You agree that you are 16 years of age or over, have read and understand this Notice and Consent, and any information you provide will be true and accurate.

Privacy Statement

The OPS is committed to respecting your privacy and protecting your personal information in accordance with the principles of FIPPA. For more information, please read our  Privacy statement | Ontario.ca.

Other Summer Opportunities

We offer a variety of summer jobs in diverse career fields. See what summer opportunities are currently available!

Also, check out all the other student and new professional opportunities offered within the Ontario Public Service.

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 Tuesday, March 26, 2024 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.