Community Strategy Lead

Are you an enthusiastic, experienced community development professional with a desire to implement systems change initiatives that improve the lives of young people? If so, consider this opportunity with the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Youth Strategies Branch where you can be part of an innovative, cross-sectoral Collective Impact initiative to improve outcomes for youth who are disconnected from support systems.

What can I expect to do in this role?

In this exciting role, you will:

• Build positive relationships with community leaders in order to negotiate, facilitate and support a structured methodology of collaboration to improve youth outcomes.
• Work closely with executives from youth serving agencies, the private sector, community organizations and government to develop and implement aligned programs and initiatives in local communities.
• Identify and evaluate existing policies and programs from across government which may impact the ability for youth to achieve their full potential.
• Provide analysis, advice and recommendations to the Provincial Partnership Table - a cross-sector leadership council providing overall direction to the Collective Impact initiative

NOTE: The successful candidates will have the option of working from any of the locations listed in this job ad. These positions require frequent travel across the province.

How do I qualify?

Leadership Skills:

• You are results-oriented with strong political acuity to lead high profile strategies from concept to implementation.
• You have strong networking and partnership building skills to develop effective linkages within partners, non-profit organizations, private companies and other key stakeholders in communities.
• You have experience using persuasion skills to implement long term, systemic and social change in sectors.
• You have proven negotiating skills to lead, broker and negotiate agreements among various organizations and mediating issues from many diverse and competing interests, views and attitudes.
• You have demonstrated leadership skills to manage private/public sector sensitive consultation and to guide decision-making in the approval of options/recommendations.

Technical Knowledge:

• You have proven knowledge and experience using policy and program development and evaluation methods, techniques and approval processes related to social services, education and training, health and employment sectors.
• You have knowledge of current trends and emerging community and community organizational leadership theories, methods and models to further the goals of the Collective Impact for Disconnected Youth.
• You have proven knowledge in the field of youth development, including a demonstrated understanding of the social, economic, racial, equity and other barriers facing disadvantaged youth in order to develop policy and program solutions.
• You have experience evaluating the impact of community dynamics, local government and the interaction of various programs and partners.

Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills:

• You have experience using data analysis, metrics, performance measurement methods and techniques to contribute to evidence based data collection and to conduct critical analyses.
• You have proven experience analyzing complex and high impact equity issues and systemic barriers facing disadvantaged youth across Ontario.
• You have experience evaluating efforts to identify issues and improve outcomes for disadvantaged youth against provincial goals, outcomes and measurements.
• You have experience dealing with conflicts and competing interests to impact change, identify issues and gaps, and to advise senior leaders on solutions and strategies.

Communication Skills:

• You have experience presenting and promoting strategies in support of a initiatives, and providing advice to various partners and senior level executives regarding requirements, outcomes and expectations.
• You have experience prepare policy and program proposals, reports, and presentation materials for senior executive audiences.

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, October 28, 2016 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.