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Are you interested in improving outcomes for children, youth, families and individuals in Ontario who need support? Are you an innovative, strategic and collaborative professional with demonstrated experience in delivering on complex policy issues?

If this sounds like you, consider joining the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services in an exciting opportunity with the Strategic Policy Division. The Division leads a wide range of activities including leading strategic advice, coordination and oversight of strategic policy, intergovernmental strategy, research and delivery/implementation.

The Policy Alignment and Intergovernmental Relations Branch (PAIRB) works with other Ministries and other governments to align their activities to support the MCCSS mandate for change. Relationships across Ministries and through intergovernmental forums are essential to this work. Through strong cooperation, both within government and across other jurisdictions, PAIRB provides the Deputy Minister and the Minister with relevant and strategic advice on decision making at Cabinet and in Ministers' Forums that is oriented to key government priorities.

The Branch is hiring three (3) Senior Policy Advisors across three Units: Strategic Integration Unit (1 Temporary), Intergovernmental Strategy Unit (1 Temporary), Policy Alignment and Cabinet Coordination Unit (1 Temporary).

The Intergovernmental Strategy Unit works with Cabinet Office-Intergovernmental Affairs and through bilateral and multi-lateral relationships and negotiations, the Unit undertakes intergovernmental policies and strengthens knowledge of, and alignment among other governments' policies and programs to help advance Ontario's interests related to children, community and social services.

The Strategic Integration Unit collaborates across MCCSS and other ministry partners to support policy alignment and integration to better integrate policy and fiscal decision-making, and to support the Ministry's annual submission in the Strategic Planning Process and other cross cutting policy initiatives.

The Policy Alignment and Cabinet Coordination Unit develops and prioritizes strategic advice to the Deputy Minister and the Minister on decision-making proposals of other Ministries. The Unit also provides logistical support for cabinet submissions and Cabinet co-ordination for MCCSS and strategic advice on the decision-making process and potential approval paths for key items.

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How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

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.

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About the job

In this role, you will:
• Lead research, policy and program development with an equity and anti-racism lens, including providing advice on social policy issues, recommending options in consideration of ministry and government objectives.
• Lead policy analysis, including identifying/scoping the problem/issue, develop/advise/recommend on policy options, and develop policy products that support decision-making. In doing so, taking into account and considering key factors, leading research, fiscal impacts, stakeholder and partner interest and needs, implementation and long-term impacts on the populations the ministry serves and against the ministry/government objectives
• Develop and present briefing materials and/or policy options to senior management that are accurate, relevant and support timely and effective decision making
• Foster critical stakeholder and partner relationships to support cross-ministry and cross-government collaboration
• Plan for and lead engagements/consultations with external stakeholders/partners to support delivery on ministry and government policy priorities
• Support drafting of Cabinet and Treasury Board submissions
• Provide project management and lead strategic planning for the development of policy, program and implementation options
• Influence internal and external stakeholders to help advance policy objectives
• Guide junior policy staff in undertaking complex projects and work effectively across the organization to maintain information flow and build consensus on difficult issues

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What you bring to the team

Specialized Policy Knowledge and Development

• You know policy and program development principles and techniques and can lead or participate in the development of strategies, policies, and evaluation
• You can use your knowledge to support the development of legislative frameworks related to social services policy
• You use critical thinking skills to break down complex problems to identify the root cause to be solved
• You can identify policy issues, gaps, and options, managing policy files through the government approvals process.
• You understand government/cabinet/legislation structure and organization, and decision making processes.
• You have an understanding of the Strategic Policy Planning cycle to feed into Cabinet decision making processes and documents (e.g., Treasury Board Submissions) and provide strategic advice ensuring ministry priorities and objectives are considered in the development of policies.
• You have knowledge of social policy trends, issues and service needs, to ensure that ministry and government objectives and directions are considered in the development of social policy and program design.
• You have knowledge of Ministry specific mandate, policies and priorities, strategic directions and related legislation.

Relationship Management, Consultation and Negotiation Skills

• You can use interpersonal skills, political acuity and diplomacy to represent the Assistant Deputy Minister's Office with Deputy Minister's Office and other executive offices in MCCSS and other ministries.
• You can establish key stakeholder linkages across the division, ministry and OPS to work cooperatively on social policy development projects.
• You can analyze the interests of stakeholders and use influencing skills to gain support for ministry policy and program initiatives from other divisions and ministries to resolve issues, and to develop a coordinated position of social policy issues.
• You possess consensus-building and negotiation skills to gain support for ministry policy and program initiatives.
• You have facilitation and persuasion/influencing skills to provide advice, make recommendations, build consensus and develop relationships with stakeholders.
• You can work collaboratively to resolve issues and negotiate changes and shifts in priorities.

Communication Skills

• You have strong verbal communications skills and can produce high-quality, easy to digest written reports to support decision making.
• You are able to develop and provide guidance on the development of innovative, visually-based products that clearly and concisely convey complex information.
• You display sound judgement and have a high degree of tact and political acuity to advise on, and explain to senior executives the direction on strategic policy work.
• You can respond to issues, provide recommendations, prepare reports, options papers, socio-economic analysis, briefing or decision materials and correspondence.
• You can represent the ministry and province on intergovernmental task forces, and promote policy initiatives to internal and external stakeholders.
• You can use presentation, persuasion, and influencing skills to provide policy advice, explain social policy and program recommendations.
• You have experience using standard computer software applications (e.g. word processing, spreadsheet) to research and prepare materials.

Project Management and Leadership

• You can effectively manage multiple projects and deadlines within a high-demand work environment
• You possess project management and leadership skills to lead and support teams to deliver effectively on projects

Analytical and Research Skills

• You have research skills and project management experience to plan and lead multiple policy and research projects within established timelines.
• You possess analytical and problem-solving skills to assess qualitative and quantitative information and to determine implications of recommended options
• You can synthesize information from a broad range of sources and provide analysis to executives to support decision making.

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Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

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Additional information: