Job Description

Division

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Children's Services

Important Notices & Amendments

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This position

currently falls within our hybrid model

, allowing the employee to

typically

work

a minimum of

50% of

your

time

at your regular work location and the other 50% of time at home.

As an employer of choice, Niagara Region offers competitive salaries and benefits, a defined benefit pension plan, a corporate wellness centre, access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP), mentorship and training programs, employee recognition programs, and more. In addition, the Region recognizes the value of having flexible work arrangements to support better work-life balance for our employees. Hybrid work arrangements may vary from one employee to another and may also differ in the number of remote workdays. These opportunities remain subject to the alignment of operational needs, business requirements, and customer service expectations.

About Us

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Serving a diverse urban and rural population of more than 475,000, Niagara Region is focused on building a strong and prosperous Niagara. Working collaboratively with 12 local area municipalities and numerous community partners, the Region delivers a range of high-quality programs and services to support and advance the well-being of individuals, families and communities within its boundaries. Nestled between the great lakes of Erie and Ontario, the Niagara peninsula features some of Canada's most fertile agricultural land, the majesty of Niagara Falls and communities that are rich in both history and recreational and cultural opportunities. Niagara boasts dynamic modern cities, Canada's most developed wine industry, a temperate climate, extraordinary theatre, and some of Ontario's most breathtaking countryside. An international destination with easy access to its binational U.S. neighbour New York State, Niagara attracts over 14 million visitors annually, as well as a steady stream of new residents and businesses.


At Niagara Region, we value diversity - in background and experience. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We aspire to hire and grow a workforce reflective of the diverse community we serve. By doing so, we can deliver better programs and services across Niagara.


We welcome all applicants! For more information about diversity, equity, and inclusion at Niagara Region, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion - Niagara Region, Ontarioor email related questions to diversity@niagararegion.ca. To send input on reducing barriers in the current hiring process, please email myhr@niagararegion.ca


For the Region's full employee equity statement, Working at Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario.

Don't have every qualification?

You may be hesitant to apply if you do not have every qualification listed in the posting. While specific qualifications are important for certain roles, we invite individuals from diverse backgrounds and varying levels of experience and education to apply. Our recruiters will evaluate your suitability for the role.


Please note that for unionized roles, we must follow collective agreement requirements. However, we encourage all interested candidates to submit their applications. We believe success in a role can extend beyond meeting every single requirement.

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Job Summary
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Salary Pending Review



Reporting to the divisional leadership team, the Specialist is responsible for a range of research, policy, special projects, financial and analytical activities to support the development, implementation and management of policies, programs and projects for the Community Services Department.

Education
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Post-secondary degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, Social Sciences, or equivalent combination of education and experience., Certificate or education courses in continuous quality improvement, community development, strategic planning, financial analysis, project management and program evaluation preferred.
Knowledge
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Minimum five years' experience in continuous quality improvement, strategic planning, program evaluation, and measurement preferable in government environment At least 3 years' experience in conducting primary and secondary research including evaluation At least 3 years' experience in strategic planning and program evaluation. Knowledge of applicable program legislation ie. Child Care Early Years Act, Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, Ministry of Long-term Care, Homelessness etc. an asset. Experience with policy or program-based initiatives that involve diverse internal and external invested parties. Familiarity working collaboratively with multiple community partners and ability to build and manage community and invested parties relationships, including accountability oversight Familiarity preparing research proposals, reports, and other knowledge translation methods is preferred Knowledge of project management techniques/software, facilitation tools, and invested parties engagement and consultation principles and techniques Ability to review, understand, analyze and synthesis financial information and data Advanced knowledge of office productivity software with experience using Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft Outlook, Office 365. Progressive experience within a Human Services environment with experience in policy, program planning and evaluation. Ability to lead and develop projects, manage multiple projects concurrently, determine objectives and program goals, and risk mitigation strategies. Strong report writing, research, risk analysis, analytical and project management skills to meet program objectives and work to tight deadlines. Highly developed analytical and business planning skills with a proven track record for long-term visioning. Experience with GIS Mapping and PowerBI or other data visualization tools is an asset Experience developing responses to funding proposals.
Responsibilities
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Designs and conducts research and evaluation activities resulting in the development of a wide range of knowledge products to support service system planning and decision making. (30% of time)
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Lead, review and analysis of research, trends, community needs and leading practices to support the planning and development of policies and initiatives in Niagara. Develop strategies to enhance service capacity, support program planning, policy development and establish performance measures, including the development of options, recommendations and risk management strategies. Develop and implement various mechanisms for data collection based on needs of target audience(s). Prepare evaluation reports and presentations effectively communicating issues, trend, analysis and recommendations. Develop, implement, analyze and research various databases, applications, and tools to support planning, policy development and program delivery. Produce products to support information and knowledge transfer to relevant internal and external early year's partners, practitioners and the community. Develops service statistics to improve service planning. Provide data, outcome and performance measures to support effective system planning in Niagara.
Project Management and Regular Reporting (30% of time):
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Collaborate with invested parties on projects related to system planning. Leads and facilitates meetings, internal and external communication, developing work plans and organizing engagement to support the internal and externally-linked governance structures, assessing risks, and KPI's. Prepare reports, presentations, and other key documents to support communication and reporting. Establish and maintain and provide leadership to community relationships, local area municipalities and invested parties. Ensure internal and external coordination of departments and resources. Prepare reports using performance measures, demographic and statistical information for the provincial and federal governments, regional council and standing committees. Lead all project management functions which includes; internal and external communication, work plans and community engagement. Develops project plans for completion of activities.
Sustains a network of community partners, representation groups and relationships (20% of time).
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Establishes linkages and collaborate with health, justice, social planning, university research groups and community partners to share information and support collaborative planning. Actively participates on and support local advisory boards, committees and planning groups disseminating results of local data collection and evaluation. Facilitates sharing of data between service agencies, and partners. Build positive and inclusive work environments by cultivating and managing strategic partnerships and fostering collaboration with internal and external parties. Develop and implement a comprehensive, multi-pronged public engagement strategy to respond to community needs, identify existing service capacity, and support community goals and priorities. Represent the Region on community tables and committees as required. Develop and maintain effective and accountable working relations with community partners to support the expansion and delivery of Community Services . Communication with funders and local partners regarding evolving upper tier policy direction. Ensures focus is service excellence, communication/transparency, innovation, and data integrity and workflow integration.
Provides strategic advice and analysis on related program planning and delivery of mandated service integration and modernization projects. (20% of time)
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Keeps up to date on social political, economic trends, legislative changes, public policy documents, etc. to support evidence- informed decisions related to program and integrated service delivery. Using business and management principles involved in organizational change initiatives, strategic planning and policy development. Authors knowledge products to support planning and decision making for management and divisional staff e.g. position papers, briefing notes, presentations on policy issues. Liaises with staff from other levels of government and other jurisdiction to facilitate inter-sectoral cooperation, information sharing and best practices, understanding of policy direction, and cooperation on areas of mutual interest across jurisdictions. Working with the divisional leadership team, responds to time sensitive internal and external requests for information from members of the senior leadership team. Represents the Division, attends conferences and policy forums, and participates in community tables/committees, as required.
Special Requirements
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In accordance with the Corporate Criminal Record Check Policy, the position requires the incumbent to undergo a Criminal Record Check, with vulnerable sector search, and submit a Canadian Police Clearance Certificate Must maintain ability to travel in a timely manner to other offices, work locations or sites as authorized by the Corporation for business reasons. Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values.

Shift Information

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Currently scheduled Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week.

Closing Statement

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Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow's challenges TODAY!



Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application.



We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.



If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:

Email: myhr@niagararegion.ca Phone: 905-980-6000 or 1-800-263-7215 Bell Relay: 1-800-855-0511 * In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 - Human Resources Department