Job Description

Competition # : 38605

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b4/12/2023\xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we\xe2\x80\x99re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

The Coordinator, Pharmaceutical Agreements is a critical role with the Benefit Programs Division. Working within a dynamic team you will be responsible for:

• coordination and management of Product Listing Agreements (PLAs);
• providing leadership and project management support to negotiations for both brand and generic pharmaceuticals;
• analyzing the impact of decisions and conceptualizing and articulating alternate solutions; and
• initiating change through discussion with appropriate partners and team members.

Primary Accountabilities

More specifically, as the Coordinator of Pharmaceutical Agreements, you will be responsible for:

• leading, supporting, and coordinating all Branch work related to pricing for brand and generic pharmaceuticals;
• developing, critically evaluating, negotiating, and implementing PLAs;
• developing procedures and processes to support the monitoring, reporting and database management related to PLAs;
• conducting policy research, financial and pharmacoeconomic analysis;
• preparing and presenting evidence-based briefing materials, reports, and other pricing-related documents; collecting, synthesizing and analyzing complex information for the purposes of identifying options and recommendations for practical solutions;
• collaborating and coordinating with numerous internal and external stakeholders at the Atlantic and National level; and
• representing Nova Scotia at various drug pricing collaborative groups including the pan Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance.

This position reports to the Manager, Pharmacare Business Solutions.

Qualifications and Experience

As the successful candidate, you must have a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree in a related field (for example, science, business, etc.) and five years of related experience (or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable).

You must demonstrate strong interpersonal, partnering, and relationship-building skills given the high degree of stakeholder engagement and be an excellent communicator (both verbal and written). You have strong coordination, time management, and organization skills; and work well independently and with a team.

Furthermore, you demonstrate strong analytical skills and high attention to detail and are solutions focused. Experience in tracking, monitoring, and balancing multiple issues simultaneously and possess the ability to prioritize work and multi-task in a fast-paced environment. You have experience analyzing and interpreting complex financial and statistical information and are proficient in Microsoft Office products, including Excel.

The following will be considered assets:

• experience working in a pharmaceutical-related field;
• a financial background;
• experience in project management and program administration; and
• strategic planning.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting with some site visits as required.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (and may require additional availability and working overtime on occasion, during times pressing deadlines or issues).

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.

Pay Grade: PR 13

Salary Range: $2,469.30 - $3,001.65 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement:

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.

Government of Nova Scotia