Job Description

Competition # : 38966

Department: Community Services

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Internship

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b5/11/2023\xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as Indigenous, African Nova Scotian, Racially Visible Persons, and Persons with a Disability. You must self-identify during the application process.

Indigenous - persons who identify themselves as First Nation (Status and non-Status), M\xc3\xa9tis, or Inuit

African Nova Scotian - is any Nova Scotian who chooses to declare African ancestry, regardless of how long they have lived here and regardless of how much African ancestry they can declare.

Racially Visible Persons - persons, other than Indigenous people or African Nova Scotians, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.

Persons with Disabilities - persons who, for the purposes of employment, identify themselves or believe that an employer is likely to consider that the workplace environment may create a barrier due to a long-term or recurring physical, mental, sensory, hearing, neurological psychiatric or learning disability.

About Us

At the , we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Well-being (CFW), Employment Support (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support (DSP).

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

We are hiring a Junior Policy Analyst Intern to join our Strategic Initiatives division, and your fresh perspectives, ideas, and energy will contribute to change.

As our Intern, you will gain extensive knowledge of the public sector, social service delivery systems, government decision-making and communications, and other concepts. This is the perfect opportunity to showcase your creative abilities in a diverse environment that fosters collaboration and incorporates your feedback to enhance our services.

In this role you will work collaboratively across the Department, government and with external service providers, communities and clients on key initiatives that improve our client and system outcomes. Under the direction of the Executive Lead, Strategic Initiatives, you will support various horizontal, cross-government projects by researching and analyzing relevant issues and initiatives, supporting extensive stakeholder engagement and change management efforts, and contributing to the preparation of advice and recommendations to government.

Primary Accountabilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting jurisdictional scans and researching current issues and initiatives
• Drafting key messages and communication material for engagements with internal and external stakeholders
• Drafting replies to letters and correspondence received from external stakeholders in an excellent, client focused manner and on a timely basis
• Preparing presentations and briefing material for steering committees and Executives
• Recording notes from workshops and presenting in an appropriate format to the Senior Policy Analyst
• Collecting, collating and summarizing in an appropriate format feedback from surveys and other engagements
• Supporting the development of submissions to cabinet including Memorandum to Executive Council (MECs) and Requests for Legislation (RFLs)
• Collaborating with the broader project team and providing support on deliverables as required

Qualifications and Experience

The following skills and experiences are considered essential:

• You must have graduated from a post-secondary institute, such as a university, community college or recognised trade school within the past three (3) years
• Have background in communications, public relations or public administration, or other related background in policy/ analysis
• Experience drafting and completing communications;
• Experience conducting research and analysis;
• Proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint;
• Strong written and verbal communication capacities;
• Capacity to manage various tasks while maintaining task deadlines and multiple competing priorities

The following skills and experiences are considered assets but not required:

• Basic knowledge of the Department of Community Services;
• Experience in change management initiatives; and
• Experience with social service programs.

Additionally, you are an individual looking to actively contribute to an innovative environment. You are self-motivated and eager to learn more about government processes and mechanisms. You work well and produce results when working independently and within collaborative team environment.

Salary Information

PR 06 -

$2,004.96 - $2,084.99

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 offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Your work is primarily in an open office environment. There may be potential for remote work 1-2 days per week and can be discussed during the interview. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

There will be opportunity to attend sessions with external engagement stakeholders which may require travel.

Additional Information

This is an internship opportunity for approximately one (1) year in length.

What We Offer

• Career Possibilities: gain exposure to our multiple career paths
• Opportunity: to enhance your career, learn from our diverse staff, and build your networks
• Engaging workplace: our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in
• We have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Rewarding and versatile work; daily, you will get to see the impact you have in and around your community

Pay Grade: PR 06

Salary Range: $2,004.96 - $2,084.99 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