Job Description

Competition # : 40909

Department: Community Services

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b15-Nov-23 \xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants who identify as African/Black Nova Scotian, Racially Visible Persons, Indigenous and/or Persons with Disabilities. You must self-identify during the application process.

See the for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

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 support and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager, Income Assistance, you are responsible for providing leadership, policy research and formulation, and expert advice to the program division to support the achievement of divisional priorities and departmental outcomes. You provide research expertise, project management oversight, and leadership on a variety of files within the Income Assistance division.

Primary Accountabilities

You will work closely with other program staff on policy development projects and liaise with other departmental staff to prepare policy advice documents, internal policy documents, briefing materials, and submissions to Cabinet. We count on your subject matter expertise to provide policy analysis and strategic advice on policy and procedural matters and on policy and planning processes. You will also support ongoing process improvement work and help develop tools and processes to coordinate policy development initiatives for the division.

You will use formal processes and tools to create policy documents, reports, and make recommendations to leadership. Furthermore, you will use innovative techniques to identify emerging trends, research best practices, and promote involvement of staff in identifying strategies to ensure divisional and departmental goals are realized.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree plus seven (7) years of related experience with policy, research, and analysis; or a related master\xe2\x80\x99s degree and five (5) years\xe2\x80\x99 experience.

You must have proficiency and demonstrated capabilities in policy formulation and analysis; business, strategic and project planning; and project management. You must also possess a high degree of computer literacy and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or equivalent.

Strong critical thinking/analytical skills, problem solving, and consultation skills are required. You also have excellent interpersonal skills, time management skills and a high level of competence in written and verbal communication.

A proven ability to effectively work independently and as part of a team is essential. You must have strong planning, organizational and administrative skills and have demonstrated initiative in the exercise of these skills in setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and managing multiple assignments.

You should have knowledge of government processes and structure. Knowledge of evaluation and research methodologies, along with data analysis methods and data interpretation would be considered assets.

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

Equivalency

We recognize equivalent combinations of training, education, and experience, providing opportunities for individuals with diverse backgrounds to contribute their skills and expertise. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• A related 2-year diploma and nine (9) years of related experience.
• Minimum of eleven (11) years related experience

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 offering and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

This role is primarily based in a comfortable office environment, and you may be working at your computer for extended periods of time. Some travel maybe necessary in this role. There may be opportunities for flexible work options.

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 15

Salary Range: $2,746.69 - $3,348.16 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