Job Description

Competition # : 41703

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 16-Feb-24 (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\'re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on continual improvements within the Health System, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, regulate and monitor to improve access and service delivery.

One of the Department of Health and Wellness\'s (DHW) mandates is to ensure the delivery of collaborative health care to communities through Emergency Health Services, including medical communications, medical first response, ground and air ambulance, and other programs. DHW is responsible for setting standards, developing policies, funding, and regulatory oversight of the Emergency Health Services (EHS) system and the vendor contracted to operate the EHS system.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director, EHS Regulation & Policy, you will provide lead the EHS division\'s work in policy and regulatory development, implementation, and evaluation/monitoring of the effectiveness of policy within the Emergency Health Services (EHS) division. You will be responsible to makes evidence-based recommendations with focus on strategic decision-making and impact of recommendations. You will be consistently called upon to lead a variety of complex policy, regulatory, and government submission projects from start to finish. You will conduct extensive policy research to develop legislative, regulatory, policy, and process initiatives that that are strategically aligned with government priorities and mandates. You may provide functional supervision of EHS contractors and professional or support positions, necessary.

Primary Accountabilities

Key Responsibilities include:

• Conducts comprehensive research, analysis, measurement, and evaluation of complex policy issues to provide strategic advice to senior leadership. This involves expert knowledge of research methods, coordination of multi-disciplinary teams to develop and/or review a wide range of deliverables, including reports, presentations, briefing notes, submissions, and other materials.
• Develops, formulates, and administers divisional policy, including recommendations for policies, legislative and regulatory changes, consultations, and compliance. Conducts policy reviews on key divisional issues and involve multiple stakeholders from professional, multi-disciplinary, consumer or business environments.
• Prepares the more complex and/or oversees submissions to Executive Council and Finance and Treasury Board (e.g., memorandums to Executive Council, Reports and recommendations to Executive Council, requests for Legislation, presentations to Issues Committee), which may include subject matter related to labour relations. Consults with key stakeholder groups to ensure sound policy development and alignment of divisional priorities with government objectives and commitments. Develops and participates in briefings and presentations to support senior leadership, as required.
• Initiates, plans, develops, and manages a wide range of policy projects/initiatives for the divisions broader legislative, regulatory, and program frameworks.
• Provides leadership within the division in the development of long-term strategic plans to address critical issues and contributes to the planning of the division\'s legislative agenda. This responsibility is addressed by promoting broad dialogue among stakeholders to address key issues; undertaking environmental scanning to identify emerging trends; researching best practices; and, promoting involvement by staff at all levels of the division in identification of strategies to ensure divisional goals are realized.
• Supports senior management in identifying, cataloguing, mapping, and mitigating key system risks, developing and delivering reports and recommendations on the division\'s and EHS system\'s risks and strategic and policy needs required to address those risks.
• Provides policy advice and prepares, coordinates, and assures quality control for divisional briefing materials and Briefing Binders for the Minister, Deputy and Premier. Collaborates with management and staff to ensure comprehensive and timely responses to requests for input into Division and Government-wide initiatives.
• May represent the division on provincial and national working groups and/or committees in support of the divisional goals and objectives.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a bachelor\'s degree plus four (4) years of related experience or a relevant master\'s degree and two (2) years\' related 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 five (5) years of related experience.
• Minimum of eight (8) years related experience.

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

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

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting and may involve sitting for long periods of time. Travel throughout the province may be required. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week. You may be required to work overtime on occasion.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with anticipated end date of February 2025. The appointment status (\'term\', \'temporary\' or \'casual\') is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

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, including two days/week working remotely and an Earned Day-Off program.

Pay Grade: EC 10

Salary Range: $2,943.75 - $3,679.70 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.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

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