Job Description

Competition # : 37145

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 11/18/2022 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness (DHW) offers opportunities to gain experience 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 are 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, 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

Do you want to be a part of the exciting changes happening in the Nova Scotian Health System?

As a Senior Policy Analyst with the Pharmaceutical Services & Extended Health benefits division of the Department of Health and Wellness, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing initiatives involving all phases of work from strategic planning and policy development through to successful implementation.

Within a typical day you will also be responsible for:

• Maintaining current knowledge of public insurance policy in the areas of drugs, dental, optometry and other extended health benefits.
• Identifying issues and challenges with public programs, legislation, regulation, and policy to develop evidence-based policy options and recommendations to inform departmental decision-making, including monitoring utilization and costing.
• Using strong writing skills to prepare submissions to Executive Council, decision requests, presentations, briefing notes and responses relating to health system issues in Nova Scotia.
• Using project management skills to develop and execute action plans and strategies to achieve division and departmental objectives.
• Supporting negotiations with a range of health care provider groups on compensation for publicly insured health services including developing funding options with associated costing and fostering positive relationships with health care providers and stakeholders.
• Leading and/or participating in working groups and committees on specific initiatives or policy issues.
• Supporting the management of contractual relationships with external service providers including governance, audit, and oversight functions as well as financial negotiations.
• Writing correspondence for senior departmental staff on a wide range of matters related to the division's mandate.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have a Bachelor's degree in Commerce or equivalent plus eight (8) years of related experience; or a Master's degree plus six (6) years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and related experience may be considered acceptable.

As the successful candidate you will also have:

• Proven ability to conduct and manage policy research, analysis, and implementation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with experience in report writing
• Demonstrated strong leadership, organizational and project management skills with the ability to build collaborative working relationships
• Ability to work under time pressures in a team environment, exercising sound independent judgment while managing competing priorities
• Computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)

The following will be considered assets:

• Experience in health system programs or insurance, or extended health benefits
• Experience working with Canadian federal/provincial government legislation and regulations

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

• Equivalent Bachelor's degree is considered a degree in a health, arts, legal or social science-related field.
• Equivalent experience and training is considered a minimum of ten (10) years combination of related education (e.g., health, arts, legal, or social science) and related employment experience.
• Related experience must include experience with policy research, analysis and implementation, and other experience directly relevant to the responsibilities of a Senior Policy Analyst.
• 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.

Additional Information

Please note, this posting is being advertised to fill 1 Permanent and 1 Term status position with an end date of October 31, 2023; however, the position 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.

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,001.65 - $3,525.41 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.