Job Description

Competition # : 37017

Department: Mental Health and Addictions

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: 11/4/2022 (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 collaborative primary health care, acute 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're recruiting leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

We are recruiting for a Senior Policy Analyst with the Office of Mental Health and Addictions (OMHA). This is your opportunity to have an impact on the development and delivery of multiple plans and strategies that improve access to treatment for mental illness and addictions, improve the mental health of the population, and address health inequities.

About Our Opportunity

The Senior Policy Analyst with OMHA works closely with intersectoral partners including, but not limited to, intradepartmental, provincial, federal and territorial colleagues, the Nova Scotia Health Authority and IWK, and the private and non-profit sector. In this role, you provide expertise and advisory services to staff and partners with respect to research and policy development as well as work with senior staff on major policy, research, and procedural matters.

In this role, you play a critical role in facilitating OMHA evidence-informed decision-making and will have the opportunity to work directly with provincial, inter-governmental and community stakeholders; and may represent the Office on inter-departmental initiatives. You will directly impact change across the health system, inclusive of health promotion, primary health care, acute care, continuing care, and mental health and addictions.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Senior Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing aspects of large projects usually involving all phases of work from planning to policy and program development through to successful implementation and accountability reporting. Within a typical day you will also be responsible for:

• Leading identified Office functions (e.g., research, policy and program development, contract management, accountability reporting, outcome monitoring).
• Developing and evaluating policy options and related background material.
• Leading aspects of the legislative process, including preparation of submissions to Executive Council.
• Preparing reports, briefing books and responses relating to health system issues including the impact of interventions in Nova Scotia.
• Leading and/or participating in working groups on specific policy issues.
• Working within a team to coordinate stakeholder consultations and other public meetings.
• Preparing briefing notes and correspondence for senior staff on a wide range of matters related to OMHA's mandate.

Qualifications and Experience

As our next Senior Policy Analyst, you will hold a bachelor's degree in a health-related field plus six (6) years of progressive experience in the design and development of policies and programs.

You will demonstrate experience with the following:

• Progressive position responsibility.
• Superior writing skills with proven experience in report writing and preparation of briefing materials.
• Contract management experience.
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to build collaborative working relationships.
• Knowledge of and/or experience within the provincial legislative environment.
• Computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Familiarity with legislation which falls under the OMHA mandate.

In addition to the above, you will have strong leadership skills, independent judgement, and initiative as well as the ability to manage and conduct complex and specialized research and policy analysis. You will be well-organized, capable of managing change and competing priorities. You can undertake a high-level of work under tight deadlines, and exercise sound judgement under pressure. Lastly, you will be able to work cohesively in a team environment and be able to take on complex assignments with minimal supervision.

The following will be considered assets:

• Knowledge of structure, processes, and key players in Government.
• Knowledge/experience in the field of mental health and addictions.
• Public policy development and analysis.

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. Equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A completed Masters degree and 4 years of 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 offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

This is a Term employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of June 12, 2023. 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.
• An engaged workplace where we foster respect and recognition.
• 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.