Job Description

Competition # : 38770

Department: Labour, Skills and Immigration

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date: \xe2\x80\x8b5/9/2023\xe2\x80\x8b (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

Designation Status

This opportunity is designated to applicants that identify as Indigenous Person, African Nova Scotian or Other Racially Visible Person, or Person with a Disability.

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.

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

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

The Department of Labour, Skills and Immigration (LSI) works as a trusted partner to grow the population, develop our current and future workforce, and foster inclusive, safe and fair workplaces. This includes welcoming people from across Canada and the world, helping people prepare for job opportunities and build the skills they need, promoting safe work environments and helping employers and employees know their rights and responsibilities. We work together to create a future where everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

The Corporate Policy and Services Branch of LSI is the department\xe2\x80\x99s primary link with the broader government. The Branch helps ensure the department aligns with, and adheres to, government policies, priorities, and processes, and in turn, supports government decision-making.

The Policy and Planning Division, within the Corporate Policy and Services Branch, works collaboratively across the department and with internal and external partners, to develop and implement a clearly defined departmental strategic policy and planning framework to support the achievement of government and department priorities and objectives. The division is the key liaison with the Executive Council Office (ECO) and is the departmental lead for submissions to Executive Council, including Agencies, Boards and Commissions, procurement, and Requests for Legislation. The division takes a lead role in preparing ministerial and deputy ministerial briefing materials, strategic and business planning, and preparations for the House of Assembly.

About Our Opportunity

Are you seeking an opportunity to influence policy development that improves the labour, skills, and immigration sector in Nova Scotia? Do you want to join a team who enjoys brainstorming, solving problems, and bringing new ideas to life? If so, we have an exciting opportunity for you to explore as a Senior Policy Analyst within the Policy and Planning Division. We take a \xe2\x80\x9cpeople first\xe2\x80\x9d approach with our team and our work. We strive to build relationships based on kindness, respect, and collaboration.

As the Senior Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for preparing, coordinating, and leading department Cabinet submissions: leading activities to identify and develop solutions to policy, legislative, and regulatory challenges; undertaking research projects related to complex policy issues, and supporting briefings with senior management.

Building relationships with partners, including those within the department and across government, is important to this position as facilitating consultations and high-level collaborations among partners will be required to advance regulatory and policy initiatives. In this role, you will engage with Senior Management, Directors, program staff, Department of Justice legal staff, the Executive Council Office, other government agencies and departments, and community partners.

As the Senior Policy Analyst, you will report directly to the Manager of Policy in the Policy and Planning Division.

Primary Accountabilities

• Lead corporate initiatives under the departmental business plan and strategic plan.
• Conduct broad policy analysis and development for Labour, Skills and Immigration priorities, as well as having a solid understanding of these priorities to provide advice and leadership of the legislative and regulatory process to client groups.
• Accountable to manage projects using sound project management methods and to work collaboratively with diverse groups to achieve department priorities.
• Achieve both short-term and long-term objectives of the department through the review and evaluation of legislative and regulatory tools proposed by the department and are accountable to ensure you meet government and departmental policy and strategic goals.

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelor\xe2\x80\x99s degree plus six (6) years of related experience or an acceptable equivalent combination of training and experience. Related experience could include policy development and experience with the legislative and regulatory process. You have significant experience with project planning and project management.

You have exceptional communication skills (written and verbal). Experience leading teams and building strong relationships between diverse groups (government, equity-deserving communities and broader communities) to achieve department priorities. You possess strong analytical skills with an ability to synthesize information quickly to develop advice on an array of complex, ambiguous, and conflicting issues and have experience handling complex issues independently.

While not required, it is considered an asset if you have knowledge of government process and procedures for the development and approval of legislated proposals and Cabinet submissions. It is also an asset if you have knowledge of legislative, regulatory and policy issues facing Labour, Skills and Immigration.

Please include information within your application (cover letter or resume) to indicate how your education and experience meet the qualifications listed above.

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

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. 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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• May be required to work overtime on occasion

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: $3,091.70 - $3,631.17 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