Senior Indigenous Policy Advisor (55510)

Role Responsibilities

The Senior Indigenous Policy Advisor contributes to the continuous improvement of unit operations, and supports unit, branch, ministry, and GoA initiatives by establishing and maintaining positive and effective working relationships with key stakeholders, in particular, officials from within the branch, from other branches, divisions, Ministries, jurisdictions, and First Nations, Métis and Inuit organizations and communities.
 

Working within the Policy & Planning branch of the Indigenous Health Division, as the Senior Indigenous Policy Advisor you will support improved health outcomes for Indigenous peoples in Alberta. More specifically you will be directly responsible for: 

• Developing, coordinating, facilitating, leading, and implementing targeted strategies and policy options to address prominent health issues among Indigenous Albertans and across the continuum of care.
• Conducting policy analysis, monitoring policy issues both provincial and federal, developing briefing materials and correspondence, and providing policy advice and direction for the Minister and management about Indigenous health-based topics, issues, and concerns.
• Implementing and evaluating plans associated with the Modernizing Alberta's Primary Health Care System Initiative Indigenous stream, and to support Alberta Health's response to federal Indigenous health initiatives, including proposed federal distinctions-based legislation relating to Indigenous health.
• Policy monitoring, analyzing and preparing briefing materials associated with Jordan's Principle implementation.
• Provide subject matter expertise about Indigenous peoples, culture, and policy to other branches and divisions within the ministry.
• Conducting research, monitoring media, identifying emerging trends and accumulate intelligence on Indigenous health policy issues in Alberta and nationally.
• Providing support to the Partnerships and Collaboration Branch, where you will provide policy advice, recommendations, and relevant briefing materials on related items arising from formal engagement tables, further supporting improved coordination and information sharing on Indigenous health-related policy matters within the Department and across Ministries.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in a related field (Public Health, Policy, Indigenous Affairs, Political Science or related) supplemented by a minimum of four years progressively responsible related experience. 
 

Related experience or education may be considered as an equivalency on a one for one basis:

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience (masters plus 2 years of experience); or
• 1 year of experience for 1 year of education (diploma plus 6 years of experience)
   

The following experience is required: 

• Experience conducting policy analysis, monitoring policy issues both provincial and/or federal to aid in the development of briefing materials and correspondence.
• Experience providing policy advice and direction to leadership strategic initiatives intended to reform the health system in general.
• Developing, coordinating, facilitating, leading, and implementing targeted strategies and policy options to address prominent health issues across the continuum of care.
• Have extensive experience interpreting, applying federal/provincial/territorial health policy and knows how to identify the implications to Alberta. 
• Experience with the policy development processes and procedures, including impacts of bilateral versus multilateral consultation and/or negotiation processes.
• Experience interpreting and applying all relevant Federal and Provincial health legislation and policy levers.
• The Constitution Acts (1867 and 1982), the Canada Health Act, the Canada Health Transfer, Jordan’s Principle) and how they impact health. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action; Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls National Action Plan; The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act; An Act respecting the recognition of certain Métis governments in Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan, to give effect to treaties with those governments and to make consequential amendments to other Acts; and the Indian Act). 
• Knowledge about First Nation, Métis and Inuit organizations, communities, governance, engagement, and culture.
   

Preference will be given to those applicants who have experience in the design and delivery of Indigenous health policy and legislation.

Following are considered assets for the position: 

• Completion of a Master's degree in a related area such as public administration, public policy, public health, Indigenous affairs or political science.
• Project management experience.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

This is a full-time position working 36.25 hours per week. 
 

Candidates with lesser qualifications may be considered at a lower classification and salary. This competition may be used to fill future roles at the same or lower classifications.
 

The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).
 

In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. Also, please indicate whether your work experience is casual, part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 - June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
 

Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in. 
 

What we offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages- working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) - https://www.pspp.ca
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information - https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits    
• Professional learning and development - https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance
• Opportunity to participate in flexible work arrangements such as working from home up to two days per week and modified work schedule agreements
• Leadership and mentorship programs