Program Lead, Emergency Financial Assistance Programs

About Us

The Department of Emergency Management is responsible for leading disaster and emergency planning, preparedness, response and recovery activities on behalf of the Province of Nova Scotia.  The objective of the Department is to ensure that Nova Scotians are safe, prepared and resilient in the face of disasters and emergencies. The Department leads the coordination and co-operation of partners and resources during provincial-level critical incidents, supports municipal and other partners in regional-level and local events, administers the province’s 911 service, maintains critical communications infrastructure and supports operations of our regional emergency management centres.  The Department also works to ensure critical government services continue to function during and after critical events.

The Planning and Preparedness Branch enhances preparedness, reduces vulnerabilities, and ensures a coordinated response to critical incidents and emergencies by:

• Standing up and deploying the Nova Scotia Guard
• Reviewing comprehensive emergency management programs by the province and municipalities and ensuring they are robust
• Conducting thorough risk assessments and advising on mitigation strategies 
• Administering the Disaster Financial Assistance program to ensure recovery takes place as quickly as possible
• Leading strategic policy, including the management of federal and regional agreements and management of legislation, regulations, policies, establishing standards and preparedness initiatives
• Supporting effective risk management and business continuity for the Province, municipalities, and critical infrastructure partners
• Managing the resiliency office
  
  

About Our Opportunity

As the Program Lead, Emergency Financial Assistance Programs, you will lead the administration and continuous improvement of the Emergency Services Provider Fund and Disaster Financial Assistance. You may also support the design and delivery of other emergency-related funding and assistance programs.


Working closely with the Manager, you will provide program, financial and operational leadership. You will help establish clear and consistent program practices, strengthen financial controls, and ensure files and decisions are well documented and audit-ready.

A significant part of this role involves turning program requirements into practical tools and processes. You will develop standard operating procedures, templates, guidance materials, decision documents, reporting tools and other resources that support consistent service delivery. You will also recommend ways to improve programs when policies, community needs or emergency conditions change.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you will:

• Lead the planning, administration, monitoring and continuous improvement of the Emergency Services Provider Fund and Disaster Financial Assistance.
• Support the design and implementation of emergency funding and assistance programs, including programs that may need to be established within short operational timelines.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures, program guidelines, templates, forms, workflows, decision records and other program documentation.
• Establish clear controls and record-keeping practices so that program decisions, expenditures and files are complete, consistent and audit-ready.
• Manage program budgets, forecasts and financial reporting, and identify emerging pressures, risks and opportunities.
• Provide financial analysis, advice and recommendations to the Manager, senior leaders and program colleagues.
• Prepare briefing notes, presentation materials, correspondence, reports, recommendations and decision documents for senior leaders and, where required, the Minister.
• Build collaborative relationships with municipalities, communities, emergency service providers and partners within and outside government.
• Interpret and apply government legislation, policies, financial controls, procurement requirements and administrative processes.
• Support cross-departmental planning and collaboration.
• Act for the Manager during absences, as assigned.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you have completed post-secondary education in public administration, business administration, finance, accounting, commerce or another relevant discipline, plus several years of related experience managing or administering a program. An acceptable combination of education, training and experience will also be considered.

In addition, you have experience

• Managing a budget and financial reporting.
• Developing program documentation, such as standard operating procedures, guidelines, templates, and process maps
• Preparing briefing notes, recommendations, reports, presentations or other decision-support materials.
• Advising senior leaders on complex program, operational, policy or financial matters.

You also demonstrate strong written communication, as well as presentation skills. You think creatively and strategically while maintaining consistent, fair and accountable program delivery. The ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt plans when operational needs or emergency conditions change is essential to your success.

The following are considered assets including:

• Experience with emergency management, disaster recovery, disaster financial assistance or emergency-services funding programs.
• Knowledge of government decision-making, financial administration, or procurement processes.
• Proficiency in both English and French.

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 master’s degree combined with relevant program, policy or financial experience.
• A related diploma combined with substantial relevant experience.
• Significant experience leading programs, managing budgets, developing operational processes and advising senior leaders.

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 a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. Most work is completed in an office and will have competing priorities, deadlines and interruptions, particularly when emergency programs are activated. Occasional travel to site or community visits may be required from time to time.  Some travel or work may occur outside regular business hours.

You must be available to participate in the on-call Duty Officer stand-by rotation and available to support the response and recovery of emergency events as required in the Provincial Coordination Centre.

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