Program Admin Officer 3 (Designated)

Designation Status

Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. Under the Government of Nova Scotia’s Employment Equity Policy, this position is designated and therefore, only applicants from the following group will be considered: African Nova Scotian and People of African Descent 

As examples these are persons who identify as Black, and/or of African ancestry, African, African Canadian, Caribbean/Afro-Caribbean, or African American.

Information Session

Please join us for a virtual information session on our Program Admin Officer 3 (Designated) position with African Nova Scotian Affairs. During this session you will also have the opportunity to ask questions about the department, role, and application process. This session will be held on October 2, 2025 at 11:30 am, AST and hosted by the Director, Government and Community Relations.

You may join here:
Microsoft Teams meeting - Click here: Meeting join link 

Please note: your name will be displayed to all those who register for this session.

About Us

African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA) is a vital link that connects government and historic African Nova Scotian and more recent African Descent issues. ANSA promotes understanding of historic African Nova Scotia and more recent African Descent issues; draws attention to the priorities that matter to communities; and supports concerns that need be addressed. These efforts are essential to help government better serve African Nova Scotians.

ansa.novascotia.ca

https://cch.novascotia.ca/

About Our Opportunity

The Program Administration Officer 3 (PAO 3) facilitates and develops networks of community groups, provides educational and community development tools and monitors the community environment. The PAO 3 position provides adequate services that will result in opportunities for self-reliance and increase the positive and social development of the community. This position is responsible for the administration and promotion of various government and African Nova Scotian Affairs sponsored programs and the administration of the African Nova Scotian Affairs (ANSA) grant program.

Primary Accountabilities

In this position, you will be responsible for building relationships that will promote and support community and government initiatives. This will include providing support, direction, planning tools and advice to community groups. You will work directly with community groups to facilitate workshops; lead information sharing sessions and deliver presentations to build community capacity. In addition, you will promote opportunities for members of the community and community groups by providing information and advice regarding relevant government programs and services. You will also be responsible for the administration and promotion of the African Nova Scotian Affairs Grants and Contributions program. You will represent African Nova Scotian Affairs by working to develop and enhance strategic partnerships and alliances among community partners, while encouraging communities to work together.

Other responsibilities include assisting with the department’s strategic planning process, by designing, developing, modifying, and/or implementing programs, and by providing advice, analysis and interpretation. Furthermore, you will support and promote access to government programs and services by responding to requests for information, by maintaining current knowledge of the available resources, by providing navigational support for grant writers, and by conducting environmental scans of the communities to identify emerging local issues. Lastly, you will monitor programs and community issues by researching, analyzing and investigating (independently and/or with community) to develop resolution of issues.

Region of Work

The position primarily covers the Southwestern/Annapolis Valley Region of the province, where the majority of duties and responsibilities will be focused. While the primary focus is regional, the position may require involvement in certain provincial initiatives and projects. This means the PAO 3 will occasionally engage in duties and collaborative efforts that span the entire province, contributing to broader programs and strategies that impact multiple regions. This combination of local attention, regional focus and provincial involvement requires a dynamic and comprehensive scope to the African Nova Scotian community and African descent communities across province.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful in this role, you will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts, Public Administration, Business or other relevant post-secondary field of study. In addition, you possess 5 years of related experience. An equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered. You have direct experience working with and awareness of issues affecting the African Nova Scotian and African descent Community. In addition, you have experience administering programs, conducting research, and engaging with various stakeholders to assist with the implementation of programs, projects or services. The following skills are also critical:

• excellent interpersonal and communication skills:
• strong partnering and relationship-building skills;
• strong research and analytical skills (able to take complex or high volume of data and transfer into lay terms);
• acting as a team player from a remote office location;
• excellent problem solving and conflict resolution skills;
• tact, diplomacy and sound judgment;
• intercultural and diversity proficiency;
• strong report-writing skills;
• adaptability and flexibility;
• takes initiative;
• able to work independently and as part of a team;
• competency and experience in an automated, computerized environment; and
• ability to take initiative to work and communicate with sensitivity and confidentiality.

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

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

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

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of September 4, 2026. The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

This is a 'regional' position with travel responsibility between Hants, Colchester & Cumberland Counties.

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