Assistant Clerk, Operations and Interparliamentary Relations

About Us

Province House is one of the oldest legislative buildings in continuous use in North America and has been designated both a National Historic Site and a Provincial Heritage Property.

The Nova Scotia Legislature is the legislative branch of the Government of Nova Scotia. It is made up of democratically elected representatives (the MLAs) who form the House of Assembly, and the Lieutenant Governor. The Legislature makes laws, controls provincial public spending, and monitors and questions the executive branch’s policies and action.

About Our Opportunity

The Assistant Clerk, Operations and Interparliamentary Relations assists the Chief Clerk in all duties.

Primary Accountabilities

The Assistant Clerk, Operations and Interparliamentary Relations will be expected to:

• Provide overall leadership in the strategic direction, priority-setting and management of all operational and technological matters and the conduct of interparliamentary affairs and education, ensuring that these matters are undertaken in a non-partisan manner that supports the legislative work of the Members of the House of Assembly.
• Foster a collegial and partnering culture between the Clerk’s Office, House of Assembly Operations and Legislative Television and Broadcasting Services, the caucus offices and the Premier’s Office by maintaining alliances with and positively influencing senior strategic partners to ensure their support and positive engagement with events and activities taking part at Province House which in turn support their work.
• Lead the continuous strengthening of House of Assembly Operations and Legislative Television and Broadcasting Services and their capacity to deliver quality services and solutions to Members of the House and the public and to adapt to new challenges to ensure that operations of these divisions meet the goals, objectives and the needs of the Speaker and Members by coaching and mentoring division staff, emphasizing strategic thinking skills, building effective working relationships and promoting and setting the standard for a solutions-focused work culture.
• Ensure the effective management of House of Assembly Operations and Legislative Television and Broadcasting Services by setting and evaluating staff performance targets, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating the leadership competencies, respecting corporate human resources practices, promoting teamwork and individual development, maintaining internal communication, and providing strategic oversight of these offices.
• Provides advice and feedback to the Chief Clerk in the development of policies and programs to ensure these can be operationally supported and executed by House of Assembly Operations and Legislative Television and Broadcasting Services. Collaborates with the Chief Clerk and other senior managers to collectively manage the
• House of Assembly and establish priorities that ensure an integrated and coordinated approach to the delivery of relevant services to Members and the public as well as to facilitate capacity-building in the Assembly offices.

Primary Accountabilities (continued)

Assist the Chief Clerk in providing accurate, comprehensive, and timely procedural advice to the Speaker, Deputy Speakers, House Leaders and other Members of the House and ensures the proper conduct of the business of the Assembly by ensuring that the appropriate rules and procedures are applied to all stages of the business of the Assembly in a consistent, fair and equitable manner as directed by the Chief Clerk.

• Provide overall leadership and oversight over operations, including visitor services, interparliamentary affairs and education and outreach and supports the Chief Clerk in the administration and coordination in the events of the Nova Scotia Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and such other interparliamentary organizations as the Chief Clerk may direct, functioning as the Assistant Branch Secretary.
• Assist the Chief Clerk and the Assistant Clerk, Information Management and Committees, in the exercise and performance of their powers and duties and may be designated by the Chief Clerk to act for the Chief Clerk as operations require.

Qualifications and Experience

This position is suitable for a person with a university degree (particularly in political science, public administration or law) and 5+ years of experience in parliamentary or public administration (or an equivalent combination of education and experience) and a strong interest in pursuing a career in the functions and administration of parliament. The Assistant Clerk has strong organizational, managerial and communication skills, has an aptitude for detail and accuracy, is able to work closely with others, and is non-partisan. Experience in a federal or provincial legislature, in constitutional and parliamentary practices and procedure, and in parliamentary record keeping, procedural databases and inter-parliamentary relations, would all be assets.

While not required, it is considered an asset if you are functionally bilingual (English/French)

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

Significant evening and some weekend work will be required, especially during sittings of the House.

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 for Nova Scotians.
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus