Director, Supportive Housing and Homelessness

About Us

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Disability Support Program (DSP), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), and Supportive Housing and Homelessness.

Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure.  We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports, staff, and partners to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

About Our Opportunity

We’re hiring a Director, Supportive Housing and Homelessness to lead operational activities and administration, guide policy development, and implement strategic provincial and cross-governmental initiatives for the Department’s Homelessness and Supportive Housing Portfolio.

In this critical leadership role, we’re seeking a candidate whose passion is leading with a person-focused approach and is able to identify and implement innovative models and solutions that strengthen services in Nova Scotia. This is a highly collaborative role as you lead, build, and maintain critical relationships and solicit the involvement of strategic partners within the private and community sectors.

Primary Accountabilities

The Department continues to enhance strategies and strengthen the services and programs we provide, and as a Director, you will be responsible for the effective, economic, and efficient management of services to operate the department’s Supportive Housing and Homelessness portfolio. We will count on your expertise to:

• Develop policies and processes which ensure effective coordination and strategic planning related to the design, development and management of homelessness and supportive housing programs and initiatives.
• Strategically transform operations and modernize, standardize, and optimize services delivered.
• Plan, advance and oversee the strategic long-term operational transformation and modernization of all aspects of Supportive Housing and Homelessness to best support Nova Scotians to find safe and affordable housing, advancing achievement of person-focused outcomes within a social determinants of health approach.
• Manage a balance of preventative and emergency-focused interventions that reduce the number of individuals and families in crisis, while ensuring effective programming responses that are flexible and responsive to urgent and emerging needs.
• Develop financial modelling and analysis, and build an operational plan, performance measures, targets, and
• Report on progress to senior leadership, Deputy Minister and/or Minister regularly by providing ongoing advice and briefings.

Qualifications and Experience

You have completed a related Bachelor's or Master's degree combined with several years of professional experience that evidences an understanding of the challenges, barriers and opportunities facing Nova Scotians experiencing poverty and/or persons experiencing homelessness. Furthermore, you demonstrate knowledge of provincial and federal programs and data related to people experiencing poverty and/or homelessness.

As our next Director, you are always seeking new ways to support vulnerable Nova Scotians, address barriers, and enhance programs. Previous work, or lived experience related to housing instability or homelessness, is an asset.

In addition, you work well under pressure and are a leader who inspires and challenges others to be creative, innovative, and collaborative. You ensure an inclusion and diversity lens is applied to the development and management of all strategies, policies, standards, program design, and initiatives. You have an understanding of anti-black racism within Nova Scotia and how historical trauma and systemic racism adversely impact underrepresented communities.

You must have experience with collaborating with a wide variety of partners, including (but not limited to) non-profit or community-based organizations and government agencies.  Your analytical nature is essential for identifying opportunities, determining program requirements, evaluating alternatives, and providing strategic recommendations. In your career, you have demonstrated an ability to execute and deliver actions in the short-term, along with experience in developing and implementing a vision with a longer-term outlook. You are an innovative thinker and a natural, strong communicator who excels at building relationships.

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. 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

Excellent people skills and personal resilience are essential to succeed in this highly collaborative, human-centred environment. Your decisions have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of many, requiring your ability to balance conflicting views with multiple stakeholders.

The demands of this position necessitate flexible hours and may require frequent attention outside regular business hours. Many services operate 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week, and you may be called upon to deal with escalated issues after regular working hours. There may be travel to offices throughout the various regions.

Additional Information

This is a TERM  employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of January 5, 2029.  The appointment status (‘term’, ‘temporary’ or ‘casual’) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate.

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