Executive Director African NS Affairs (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:  Due to the nature of this project, this is a designated position that is restricted to members of the African Nova Scotian community and other racially visible persons. Lived experience in a historical African Nova Scotian Community is a requirement for this position.

See the Nova Scotia Government’s Employment Equity Policy for more information, including additional details on the designated groups.

About Us

African Nova Scotian Affairs works with government, communities and partners to help provide services and programs for the African Nova Scotian community. We work within the community to keep African Nova Scotians informed and to encourage involvement. We also support activities that bring African Nova Scotians together to network, share ideas and identify opportunities for development and growth. African Nova Scotian Affairs is a division of the Department of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage

About Our Opportunity

The Executive Director is accountable to the Deputy Minister of the Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage for the senior executive leadership required to develop, direct, implement, and manage strategies, policies, and programs administration of the mandate to ensure ANSA carries out its responsibilities through the functionally diverse and specialized core business lines: 1) Intergovernmental Relations, 2) Corporate African Nova Scotian Affairs, 3) Consultation, 4) Negotiations, 5) Policy, 6) Public Education and Awareness, and 7) Program Implementation.
 

ANSA places a very strong emphasis on relationship-building and collaborative approaches with respect to the African Nova Scotian community as these are at the root of successful progress for African Nova Scotian people and the Nova Scotia community at large.

It is within this context that the Executive Director is accountable for effectively Integrating the range of activity within ANSA and managing the operations, services, and legislative mandate of the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs.  In addition, the Executive Director is responsible for the lead in consultation and collaboration with key partners including the Government of Canada, other provincial governments, Nova Scotia and the African Nova Scotian People. Managing a professional team and executive leadership of strategic initiatives and operations are cornerstones of the position.

The Executive Director is the principal advisor to the Associate Deputy Minister on all matters related to African Nova Scotian policy, legislation, and emerging issues with both the Provincial and Federal government. The Executive Director will provide strong leadership to a multi-functional team utilizing modern management practices to ensure the delivery of the following key supports: strategic relationships; key negotiations excellence; and strategic and corporate advice.

ANSA fosters and maintains conditions for opportunities through its relationships with community organizations, community leaders, and community members.

Primary Accountabilities

• Cultivates effective working relationships between the Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs and the African Nova Scotian communities, other government departments, other provincial governments, the federal government, and other relevant parties by establishing appropriate working and advisory linkages.
• Leads negotiations with key partners at the most senior executive levels within and across all levels of government and the African Nova Scotian community to achieve shared solutions on a range of sector specific issues.
• Address long standing prejudices that have had a devastating social and economic impact on African Nova Scotian Communities
• Provides executive advice and leadership on managing provincial obligations with respect to consultation and negotiation.
• Leads the support of strong and stable relations between African Nova Scotians and the Government of Nova Scotia by bringing focus to and finding practical solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing the Office and the African Nova Scotian Community.
• Leads the corporate approach within the Province on matters related to African Nova Scotians, representing the interests of the Province in initiatives and negotiations by providing research, analysis and policy advice to Government on African Nova Scotian issues.

Qualifications and Experience

To be considered for this leadership opportunity, you hold a university degree in a related field with substantial senior leadership experience in negotiations (an equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered).
 

You are a recognized leader, a strong and effective communicator, and you possess experience in leading teams. You are committed to open communication, collaboration and consultation with staff, partners and stake holders and are recognized for your personal and professional credibility, creative problem-solving ability, and in-depth experience leading cross-organizational programs and initiatives.

Equivalency

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application

LEADS

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework.  During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

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.

Benefits

Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria. 

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