Health Economist (Economist 3)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we are committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on continual improvements within the health system, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we need leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Data Scientist, you will be responsible for providing analytical and technical support on health economic policy issues relevant to the Nova Scotia health sector. This position will research economic studies and economic strategies for a range of program options to support the ongoing sustainability of the Nova Scotia health sector, and further will be responsible for developing quantitative methodologies applicable to the health sector.

In this position you will also lead other health-related advanced analytical projects and model complex business problems, discovering business insights and identifying opportunities using statistical, algorithmic, mining and visualization techniques. You will employ innovative techniques and methodologies to reveal insights held within strategic data assets. In addition, the incumbent is responsible for integrating and preparing large, varied datasets, architecting specialized databases, and communicating results to a broad group of stakeholders.

Primary Accountabilities

More specifically, in this role you will:

• Use your knowledge and expertise in methods of producing statistical inference to create strategic insights for improving the value for money spent on healthcare in Nova Scotia.
• Conceptualize and implement complex economic studies using cost-benefit, cost-effectiveness, budget impact assessments, or other methods of statistical inference to produce analytical research findings relevant to DHW’s strategic objectives.
• Engage in knowledge translation and communication of results of complex financial and health economic analysis into practical use through reports, briefing notes, fact sheets, slide decks, and oral presentations to a largely non-financial client population and disseminate information to managers/stakeholders/users
• Produce health economic forecasts for strategic investment planning and senior management briefings, public forecast updates, and long-term program planning.
• Initiate proactive analysis of data to uncover insights hidden in existing and new data sources.
• Maintain cutting-edge competency in the highly strategic and complex field of health economic analysis to ensure evidence-informed advice provided to executive leadership is accurate.
• Develop and maintain productive relationships across government, the health system, and various external partners, such as academia.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

This role requires the incumbent to hold a Bachelor’s degree in a related field (e.g. statistics, economics, health economics, or econometrics) and 5 years of related experience; or a Master’s degree in a related field (e.g. statistics, economics, health economics, or econometrics) and 2 years of related experience. Recent experience must include projects with a quantitative statistical emphasis.

As the successful candidate, you possess strong interpersonal skills, enjoy working in a fast-paced, agile environment, and can demonstrate the following:

• Excellent communication (verbal and written), presentation and consultation skills, and the ability to articulate information in a way that many users readily understand.
• Strong interpersonal and negotiation abilities which enable you to effectively support diverse clients and manage difficult conversations.
• Extensive knowledge undertaking appropriate economic analysis and using analytical tools.
• Demonstrated recent experience in analyzing, interpreting, and reporting data and information from large health-related administrative databases to support the planning and management of the health care system or other health initiatives.
• Demonstrated proficiency in methodological design, querying, and analyzing data, using the integration of multiple datasets to produce informative reports, dashboards, graphs, and statistical outputs. 
• Proven capabilities using Microsoft Structured Query Language (SQL), Microsoft Excel, and experience using statistical analysis software capable of handling large datasets and complex analyses (R, Python, Stata, etc.)
  
  

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

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Additional Information

This is a Temporary employment opportunity with anticipated end date of April 30, 2027.  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
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.