Senior Business Analyst (Program Admin Officer 4)

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 the Disability Support Program (DSP), Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), and Homelessness and Supportive Housing.

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

About Our Opportunity

Opportunities and Social Development is recruiting a Senior Business Analyst to work as part of our dynamic Innovation Team within the Strategic Operations & Innovation division. The Innovation Team leads priority projects and initiatives to enhance programs and service delivery for staff and clients and assists the department in delivering its vision, mission, and mandate.

This role provides advanced research and analysis support to complex program transformation initiatives, such as implementing changes to Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support and Services (ESS), or Income Assistance (IA). You will evaluate complex social services, engage with internal and external partners, identify opportunities for transformation, inform strategic decision-making, produce key deliverables, and support project planning and delivery, all with the goal of improving outcomes for Nova Scotians and strengthening our social service delivery models.

This position reports to the Manager, Innovation, and works closely with Project Directors and Project Managers, while collaborating with internal and external partners. It also includes leadership opportunities such as mentoring junior staff, assigning tasks, and evaluating their work to support team development and project success.

Primary Accountabilities

We are continuing our journey to improve client and system outcomes and count on your expertise to help us achieve this. You will:

• Conduct advanced analysis and research using a variety of internal and external sources to provide strategic insights, options, and recommendations for decision-making.
• Evaluate existing programs and services and identify opportunities for transformation.
• Engage with a wide range of partners to gather, validate and document program and service requirements, process definitions, workflow processes, and current state.
• Facilitate or support facilitation of meetings, communications, and collaboration between project teams and internal and external partners.
• Collaborate across teams and follow project management processes to support planning, implementation, and evaluation activities.
• Develop and deliver change management plans that support the department’s and government’s overall strategy, ensuring outcomes are achieved and sustained.
• Conduct privacy impact assessments, analyze and develop policies, and design outcome measurement frameworks aligned with departmental goals.
• Track requirements throughout project lifecycles and any associated risks, issues, actions, decisions, and lessons learned.
• Prepare or participate in the completion of project deliverables such as process and procedure documents, PowerPoint presentations, and forms.
• Participate in useability and user acceptance testing, including creating test plans, test cases, coordinating testing, and reporting results.

Qualifications and Experience

We’re seeking a strategic and collaborative professional with analytical experience in service transformation, policy analysis, business process improvement, and strategic planning. This role is ideal for someone who thrives in cross-functional environments and is passionate about improving public services and supporting the successful delivery of departmental and government priorities. If you're passionate about contributing to meaningful change and improving outcomes for Nova Scotians, we’d love to hear from you.

As our next team member, you will have a university degree from a recognized school plus at least six (6) years of related experience. An equivalent combination of school, volunteering, training and experience may be considered. We value diverse educational and professional journeys and welcome applicants with experience across sectors, who bring fresh approaches to social innovation. Related experience could include:

• Analytical experience supporting service redesign, policy development, business process improvement, or strategic planning initiatives in complex environments.
• Experience translating and integrating business, technical, client, and staff needs into clear deliverables for decision-making and project implementation.
• Experience preparing and documenting: business cases, service improvement plans, policy briefs, business processes, and outcome measurement frameworks.
• Experience with change management processes and project management methodologies.
• Experience effectively interacting with internal and external partners, understanding their requirements, and communicating clearly. This includes active listening, presentation skills, and the ability to write concise and accurate documentation.
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong relationships across teams, fostering collaboration and trust at all levels of the organisation.
• Demonstrated leadership skills and strategic thinking.
• Experience using MS Office Suite, including proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, and SharePoint, and skilled in creating presentations and process maps.
• Experience working under tight deadlines with rapidly changing priorities, demonstrating time management skills and the ability to multitask complex projects under pressure.

The following will be considered assets:

• Certification or training in Business Analysis, Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, and/or Change Management.
• Exposure to service design, including an understanding of end-to-end services and human-centered design.
• Familiarity with government or public administration processes and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of the Department of Opportunities and Social Development’s programs and services.
• Experience with collaboration tools or data visualization platforms.
• Proficiency in using Adobe Pro to create and manage forms.

We will assess the above qualifications using one or more of the following tools: oral presentations, written assignments, 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. Equivalencies include, but are not limited to:

• A related master’s degree and four (4) years of related experience
• Completion of a 2-year college diploma program and eight (8) years of related experience
• Ten (10) years of total related experience 

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

This role is based in a comfortable office environment and you may be working at your computer for extended periods of time. You may be required to travel to worksite locations.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

This is a temporary opportunity with an anticipated end date of May 8, 2026. The appointment status (‘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.
• Flexible working schedules.