Senior Policy Analyst, Gender Based Violence

About Us

The Department of Justice is responsible for the administration of justice and for promoting access to justice and the safety and security of Nova Scotians through justice-related programs, services and initiatives. We are guided by the principles of preventative and restorative justice in fulfilling our mandate. Our efforts to promote safety, security, and access to justice for Nova Scotians span all areas of the Department and include programs and services that assist vulnerable people including Indigenous Nova Scotians, African-Nova Scotians, and Nova Scotians with disabilities.

To accomplish its mandate, the Department provides services through seven core business areas: Public Safety and Security; Court Services and Sheriff Services; Correctional Services; Maintenance Enforcement and Victim Services; Accessibility Directorate; Restorative Initiatives Unit; and, Legal Services to Government. For more information on the Department of Justice please visit our website: https://novascotia.ca/just/
 

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of the Gender Based Violence Division, Department of Justice, as Senior Policy Analyst you develop, implement, evaluate, and make recommendations on policy for the department of Justice on the complex policy initiatives that advance Nova Scotia’s response to gender-based violence.

In this role, you will support the development, implementation, and evaluation of policy, legislative, and regulatory initiatives that are implementation-ready, equity-informed, and aligned with government priorities and operational realities. You will work closely with interdepartmental partners, community, and system partners to support cross-government reform initiatives, including work associated with the Ministers’ Table on Gender-Based Violence and other divisional priority initiatives.

This position requires strong professional judgment, systems thinking, and the ability to navigate sensitive, high-impact policy issues within a complex and evolving environment.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Senior Policy Analyst, you will:

• Conduct advanced research, analysis, measurement and evaluation on complex policy issues related to gender-based violence, justice system capacity, service delivery, and public safety. This includes the preparation of reports, presentations, briefing notes, and submissions. 
• Develop and submit policy options and recommendations that consider legal, fiscal, operational, and equity impacts, as well as input from consultations and engagement processes.
• Lead and support policy initiatives from concept through implementation, including the development of frameworks, performance measures, and governance approaches.  
• Identify and apply innovative methodologies, digital solutions, and modern analytical tools to strengthen policy development, evidence-informed decision-making, reporting, and service delivery planning.
• Prepare high-quality briefing materials, reports, presentations, and submissions for senior leadership, Ministers, and central agencies (e.g., Executive Council, Finance and Treasury Board).
• Provide strategic advice on policy trade-offs, risks, system impacts, and interdependencies across government mandates.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to support coordinated, whole-of-government approaches to complex system challenges.
• Represent the Department on interdepartmental, intergovernmental, and sectoral working groups related to gender-based violence and justice system reform.
• Contribute to accountability, reporting, and planning processes, including outcome tracking and performance reporting.
• Develop and participate in briefings and presentations to support Senior Leadership.
• Provide leadership in the developmental of long-term strategic plans to address critical issues and to contribute to the planning of the division’s legislative priorities. This includes promoting broad dialogue among stakeholders to address key issues; undertaking environmental scanning to identify emerging trends; researching best practices; and, promoting involvement by staff in the identification of strategies.
   

Qualifications and Experience

You hold a university degree in a relevant discipline such as public administration, social sciences, law, or a related field, along with several years of progressively responsible experience in policy research, analysis, and development. An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered.

You bring experience in several of the following areas:  

•    Policy research, analysis, and development
•    Legislative and regulatory analysis
•    Project management and/or coordination
•    Briefing and report writing
•    Stakeholder engagement and interdepartmental collaboration  
•    Experience working with Gender Based Violence initiatives

As the successful candidate, you ideally bring extensive experience in both gender-based violence (GBV) and policy development, enabling you to effectively lead and inform evidence-based policy initiatives in this critical area. Your expertise will be central to shaping, analyzing, and advancing policies and strategies that prevent and respond to GBV, while meeting the criteria outlined above. You possess a deep and nuanced understanding of the complex, systemic nature of GBV and its far-reaching impacts on individuals, families, and communities. With a strong commitment to equity and inclusion, you are dedicated to translating your GBV knowledge into impactful policy solutions that drive meaningful and sustained change.

This position requires expert knowledge of research methods, as well as the ability to co-ordinate multi-disciplinary teams to achieve deliverables. 

You demonstrate strong analytical and critical-thinking skills, excellent written and verbal communication abilities, and the capacity to manage multiple complex files simultaneously. You approach your work with sound judgment, discretion, and a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, particularly when working on sensitive or high-impact issues.

In addition, you are highly motivated, and you have excellent facilitation and communication skills (both verbal and written). Partnering collaboratively with stakeholders to achieve common goals, you apply the concepts of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Strong planning, organizational and administrative skills are important in setting priorities, meeting deadlines, and managing multiple assignments. You also have strong critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.  

The following competencies are important for this position: Conceptual Thinking, Strategic Orientation, Outcome Focus, Initiative, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency. 

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

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

Benefits

Based on the employment status, 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

• Normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day
• Some overtime work required
• Dynamic continuously evolving work environment 
   

Additional Information

This is a permanent full-time employment opportunity located in Halifax, NS.
 

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.