Senior Policy Analyst (Program Admin Officer 4)

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’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, continuing care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, 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

Do you want to be a part of the exciting changes happening in the Nova Scotian Health System?

As the Senior Policy Analyst with Health Services Navigation and Virtual Care, you will be responsible for developing, implementing and managing large projects usually involving all phases of work from strategic planning and policy development through to successful implementation and monitoring. This important role is key for continuing to move forward improvements to health services navigation and virtual care systems in Nova Scotia.

Primary Accountabilities

Within a typical day, you will also be responsible for:

• Leading identified division functions (e.g., research and policy);
• Developing and evaluating policy options and related background material;
• Leading aspects of the legislative process, including preparation of submissions to Executive Council;
• Preparing reports, briefing books and responses relating to health services navigation and virtual care and other related health system issues in Nova Scotia;
• Leading and/or participating in working groups on specific policy issues;
• Working within a team to coordinate interest holder consultations and other public meetings;
• Preparing briefing notes and correspondence for senior departmental staff on a wide range of matters related to the department’s mandate.
  
  

As a subject matter lead in the fields of Health Services Navigation and virtual care, you will provide expertise and advisory services to department staff with respect to research and policy development as well as work with senior department staff on major policy, research and procedural matters. You will also have the opportunity to work directly with provincial and inter-governmental health care interest holders and may represent the department on inter-departmental initiatives.

Qualifications and Experience

To be successful within this role, you will hold a bachelor's degree in a health-related field plus 6 years of progressive experience in a related health care field or an acceptable equivalent of training and experience. You will also have working experience with the following:
 

Policy Development and Research Experience:

• Progressive policy analyst experience such as conducting, leading, and/or participating in research and analysis projects; participating in the development of service specific policy or program frameworks
• Experience in preparation of business cases and briefing materials; prepare and present complex research analyses, detailed policy framework, speeches, briefing papers and other products
• Knowledge of policy and research tools, performance management methodologies and metrics
• Excellent writing and communication skills

Program Design, Development and/or Evaluation Experience:

• Participate in the monitoring and development of program policies and programs
• Experience understanding data and trends to make recommendations for policy or program changes and improvements
• Program evaluation training and / or experience

Project Management and Facilitation Experience:

• Project management and facilitation skills such as your experience in project planning and leadership on health policy development projects

Leadership and Relationship Management Skills:

• Strong leadership and relationship management skills with proven ability to build collaborative working relationships with internal colleagues and external partners
• Active listening and effective ability to communicate clearly
  
  

In addition to the above, you will have strong independent judgement and initiative as well as the ability to manage and conduct complex and specialized research and policy analysis.  You will be well-organized, capable of managing change and competing priorities, undertake high level work under tight deadlines, and exercising sound judgement under pressure.  Lastly, you will be able to work cohesively in a team environment and be able to undertake complex assignments without supervision.

The following will be considered assets:

• A master's degree in a related field such as Health Administration or Public Administration
• Experienced in developing and evaluating strategic policies and processes and translating policy into legislation
• Experience and understanding working in the areas of Health Services Navigation and virtual health services
• Experience working within provincial government and following established processes
  
  

Please clearly illustrate in your cover letter how you meet the above qualifications.

We will assess the above qualifications 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.

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.

Additional Information

This competition will be used to fill 1 term position based in Halifax with a projected end date of March 31, 2028. Note that the status of the position (term/temporary) is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate and the overall duration of the position in alignment with timelines outlined in the collective agreement.

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.