Senior Policy Analyst

About Us

Building and maintaining our provincial infrastructure is no small job. Link Nova Scotia is a provincial Crown corporation tasked with long-range strategic transportation planning across Halifax and surrounding communities. We work across jurisdictions and levels of government to promote collaboration. Halifax and surrounding communities have been growing at a rapid pace recently, and population and economic growth are key priorities for the province. Planning for such growth requires collaboration across all levels of government, businesses, communities, and interest groups, and a long-term strategy to ensure the region’s transportation system can provide support in a sustainable and resilient manner.   

About Our Opportunity

The Senior Policy Analyst with Link Nova Scotia provides policy leadership and expertise to multiple branches on major policy, regulatory, and legislative initiatives. This position is consistently called upon to lead from start to finish a variety of complex policy projects while developing legislative, regulatory, policy, and process initiatives that that are strategically aligned with Link Nova Scotia priorities.

The Senior Policy Analyst provides mentorship to analysts and leaders within Link NS on effective policy development and has overall responsibility for policy requirements. This position also makes effective recommendations with a focus on strategic decision-making and impact of recommendations, provides policy analysis and strategic advice to the senior leadership team at Link NS to promote effective planning, policy development, implementation and evaluation of programs and policies related to land use and transportation infrastructure to ensure evidence-based decision making. Will also lead projects and participate in multi-disciplinary, interdepartmental and intergovernmental teams of senior staff in the identification and analysis of options and recommendations to respond to a broad range of policy issues. Additionally, the Senior Policy Analyst will play a major role in supporting informed, effective decision-making within Link Nova Scotia, coordinate and participate extensively in areas of policy development and legislative change, and lead the Agency's business planning process and accountability requirements to assure good governance.

Primary Accountabilities

As the Senior Policy Analyst, you will be responsible for leading a variety of complex policy projects from start to finish, including developing legislative, regulatory, policy, and process initiatives that that are strategically aligned with Link Nova Scotia priorities. This work requires conducting comprehensive research, analysis, measurement, and evaluation of complex policy issues to provide strategic advice to senior leadership. This involves expert knowledge of research methods, coordination of multi-disciplinary teams to develop and/or review a wide range of deliverables, including reports, presentations, briefing notes, submissions, and other materials.  

Within a typical day you will also be responsible for: 

• Developing and evaluating policy options and related background material.
• Independently leading aspects of the policy and legislative process, including preparation of submissions to Executive Council.
• Leading and/or participating in working groups on specific policy issues and playing a leadership role to ensure project deadlines are met and senior staff are aware of progress.
• Preparing briefing notes and correspondence for senior staff on a wide range of matters related to Link Nova Scotia’s mandate.
• Seeking out and developing effective working relationships across a variety of departments, crown corporations, and levels of government to ensure joint policy and planning development.
• In conjunction with the Department of Public Work’s Policy and Corporate Services department, ensuring submissions to Treasury and Policy Board and Executive Council reflect a coordinated approach to policies and priorities, and that submissions are in accordance with the priorities and process of the Government of Nova Scotia.
• Contribute to the effective planning and management of the Agency’s legislative and regulatory agenda by engaging stakeholders to address key issues; researching emerging trends and best practices; and identify strategies to achieve agency goals.
• Identify shortcomings, suggest improvements to existing processes, systems, and procedures, and deliver plans for elements of a change management program in collaboration with senior colleagues and the project team.
• Coordinate and prepare clear, accurate, and timely briefing materials, presentations, and correspondence.

Qualifications and Experience

As our next Senior Policy Analyst, you will hold a bachelor's degree in a policy-related field plus five (5) years of progressive experience in policy analysis and research. You will demonstrate experience with the following:

• Progressive position responsibility.
• Superior writing skills with proven experience in report writing and preparation of briefing materials.
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to build collaborative working relationships.
• Knowledge of and/or experience within the provincial legislative environment.
• Computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

In addition to the above, you will have strong leadership skills, 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. You can undertake a high-level of work under tight deadlines, and exercise sound judgement under pressure.  Lastly, you will be able to work cohesively in a team environment and be able to take on complex assignments with minimal supervision.

The following will be considered assets:

• Knowledge of structure, processes, and key players in Government.
• Knowledge/experience in the field of transportation
• Public policy development and analysis.
• Experience with legislative projects.
  
  

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. Equivalencies may include, but are not limited to: 

• A completed Masters degree and 3 years of 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

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day. 

Additional Information

This is a Permanent employment opportunity.

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.