Policy Advisor / Analyst

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Please note: Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application online via the Jobs.gc.ca site. Failure to provide a complete application consisting of both answers to the screening questions and a résumé may result in your application being rejected. You must complete the screening questions and clearly demonstrate how you meet the education and experience criteria listed in the essential qualifications and other qualifications.

Duties

As a member of the Policy, Advocacy and Coordination (PAC) Branch, the Policy Advisor / Analyst would be responsible to: conduct research and analysis in support of policy and program development; prepare briefing notes, fact sheets, presentations, and other materials, as needed; and participate in seminars and events. In particular, the Advisor / Analyst would focus on and monitor a broad range of issues relevant to the economies of Nova Scotia and/or Atlantic Canada, such as innovation, skills and immigration, trade, investment, clean growth, tourism, and infrastructure. In addition, the Policy Advisor / Analyst would analyze and report on federal, provincial, and municipal government priorities and issues of relevance to the province and region.

Work environment

At the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), we are invested in our people, our communities, and our economy. Every single one of our employees contributes to our success and the success of our region. We work together to help businesses become more competitive, innovative and productive, to develop and diversify local economies in our communities, and to champion the strengths of Atlantic Canada.

We are currently seeking a highly motivated and action-oriented Policy Advisor / Analyst to support our team. Someone who is passionate about public policy and can bring with them new and innovative ideas.

We are a team of dynamic and talented professionals who:
• take pride in the results of our work;
• promote work/life balance; and,
• provide an environment that encourages and supports continuous learning throughout your career.

Over the past decade, ACOA has consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the federal government. To give you a better idea of who we are, watch this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WM8ICy6ZrvE

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to create a pool of candidates to staff anticipated permanent and/or temporary vacancies. Other federal departments may be able to use this pool.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION
- Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in economics, sociology or statistics.

NOTE: Candidates must always have a degree. The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and may have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE
- Experience with written and oral briefings for senior officials*, including the preparation of briefing products (e.g., briefing notes, reports, presentations, recommendations, proposals)
*Definition senior officials = Director-level and above
- Experience conducting economic and/or socio-economic policy research and/or policy analysis to support decision making.
- Experience working with, or participating in committees or working groups involving federal, provincial/territorial partners or stakeholders, such as industry, national or international organizations, or non-profit organizations.
- Experience leading and managing projects with demanding deadlines.

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge and understanding of key economic and socio-economic issues of relevance to Atlantic Canada.
- Knowledge of the methods or steps used to carry out policy research or policy analysis.

COMPETENCIES
- Ability to work independently on complex issues
- Initiative
- Judgement
- Demonstrating integrity and respect
- Analytical thinking
- Effective interpersonal relationship
- Effective written and oral communication

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

ASSET EDUCATION
- Masters degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field relevant to the duties of the position (such as public/business administration, economics, statistics, political science, commerce).

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE
- Experience researching and/or analyzing and/or developing policy options on the priority areas of the Government of Canada in Atlantic Canada (innovation, trade and investment, tourism, clean growth/climate change, skilled workforce/immigration, infrastructure development).
- Experience analyzing and evaluating economic factors and trends.
- Experience in developing and curating information collections and, using available technology, distributing publications and research material in a timely manner to end users.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
Based on the position to be staffed:
- English Essential
- Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC)

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
- In support of achieving a represented workforce, current or future organizational needs may require consideration be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: women, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and Aboriginal peoples.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability and willingness to travel, as required.
- Ability and willingness to work outside working hours with minimal notice.
- Valid driver's license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a driver's license.

Conditions of employment

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
- Security level will be based on the position to be staffed (Reliability or Secret security clearance).

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

- For this appointment process, our intention is to communicate with candidates by e-mail for screening/assessment purposes (including sending invitations for written tests and interviews). Candidates who apply to this selection process must include, in their application, a valid e-mail address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some e-mail systems block these types of e-mail). If you do not wish to receive your results by e-mail, it is your responsibility to inform us.
- Various assessment tools may be used for this process.
- Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.
- Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.
- Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; only those candidates moving forward to the next stage of the process will be contacted. - The Public Service of Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employees' population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We therefore encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the above mentioned Employment Equity Designated Groups.
- Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.