Manager, Policy and Intergovernmental and External Relations

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

The BEST federal department headquartered in Edmonton, not to mention the only federal department headquartered in Edmonton, is looking for more talent!

If you are a highly motivated individual with excellent communication and analytical skills, and are interested in building meaningful relationships with interdepartmental teams, government stakeholders, and external to government clients facing economic challenges, we encourage you to apply.

We are responsible for helping to grow, develop, and diversify the economy in Alberta and the west. This position will play an imperative role in helping to bolster our ability to serve as an advisor, convenor, pathfinder, and advocate for Alberta businesses and communities.

Please note: as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are primarily working remotely for the time being. Interviews and related assessments will be conducted virtually throughout this staffing process. Applicants are responsible to ensure they have a reliable internet connection and access. If you are appointed to a position, WD will provide tools and/or equipment to support remote work.

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 process, please contact Nathaniel Harrigan by email at . All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Duties

As manager you will oversee a unit of policy analysts/economists for the Alberta Region of Western Economic Diversification Canada. Specifically, you will lead a well-established team that monitors, researches and analyzes the economic environment in Alberta in order to identify economic issues, gaps, and emerging developments.

Your team provides briefings and analysis for senior management participation in internal, intergovernmental and external meetings and events. Your team also provides policy options, advice, strategy development, and recommendations regarding the departmental response to economic development issues, challenges and opportunities. As manager, you will lead or participate in internal and/or intergovernmental teams and working groups, as well as manage, mentor and develop your talented team. You will be called upon to build solid partnerships with external clients including industry, communities, civil society, academia, and provincial and municipal levels of government.

You will excel in this role if you have an in-depth understanding of the Alberta economy, the roles of federal and provincial governments in economic development and diversification, economic data and information sources, and a network of economic development contacts in Alberta. This role will appeal to someone who has high standards, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and demonstrates a commitment to teamwork and staff development.

Work environment

WD is one of Western Canada’s best employers because of its support for employees, innovative workplace and ability to make a difference in the lives of Western Canadians. We are driven to be the best at what we do. We hire top talent and provide an employment experience that brings out the best in people. We are motivated by achieving great results for Canadians.

Why Choose WD:
• Work with amazing people who support each other
• Meaningful work that makes a difference to the country
• Excellent compensation package
• Flexible work arrangements
• Modern work tools and technology

WD offices are open environments with well-regulated air quality, ergonomic sit- stand workstations, and a combination of natural and fluorescent lighting. The physical demands of this position include spending a significant amount of screen time on a computer or equivalent, as well as reading documents in digital and/or print media. This role will also involve meeting with stakeholders virtually by video or telephone, and in-person as COVID-19 public health measures allow.

Intent of the process

The intent of the process is to establish a pool of qualified candidates to staff current and future positions.

A pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) will be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level. This process may be used for various positions and tenures (including but not limited to term and indeterminate appointments, internal assignments, secondments, deployments, acting appointments, casual) as well as various locations, security requirements, language requirements and conditions of employment. The pool of qualified candidates may also be shared and accessed with other federal government departments.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter

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, statistics, public administration, political science, business administration, or a related specialization for the position.
Notes:
• 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

Experience:
Significant* experience in issues management including providing support, briefings, and expert advice to senior management on strategic directions, sensitive external relations issues, priorities, and **complex policy issues.

Significant* experience in research and analysis to address a broad range of policy-related or economic development issues and opportunities in Alberta and/or Canada.

Experience collaborating, consulting and/or negotiating policy-related or economic-related initiatives with a wide range of partners or stakeholders.

Experience leading teams.

Experience building solid partnerships that help to advance mandate commitments.

*Significant experience is defined as having the depth and breadth of experience that would normally be acquired with the performance of full time duties for a period of three years or more.

**Complex policy issues are defined as policy issues that are ambiguous, poorly defined and require input, expertise and analysis from across multiple sectors, organizations or disciplines.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of federal and provincial roles and activities related to economic development in Alberta and their relationship to the mandate and priorities of Western Economic Diversification Canada.
- Knowledge of intergovernmental trends and issues
- Knowledge of socio-economic issues in Alberta.

Key Leadership Competencies
- Create Vision and Strategy
- Mobilize People
- Uphold Integrity and Respect
- Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
- Achieve Results
- Excellent oral and written communication

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:
• Depth, breadth and scope in any one or combination of the experience factors.

• Experience in the management of human and/or financial resources

• Experience working in Community Economic Development

• Experience working in Indigenous Economic Development.

Experience working in private industry.

Organizational Needs:
In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with a disability, visible minorities and women.

• Willingness and ability to work overtime when required.
• Willingness and ability to travel occasionally

Conditions of employment

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 designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

TIPS FOR APPLICANTS: When answering the screening questions ensure that you provide complete and thorough details of your experience. Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the competition.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. Applicants MUST check their email accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Depending on the number of applicants, the needs and/or Human Resources plans, volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach and/or establishing cut-off scores to determine who will continue in the staffing process, MAY BE USED for the purpose of managing applications.

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

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

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