Policy Analyst

Important messages

Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) is the federal government’s regional development agency for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. PrairiesCan is mandated to promote the development and diversification of the economy of the Prairies and advance the interests of the Prairies in national economic policy.

Are you a person who loves analyzing issues and solving complex problems? We are looking for someone like you to join our policy team and apply your creativity and know-how to support work on a variety of policy issues and emerging trends that shape economic diversification and development in the Prairies. In this role, you will use your skills to support work in areas such as inclusive growth, innovation, and regional economic development. Your work will drive thought leadership on the trends shaping the future of inclusive economic development in the Prairies and help advance the interests of the Prairies in national economic policy.

A range of educational backgrounds and work experiences interest us. If you have an open and creative mind, an ability to communicate, and a multi-disciplinary approach to policy development and implementation, then you are the kind of person we want to learn more about.

This position will:
• Contribute to, or lead, development of strategic advice and recommendations to senior management on economic policy issues, priorities, and strategies;
• Conduct research to identify economic factors and trends impacting economy; and
• Build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships to facilitate engagement and information sharing.

Work environment

The Policy, Planning, and Analytics directorate is responsible for providing federal leadership, management, and guidance on economic issues facing the Prairies. We drive, build, and enhance strategic partnerships with regional stakeholders and other federal government departments in order to advocate for policies and programs that support the region’s strategic initiatives. Our partners view PrairiesCan as the catalyst for helping to solve economic challenges. Our work often involves coordinating and collaborating with different teams and other government departments and organizations in order to advance regional economic development strategies.

Our Purpose (why we exist): To develop and support a strong economy in the prairies that is sustainable, and inclusive. We achieve this by collaborating with stakeholders and acting as a catalyst, providing leadership and advice in the advancement, coordination and implementation of strategic priorities, policies, and initiatives.

Our Team Values (how we work – our core principles and commitments):
We are mission-driven, collegial & collaborative, diverse & inclusive, and accountable & transparent.

Intent of the process

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 candidate 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 in business administration, commerce, public administration, economics, sociology or statistics or a related discipline – with an acceptable specialization in economics, political science, public policy, sociology and/or statistics.

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* providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior management on complex** economic development issues, priorities, policies or strategies.
• Experience developing and coordinating briefing materials.
• Experience collaborating with partners or stakeholders on public policy or economic-development initiatives.
• Experience in research and analysis activities on economic or business development issues.
*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 2 years or more.
**Complex policy issues are defined as policy issues that are ambiguous, poorly defined, and require input, expertise, and analysis from multiple sectors, organizations, or disciplines.

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of federal and provincial roles and activities related to economic development in the Prairies

Competencies:
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented
• Working effectively with others
• Thinking things through
• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Excellent oral communication
• Excellent written communication

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS
Education:
• Master's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience establishing and maintaining relationships with internal or external stakeholders.
• Experience working in a policy role.
• Experience with economic development or diversification.
• Experience in project management.
• Depth, breadth and scope of experience in any one or combination of the experience requirements.

Operational Requirements:
• All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.
• Willingness to work overtime when required.
• Willingness to travel occasionally

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

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

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.

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

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, PrairiesCan 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.

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

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

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.