Senior Policy Advisor

Update: 👩‍💻 Please note that due to technical difficulties with the system, this opportunity has been extended until Monday March 13, 2023. 👩‍💻

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

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
Fisheries and Oceans Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employees contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of the Canadian society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

The role of any incoming Senior Policy Advisor is to play a pivotal part in advancing these commitments.

Duties

Strategic Policy is the nucleus for the Department’s key policy and program functions, integrating traditional enabler services, core economic analysis and international affairs groups.

Strategic Policy provides expert policy and communications leadership in support of the mandates of Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Government of Canada, and advances the economic and environmental interests of Canadians, including indigenous peoples, with respect to fisheries, aquaculture, and oceans.

📁 As a Senior Policy Advisor, you should expect to:

➜ Complete complex research and analysis of complex policy issues and strategies related to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada mandate.
➜ Provide recommendations, briefing materials and develop options for senior management on projects, issues, initiatives, policies or parliamentary business.
➜ Conduct research and analysis related to complex socio-economic trends, economic developments and policy issues.
➜ Work on program policy and/or legislative/regulatory initiatives for the consideration of the supervising manager, Directors, Regional Directors, Assistant Deputy Ministers, the Deputy Minister and Minister of DFO and Treasury Board.

Work environment

HYBRID AND FLEXIBLE
Fisheries and Oceans Canada has adopted a hybrid and flexible work model! Note that teleworking remains part of the work model and that the approach will continue to evolve over the coming months to better meet the needs of our hybrid workforce.

For more information, please visit the Privy Council's Office Guidelines on the hybrid work model: https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/staffing/common-hybrid-work-model-federal-public-service.html.

Intent of the process

💡The Intent of this process is to staff more than ten (10) Senior Policy Advisor positions within Fisheries and Oceans Canada. A pool of partially qualified candidates may be established to staff similar positions with various tenures and linguistic requirements within Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Positions to be filled: 10

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 (1*) from a recognized post-secondary institution (2*) with acceptable specialization (3*) in economics, sociology or statistics.

Definitions:
1*: Unless it is otherwise specified (e.g., master’s degree), the term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.

2*: A public or private institution that has been given authority to grant degrees, diplomas, and other credentials by a public or private act of a provincial/territorial legislature or through a government-mandated quality assurance mechanism. For greater certainty, also included are institutions authorized to grant specific academic credentials for specific academic programs.

3*: An acceptable number of courses in a particular field of study as determined by the manager, unless otherwise specified by the employer.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
💧EX1: Significant experience* in conducting research or analysis on complex issues **.
💧EX2: Significant experience* in preparing and presenting strategic advice and recommendations to senior management*** on program or policy issues.
💧 EX3: Experience developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with at least two (2) of the following: other government departments, stakeholders, central agencies, provincial or territorial governments; indigenous partners; international governments etc.
💧EX4: Significant experience* preparing a range of high-quality briefing material for senior management*** such as: briefing notes, scenario notes, presentations, etc.

Definitions:
*Significant means covering a period of approximately 2 years and which has depth and breadth normally associated with full-time performance of related duties.

**Complex issues are defined as those involving at least two (2) of the following: multiple sub-issues or related issues, multiple stakeholders, critical timelines, a high degree of visibility or political sensitivity, and having a major impact on the department, government or the public.

***Senior management means director level and above within the public service and the definition for outside of the public sector, it would include any type of executive-level decision-making person.

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

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
💧 Ability and willingness to work overtime on short notice.
💧 Ability and willingness to travel.

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

Various language requirements
English Essential, English or French Essential, Bilingual imperative - BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC

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

KNOWLEDGE
💧 K1: Knowledge of the policy development process.

COMPETENCIES
💧 C1: Strategic Thinking
💧 C2: Demonstrate initiative and being action-oriented
💧 C3: Teamwork
💧 C3: Planning and organization

ABILITIES
💧A1: Effective written and oral communication.

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE
💧 AEX1 Experience working with Indigenous partners.
💧 AEX2 Experience leading working groups, project groups or supervising employees in the context of initiatives dealing with complex issues**.
💧 AEX3 Experience in representing or liaising with other departments or federal organizations or external partners on common files or issues.
💧 AEX4 Experience in providing advice to senior management*** on international issues.
💧 AEX5 Experience in drafting or preparing Cabinet products, budget processes, mandatory assessments, parliamentary, legislative or regulatory affairs.

**Complex issues are defined as those involving at least [two] of: multiple sub-issues or related issues;, multiple stakeholders;, critical timelines;, a high degree of visibility or political sensitivity; and having a major impact on the department, government or the public

***Senior management means director level and above within the public service and the definition for outside of the public sector, it would include any type of executive-level decision-making person.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities

Information on employment equity

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

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION
Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under “Contact Information”.

Please identify the following on your application: substantive group and level; employment status; Personal Record Identifier (PRI).

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language(s) in their application.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. 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).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

Recent and past performance evaluations may be used as part of the assessment. Accordingly, you may be required to submit a copy of your last two Performance Ratings/Evaluations as part of this selection process. Please be prepared to provide such documentation should it be requested from the selection board.

Depending on the number of applicants, 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. Please note that although you may attain the established pass mark on any of the assessments used in this staffing process, management may decide to use a higher cut off score.

We thank all those who apply.

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.