Integrated Planning & Policy Advisor Manager (Niagara Region)

Integrated Planning & Policy Advisor
Job ID: 32982
Business Unit: Community Services
Division: Homelessness Services & Community Engagement
Location: Headquarters Campbell East
Full-Time Regular/Temporary Approximate Duration: 12-15 months
Salary Range: $63,910.00 - $75,190.00 (35 Hours a week)
Close Date: 2022-07-14

Job Summary
Reporting to the Manager of Compliance and Community Engagement, the Integrated Planning and Policy Representative is responsible for providing strategic advice and delivering on strategic initiatives and projects across the Community Services Department. This includes researching, developing, analyzing plans and programs to respond to community needs; leading initiatives for human service integration and other related program planning and delivery; developing cross functional and community linkages to ensure that approaches and programs align with Regional goals and Provincial/ Federal objectives.

Education
  • Requires a Post-Secondary Degree in a Public/Business Administration, Social Sciences, Human Services or related degree
Knowledge
  • At least 5 years of experience within a Human/Social Services environment, preferable in government environment.
  • At least 3 years’ experience in conducting primary and secondary research including evaluation.
  • Experience with policy or program based initiatives that involve diverse internal and external stakeholders.
  • Project management experience an asset.
  • Strong knowledge of change management and engagement approaches and processes.
  • Superior analytical, evaluation and planning skills to conduct program and policy analysis to address complex business issues.
  • Project Management Certification and/or Public Engagement Certification is preferred.
Responsibilities
Consults on and implements key strategic departmental initiatives aligned with Community Services’ strategic plan, provincial Ministry priorities, and the delivery of provincially-mandated service integration projects. (40% of time).
  • Investigates best practices and research to inform planning, conceptualization, scope of work to achieve project goals;
  • Uses project management practices to implement strategic initiatives; prepares project products, tools, templates;
  • Coordinates resources and supports to achieve project deliverables.
  • Monitors activities of multiple projects to ensure alignment and coordination;
  • Reviews project data and reports to management on plans and progress, as well as providing analyses and recommendations in order to manage risks and resolve issues;
  • Acts as a staff resource/lead for cross divisional/ sectoral committees to support integrated approaches;
  • Facilitates linkages between Departmental and Corporate business units; identification of opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration.
Designs and conducts research and evaluation activities resulting in the development of a wide range of knowledge products to support service system planning and decision making. (30% of time).
  • Develops research objectives, identifies appropriate methods/techniques to ensure sound methodology, data integrity and voice of resident e.g. information-sharing and consent processes;
  • Conducts primary research activities including: surveys, interviews, questionnaires etc.;
  • Conducts secondary research activities including: environmental scans, literature reviews, inventory of best practices to understand and apply leading practices and industry trends to inform service system planning and service integration design options;
  • Supports innovations/pilots.
  • Manages information/data collection and analyzes data and synthesizing findings for dissemination e.g. data reports, presentations, charts etc.
  • Develop the necessary mechanisms to monitor and report on progress of initiatives/ projects including measurable outcomes and indicators.
Designs and implements formal community/public engagement activities using an understanding of public participation principles (e.g. facilitation methods), stakeholder and risk management principles and mitigation techniques. (15% of time)
  • Develops strategies to maximize stakeholder involvement/participation;
  • Identifies effective facilitation and engagement techniques based on the objectives and stakeholders to be engaged;
  • Facilitates sessions and acts as a staff resource for advisory committees related to engagement;
  • Synthesizes and analyzes information from engagement activities to ensure findings are disseminated to key stakeholders;
  • Supports partnerships with various community partners, Regional Departments to ensure linkages support an integrated approach.
Provides strategic advice and analysis on related program planning and delivery of Provincially-mandated service integration and modernization projects. (10% of time).
  • Keeps up to date on social political, economic trends, legislative changes, public policy documents, etc. to support evidenceinformed decisions related to program and integrated service delivery;
  • Using business and management principles involved in organizational change initiatives, strategic planning and policy development;
  • Authors a knowledge products to support planning and decision making for management and divisional staff e.g. position papers, briefing notes, presentations on policy issues;
  • Liaises with staff from other levels of government and other jurisdiction to facilitate inter-sectoral cooperation, information sharing and best practices, understanding of policy direction, and cooperation on areas of mutual interest across jurisdictions;
  • Working with the Manager, responds to time sensitive internal and external requests for information from members of the senior leadership team;
  • Represents the Division, attends conferences and policy forums, and participates in community tables/committees, as requested by Manager of Compliance and Community Engagement.
Special Requirements 
  • Incumbents must maintain the ability to travel to various locations in the Region for meetings and other business reasons.
  • At times, working outside of normal business hours to accommodate the diverse needs of public/community engagement audiences.
  • Regional staff strive to enable the strategic priorities of council and the organization through the completion of their work. Staff carry out their work by demonstrating the corporate values of service, honesty, choice, partnership and respect.

To view the full job description and requirements, visit our Careers page - Job Opening # 32982

Uncover the wonder of the Niagara Region and join a team dedicated to meeting tomorrow’s challenges…..today!

Let us know why you would be an excellent team member by submitting your online application no later than July 7, 2022 before midnight by visiting Careers in Niagara Region - Niagara Region, Ontario. We thank all candidates for their interest however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

If you require an accommodation for the application process in accordance with the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, the alternate formats for contacting us are as follows:
  • Email: myhr@niagararegion.ca
  • Phone: 905-980-6000 ext. 3252 or 1-800-263-7215
  • Bell Relay: 1-800-855-0511
  • In-person: Sir Isaac Brock Way, Thorold, ON L2V 4T7 – Human Resources Department