Director of Policy

Position Title : Director of Policy

Term : Fulltime-Permanent

Reports to : Vice President, Policy & Programming

Effective : ASAP

ABOUT PUBLIC POLICY FORUM

Public Policy Forum PPF works with all levels of government and the public service, the private sector, labour, post-secondary institutions, NGOs and Indigenous groups to improve policy outcomes for Canadians.

As a non-partisan, member-based organization, we work from "inclusion to conclusion," by convening discussions on fundamental policy issues with diverse groups of relevant stakeholders (inclusion) and by identifying new implementable policy options (conclusion).

For more than 35 years, PPF has promoted civil and productive dialogue among stakeholders, contributing to meaningful change that builds a better Canada.

PPF has earned an enviable reputation as a trusted, independent and non-partisan catalyst in the public policy supply chain.

We are dedicated to research and convening around important public policy issues, sharing leadership lessons through our Academy and celebrating Canadians who make major contributions to public service, public leadership and public policy.

Our research programs provide a pragmatic base to inform decisions of broad importance to Canada and Canadians by bringing people together in serious, focused exploration of the best ways forward.

PPF helps ensure public policy in this country is dynamic, coordinated and responsive to future challenges and opportunities.

Thus, our brand promise : Good Policy. Better Canada.

The Public Policy Forum’s approach is called Inclusion to Conclusion. Inclusion involves engaging diverse perspectives around our tables and within our ranks in order to arrive at the best policy conclusions.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

The Public Policy Forum is seeking a broadly inquisitive person with a passion for public policy to oversee PPF’s policy, research and engagement activities in support of the organization’s mission to improve public outcomes through better policy.

The Director of Policy plans, coordinates and undertakes research and engagement activities by building on PPF’s work and seeking out opportunities to review or refresh Canadian public policy thinking at the federal or provincial level.

The Director will manage a team of four policy leads / associates and will work as a member of the management team. The successful candidate will report directly to the Vice President, Policy and Programming and will work closely with the Vice President of Strategic Engagement, as well as the Vice President of PPF Media and Communications, members of PPF’s management team, board members and other staff to deliver PPF’s mandate.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES

Scope and objectives of position

The Public Policy Forum conducts research and engagement activities on a wide variety of public policy issues of relevance to Canadians.

A primary task of the Director is to coordinate the policy and programming activities of PPF staff in order to identify gaps in the current federal or provincial policy environment that lead to opportunities for new projects, and to enable PPF to continue to build areas of depth.

Working closely with the Vice President of Strategic Engagement, the Director of Policy also has a responsibility to integrate policy areas of interest and importance for our roughly 200 members into the work of PPF.

The major activities of the Director are as follows :

Research and Policy Analysis

• In conjunction with the VP of Policy & Programming, as well as the President & CEO, and in consultation with the policy team, plan PPF’s research and engagement activities, ensuring the projects fulfill PPF’s goal to improve policy outcomes for Canadians;
• Provide oversight and guidance on reports, briefs, submissions and letters and ensure they are of consistent high quality;
• Through readings and consultations with colleagues, members and key contacts in government and elsewhere, ensure the ongoing monitoring of trends and issues in the areas of priority concern for the Public Policy Forum;

identify and bring to the attention of the Vice President of Policy & Programming, emerging issues requiring further attention; and

Collaborate with Membership and Communications teams, as required, to ensure the greatest impact for PPF’s research publications.

Outreach and project development

• Collaborate with external partners in order to properly develop PPF’s projects and initiatives;
• Build broad networks reaching into the various communities with a public policy interest;
• Liaise with Foundations, private and public sector organizations and other external partners to attract funding to key PPF initiatives.
• Represent the Public Policy Forum at external events, as appropriate;
• Look for opportunities for PPF to participate in conferences, presentations, and / or briefings on priority and timely issues, both at the national and provincial levels; and,
• Prepare and deliver presentations and briefings to conferences, membership meetings, and external parties as requested.

Management and Supervisory

• Assign project work to project leads / associates, ensuring that staff capabilities and expertise are effectively used, work plans carried out and the results of the work are of consistent high quality;
• Mentor the research team and ensure its work is of high quality;
• Identify new approaches and resources for fulfilling our mission and share them with the team, as appropriate;
• Administer the performance appraisal process of project managers;
• Ensure professional development of the staff, as appropriate;
• Achieve budget targets; and
• Participate as an active member of the PPF team.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Policy experience on issues related to productivity, technology and / or democracy would be an asset;
• A graduate degree and a minimum of 6-10 years of relevant experience in a research or policy environment;
• Exceptional interpersonal and inclusive skills and ability to work in a dynamic team environment;
• High degree of initiative, discretion and insight;
• Ability to help support the conception, development and implementation of multi-stakeholder, non-partisan dialogue projects;
• Proven experience in delivering complex projects and overcoming obstacles;
• Ability to communicate with people at various levels on complex matters and to bring conflicting points of view to consensus;
• Ability to quickly develop a working knowledge of new subject matter;
• Strong knowledge of topical public policy issues and the public policy process in Canada;
• Strong research and analytical skills;
• Excellent writing and oral communication skills;
• Demonstrated experience in project development and management;
• Ability to speak and write fluently in both English and French is preferred; and
• Comfort with the MS Office suite, including Excel, Word and Outlook, as well as collaborative software.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

In our early years, inclusion entailed gathering government, business, labour and civil society in the same room. Today, the proposition is far more ambitious.

As much as possible, we aim to incorporate a broader cross-section of participants and contributors reflecting factors such as identity and geography in our research, convening and learning processes.

PPF recognizes the existence of systemic racism in Canada. We are firmly committed to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and social justice for all communities.

We subscribe to the 50-30 Challenge and seek to live our core belief that good policy makes for a better Canada.

We recognize there is more progress to be made and that good policy outcomes for everyone mark the ultimate measure of a successful society.

As Canada’s think tank about tomorrow, we take our responsibility seriously to use our work to illuminate inclusive and diverse policy pathways.

Please send your CV and cover letter to : [email protected]

We thank all applicants for their interest in this opportunity. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Accommodations will be provided at all stages of the hiring process. We ask applicants to make their needs known in advance.