Senior Policy Analyst

Competition # : 49748

Department: Health and Wellness

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 16-Sep-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Health and Wellness offers opportunities to grow and advance in a dynamic sector that touches the lives of all Nova Scotians. Along with our partners, including the Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre, we’re committed to continually improving our health care system. With a focus on collaborative primary health care, acute care, improved supports for mental health and addictions, digital health, capital infrastructure, and more, the department is thinking differently about how to plan, fund, legislate and monitor to improve access and service delivery. To do this, we’re recruiting leaders at all levels of the organization who embrace a challenge and believe in their ability to make a difference.

About Our Opportunity

Are you passionate about leading complex policy projects to enhance and support the health care system in Nova Scota? Do you thrive at the intersection of people, process, and problem-solving?

As a Senior Policy Analyst with the Policy and Legislation team in the Department of Health and Wellness, you will have the opportunity to provide policy leadership, decision support, and expertise to multiple specialty areas, on major policy, regulatory, and legislative initiatives. This position is consistently called upon to lead, from start to finish, a variety of legislative, regulatory, policy, and process initiatives that that are strategically aligned with government priorities.

This Senior Policy Analyst role offers a unique opportunity to provide mentorship to analysts and leaders within assigned branches on effective policy development and take overall responsibility for policy requirements for a division or branch. You will work closely with subject matter experts and leaders to make effective recommendations with a focus on strategic decision-making and impact of recommendations.

Primary Accountabilities

As a Senior Policy Analyst, you will play a key role in the decision-making process within the Department of Health and Wellness. In this role you will be responsible for:

• Coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to develop and/or review a wide range of deliverables.
• Developing and evaluating policy options and related background material.
• Independently leading aspects of the policy and legislative process, including preparation of submissions to Executive Council.
• Preparing reports and responses relating to health system issues including the impact of interventions in Nova Scotia.
• Leading and/or participating in working groups on specific policy issues and playing a leadership role to ensure project deadlines are met and senior staff are aware of progress.
• Preparing briefing notes, decision requests, and correspondence for senior staff on a wide range of matters related to the Department’s mandate.
• Conducting comprehensive research, analysis, measurement, and evaluation of complex policy issues to provide strategic advice to senior leadership.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

As our next Senior Policy Analyst, you will hold a bachelor's degree in a policy-related field plus five (5) years of progressive experience in policy analysis and research. You will demonstrate experience with the following:

• Progressive position responsibility.
• Superior writing skills with proven experience in report writing and preparation of briefing materials.
• Strong leadership skills with proven ability to build collaborative working relationships.
• Knowledge of and/or experience within the provincial legislative environment.
• Computer skills and proficiency using Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, SharePoint, CoPilot).

In addition to the above, you will have strong leadership skills, independent judgement, and initiative as well as the ability to manage and conduct complex and specialized research and policy analysis. You will be well-organized, capable of managing change and competing priorities. You can undertake a high-level of work under tight deadlines, and exercise sound judgement under pressure. Lastly, you will be able to work cohesively in a team environment and be able to take on complex assignments with minimal supervision.

The following will be considered assets:

• Knowledge of structure, processes, and key players in Government.
• Knowledge/experience in the field of health policy
• Public policy development and analysis.
• Experience with legislative projects.
  
  

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A completed Masters degree and 3 years of related experience
  
  

Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting. Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day.

Additional Information

There are two positions we are recruiting for in this competition. There is one Permanent Opportunity and one TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of September 13, 2027.

What We Offer

• Career development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career
• Engaging workplace: our employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in, we have forward-thinking policies and strategies
• Countless career paths
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.
  
  

Pay Grade: EC 11

Salary Range: $3,571.99 - $4,465.03 Bi-Weekly

Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.

Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at competitions@novascotia.ca.

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.

Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to Competitions@novascotia.ca.