Senior Policy Analyst (Term)

Competition # : 49321

Department: Advanced Education

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Term

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 21-Jul-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

The Department of Advanced Education (AE) has responsibility for universities, private career colleges and language schools, student assistance program, post-secondary accessibility services, as well as Research Nova Scotia and innovation sandboxes throughout the province.

About Our Opportunity

Are you interested in working in an environment where you can learn, grow and lead? Do you enjoy making a difference and working with great people? We are looking for a critical thinker with the ability to synthesize complex and disparate issues into viable options for senior leadership for the short and long term.

Reporting to the Manager of Policy, the Senior Policy Analyst will support Departmental policy and planning, through conducting research and analysis and developing robust policy options to address complex, challenging and dynamic policy implications with respect to the post-secondary sector.

You will supporting departmental operational planning and accountability reporting, measurement and tracking of department outcomes, coordinating briefings and preparation of briefing material for senior management, including the Deputy Minister and Minister, as well as monitoring of Hansard, private members bills and AE legislation when the legislature is sitting. You support a wide range of department projects including policy development and modernization activities, corporate reporting, research, strategic planning, and other initiatives, as well as collaboration with stakeholders. You support the integration of department programs and services, their alignment with legislation and corporate policies, as well as the strategic goals and priorities of the Department.

Primary Accountabilities

• Policy research and analysis, identification of policy options to inform decision making and to support the strategic direction of the Department.
• Preparation and coordination of submissions to Executive Council and well as Requests for Legislation and regulatory amendments for the Department.
• For legislative sittings prepare briefing material for the Minister, monitor question period and private members bills, identify emerging issues to support the Minister.
• Development and coordination of briefing material to support Department initiatives and corporate reporting.
  
  

Qualifications and Experience

This may be the right opportunity for you if you have a bachelor’s degree with several years of related experience, an equivalent combination of training and experience may be considered.
As the successful candidate you have demonstrated experience and thorough knowledge of the public policy development process and significant experience in policy analysis, research, planning and project tracking and coordination.

You possess strong organizational planning capability. You are a strong communicator both written and verbal and have strong analytical and research skills. You have a proven ability to collaborate. You have excellent relationship building skills, with experience building and maintaining relationships with both internal and external stakeholders and you value a diverse and inclusive workforce. You enjoy working in a fast-paced environment.

You are proficient using Microsoft Office programs, specifically with Power-Point and Excel.

Assets for this position:

• Experience working with Agencies, Boards and Commissions.
• Experience in project management and/or agenda management

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: writing assessment, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

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

Benefits

Based on the employment status and union agreement, 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.

Additional Information

This is a TERM employment opportunity with an anticipated end date of May 1st, 2028.

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 and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities 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.