Policy Advisor

JOB SUMMARY

The Policy and Business Operations Branch is responsible for: developing, adapting and implementing legislative policy and projects relating to all areas of governance; administration of the City’s Commemorative Naming program, the Accountability Framework and Transparency programs, including support for the Integrity Commissioner, the Lobbyist Registry, Closed Meetings Investigations and Public Disclosure of Elected Officials’ Office Expenses; designing, customization and/or integration of e-business and other applications/solutions or special technical projects in response to business requirements or legislative changes; processing print requests, mail and coordinating courier services for all City of Ottawa departments; responding to formal access to information requests submitted under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) and the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA); and providing business support services to the department.

You provide strategic policy and governance support to the Manager, the City Clerk, Integrity Commissioner, Lobbyist Registrar and the Meetings Investigator. You adapt, recommend and implement policies and procedures in accordance with the Statutes of Ontario and its regulations, governing By-law(s) or pursuant to Council directives. You conduct research and analyze, develop and evaluate reports, policies, projects and programs of a complex, confidential and sensitive nature requiring collaboration within the branch, department, corporation and among other jurisdictions that may have an immediate and direct impact on City Council and its governance structure.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Completion of 4 year university degree in Journalism, Public Administration, Law, Information Management, Political Science or related field

Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible experience in policy analysis and development, legislative review and interpretation, and leading project teams/managing projects of significant complexity

CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENCES

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the Municipal Act, 2001, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Municipal Act, 2001, the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, 1990 and the Personal Health Information Protection Act, 2004 (PHIPA) or comparable legislation from other Canadian jurisdictions
• Knowledge of rulings and decisions from Integrity Commissioners, Lobbyist Registrars and other Accountability Officers from Ontario municipalities and other Canadian jurisdictions
• Knowledge of rulings and decisions from the Ontario Ombudsman
• Knowledge of provincial legislation and the orders of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario
• Knowledge of the corporation, its political and administrative structure, and decision making procedures
• Strategic planning, communications planning, project management, program evaluation, performance measurement, and policy development concepts, theories, principles and methodologies
• Investigative and audit protocols and procedures
• Departmental business requirements as well as understanding of the programs/services and operations of other departments, and the inter-relationships between them and own work area
• Knowledge of applicable health and safety legislation, including the rights and duties of workers

COMPETENCIES, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• High level of competency in dealing with politically sensitive issues
• Understands and is aware of the political environment and the accountability principles related to it
• Interpret government ordinances, rules and regulations
• Analyze, interpret and report research findings and recommendations in understandable terms
• Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Understand how broad view issues relate to City operations
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with political officials, city officials, coworkers, other professionals, citizen's groups and the general public
• Exercise considerable independent judgement
• Demonstrates the City's core values of integrity, transparency, impartiality, respect and accountability at work
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to interact cooperatively, effectively and efficiently with staff and the public as required
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment to achieve corporate, departmental and branch goals
• Demonstrates tact, diplomacy and discretion, and maintains strict confidentiality
• Highly organized with the ability to prioritize, set schedules, meet deadlines, handle multiple projects/activities and competing demands, and deliver results in a political and confidential work environment