Senior Policy and Program Analyst

BACKGROUND:

SCO is a growing and dynamic regional First Nation organization that represents 34 Anishinaabe and Dakota Nations and more than 81,000 citizens in southern Manitoba. SCO was established 23 years ago by the Chiefs as an independent organization to protect, preserve, promote, and enhance First Nation peoples’ inherent rights, languages, customs, and traditions through the application and implementation of the spirit and intent of the Treaty-making process. SCO provides competitive compensation and an excellent pension and benefits, as well as a positive work environment.

Reporting to the Senior Project Manager of the Child and Family Services Program, the Senior Policy and Program Analyst is accountable as a lead on complex program, policy and planning development, research and evaluation assignments and projects aimed at advancing the transformation of the Southern First Nations Child and Family Service (CFS) system. Working with leaders and representatives from SCO communities, along with other SCO departments and levels of government, the incumbent will be primarily responsible for the development and administration of evaluation criteria, methodology and analysis of proposed or existing projects or programs, along with the design and implementation of the projects and initiatives. The Senior Analyst will also be required to develop CFS program policy and participate in project and strategic planning at both program and organizational levels.  In completing these duties, the Senior Analyst will be required to prepare authority seeking documents, such as funding and project proposals, position and issues papers, briefing notes, and informational material for senior CFS managers, and SCO leadership. The incumbent may also undertake research projects, conduct inter-jurisdictional program, and issue reviews, manage consultations with advocacy groups and CFS stakeholders, service providers and individuals who have special interests in social policy issues.

In carrying out these responsibilities, the incumbent is accountable for ensuring program and operational policies adequately reflect and meet legislative and regulatory requirements established in the federal legislation – An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, CFS Program and SCO objectives, goals and priorities, new First Nation community-based family laws, while keeping pace with changing needs of SCO communities, and families.

The Senior Policy and Program Analyst is proficient with using project management skills in order to formulate creative, comprehensive recommendations in support of continual transformation of CFS community-based approach to service delivery and programming. The incumbent will be responsible to supervise the work of junior analysts, a team or work group of analysts, lead projects to undertake specific tasks required to meet identified key priorities of the Southern Chiefs’ Organization.

KEY RESPONSIBLITIES:

• Project leadership and expertise in the planning, development, implementation of CFS Program and SCO key priorities through demonstrating strong independent initiative and appropriate risk taking.  The incumbent collaborates and works effectively with senior CFS and SCO management, stakeholders, and staff positions.
• Undertakes special studies and prepares position papers, reports, and other original finished material with recommendations for consideration by senior management and SCO leadership.
• Project leadership managing and establishing a clear course of action and identification of key resource requirements to carry out complex assignments outlined in a workplan developed using project management skills and principles.
• Leads projects involving with cross SCO program engagement and objectives to ensure consistent compliance with related policies and legislation.
• Leads assignments with political acumen to effectively identify and manage risk, and proactively works to build strategic relationships to enhance collaborative partnerships in support of achieving goals and objectives.
• Leads consultations with CFS and social service organizations, First Nation communities, other SCO programs, and levels of government, in order to gather information to advance CFS policy supporting new community-based family laws development and implementation, and synthesizes data to inform comprehensive, creative, responsive recommendations to CFS Program and SCO leadership.
• Distinguishes between important, critical, and urgent assignments; monitors progress and reprioritizes work or modifies plans in response to changing demands or circumstances for self and junior analysts.
• Through research collects, records, and assembles data, to conduct analysis on existing provincial and inter-jurisdictional First Nation CFS strategies, policies, and newly identified priorities to support ongoing program development and accountability through formal evaluation.
• Identifies emerging trends and evaluates complex issues, such as equity in accessing CFS services, inclusion policies, and develops and communicates policy options, strategies and possible solutions including potential new initiatives.
• Uses a range of approaches to research and evaluate social policy/programs and respond to requests for information, including internet searches, jurisdictional scans, literature reviews, statistical analysis, focus groups, surveys, interviews, stakeholder consultations, etc.
• Expresses ideas in writing in a clear, accurate, concise, and organized manner for a variety of audiences.
• Highly developed understanding of quality standards with respect to preparing, proofreading/editing, formatting, and packaging a variety of documents, including Briefing Notes, Advisory Notes, presentations, spreadsheets, formal proposals, required reports, correspondence and other materials as required.

EDUCATION & QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education in the social sciences, public administration, public health, or other relevant discipline, and several years of related work experience.  Other equivalent combinations of education and related experience may be considered.
• Extensive experience writing a variety of clear, concise documents and detailed analytical reports, for a variety of audiences.
• Proficient at interpreting legislation and regulations and determining statutory responsibilities that should be supported in policy.
• Exceptional interpersonal skills, including a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy and political acumen.
• Superior oral and written communication skills – ability to write clearly and persuasively, to listen with understanding and sensitivity, to articulate messages in a clear and concise manner and to resolve conflict constructively.
• Must be flexible and adaptable to meet sudden changes in schedules, priorities, locations or other logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with staff at various levels of the organization, including working effectively to lead teams and/or working groups towards an identified goal.
• Exceptional ability managing multiple priorities in tight timeframes and working with highly sensitive and confidential information.
• Exceptional research and critical thinking skills and good working knowledge of research principles, techniques and analysis and demonstrated ability to apply this knowledge to program and policy evaluation.
• Demonstrated proficiency in developing options/alternatives to address issues and recommend a method to achieve goals and objectives.
• Strong leadership skills including the ability to influence and guide the work of both internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong presentation and/or facilitation skills.
• Committed to the aspirations of First Nations to restore jurisdiction for caring for their children and families in their own communities.
• Demonstrated understanding of the importance of First Nation culture and traditions.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check and clear Children and Adult Abuse Registry Check.
• Must have a valid Manitoba Driver’s License and reliable vehicle as travel will be required.
• Must be willing to accommodate occasional overnight stays to attend conferences, co-planning activities, and visits to First Nations Communities.
• All successful candidates must provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination.

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION IS: Thursday, March 16, 2023, at 4:30 PM CST

Please submit cover letter, resume, and three work related references to:

Human Resources
Southern Chiefs’ Organization
1572 Dublin Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3E 0L4
Fax: (204) 946-1869 | [email protected]

*Please note resumes without a cover letter will not be considered complete*

Preference will be given to qualified First Nation candidates

Please self-identify as First Nations in your cover letter

We thank all who apply and advise that only those selected will be contacted for further consideration.