Senior Policy Advisor

Date Posted: 06/19/2024

Req ID: 38069

Faculty/Division: Office of the President

Department: Government Relations Office

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Position Number: 00056484

Description:

About us:

The Government Relations Office (GRO) advances the University’s public policy interests across the three levels of government and manages relationships with other post-secondary institutions, industry associations, and the community-at-large. We support the efforts of government to develop solutions to public policy challenges by providing valuable advice and expertise. Our office is also a resource for the University community, providing advice on how to engage with all levels of government. Our goal is to ensure that governments recognise and support the unique role played by the University of Toronto in civic, provincial, and national capacity building.

Your opportunity:

In this role, you will have an opportunity to help shape the narrative, advance policies, and develop proposals that bring world-class research and talent development to the attention of senior government officials. The University of Toronto is one of the top ranked universities in the world for its work in research and innovation.

You will play a lead role in supporting UofT’s mission, including deepening our local and national impact across a range of public policy issues. You will also play an important part in translating the opportunities and impacts of university research, innovation, and talent development to government in support of UofT’s advocacy objectives. 

Your responsibilities will include:

• Conducting detailed analysis and evaluation to determine trends/patterns and make recommendations to senior university officials.
• Interpreting policies in decision-making and providing significant input into local policies, procedures and practices that are referred to in future interpretation questions.
• Preparing projects or policies of importance that require a rigorous approach and attention to very fine detail.
• Writing project-specific proposals and briefings.
• Promoting and advancing institutional interests to industry representatives and government officials.
• Building and strengthening relationships with stakeholders and partners of strategic importance.
• Serving as a resource on specific issues to a group of specialists.

Qualifications:

Essential Qualifications: 

• A Master’s degree in political science, public policy, communications, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Five (5) or more years of relevant policy development experience in government, including research, writing, analysis, and project management within a public policy or policy-making environment with multiple stakeholders, (e.g. the University, federal, provincial and municipal governments)
• Experience interacting with government and public sector bodies
• Ability to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the University’s public policy interests and the ability to provide related strategic advice
• Ability to provide research, analysis, and policy advice on priority issues stemming from the University of Toronto’s interactions with government, institutional partners, and other external stakeholders
• Ability to conduct and manage funding submissions and other projects, coordinating with faculty and staff from across the University to help focus the interactions with the various government ministries and agencies
• Ability to monitor, identify, and analyse various policy directions and prepare briefing materials for senior University officials
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, with strong quantitative skills and knowledge as demonstrated by the ability to use a wide range of computer applications including working with large data sets
• Demonstrated ability to bring a wide range of considerations and perspectives to issues
• Demonstrated ability to analyse and research issues, diagnose multi-dimensional problems, and devise appropriate responses or strategies
• Possess problem-solving, research, and analytical skills
• Demonstrate excellent project management and interpersonal skills
• Possess a deep understanding of public policy with a demonstrated understanding of Canadian government structures and policy making processes, particularly those affecting Universities

Assets (Nonessential):

• Experience in conducting research and analysis into public policy to respond to external risk and opportunities through advocacy
• Experience supporting the development of organizational strategies
• Experience providing advice to senior executives
• Experience working with highly confidential information
• Eligibility to be registered under the federal lobbyist registry

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Accountable
• Achievement oriented
• Adaptable
• Tactful

Closing Date: 07/03/2024, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: USW 

Appointment Type: Budget – Continuing 

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:

USW Pay Band 16 — $99,548 with an annual step progression to a maximum of $127,305. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 

Job Category: Administrative / Managerial

Recruiter: Blythe Campbell

Lived Experience Statement

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

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