Senior Policy Advisor

Environment, Conservation and Parks | Environnement, Protection de la nature et Parcs; Toronto; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Environment, Conservation and Parks in Ontario is seeking a policy-focused professional to lead public drug program policy development and cabinet submissions. The role emphasizes building cross‑government partnerships, evidence-based decision making, and strategic planning to improve access, quality and sustainability of drug programs.

You will manage multiple transformation initiatives, perform environmental scans, and align actions with long‑term priorities while communicating complex issues

Qualifications

• knowledge of policy and program development related to public drug programs.
• ability to interpret legislation, regulations, and policy direction.
• knowledge of performance measurement, monitoring, and evaluation.
• strong analytical skills to develop solutions and assess strategic impacts.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of public drug program policies, standards, and cabinet submissions.
• Build and maintain relationships across government and with external partners.
• Identify policy challenges and opportunities, and recommend evidence-based solutions.
• Present complex issues clearly to support senior leadership decision-making.
• Develop results-focused implementation plans that improve access, quality, value, and sustainability.
• Design and manage risk mitigation strategies.

Skills

Policy analysis

Project management

Relationship management

Communication

Analytical skills

Research and analysis

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Apply By: Friday, October 16, 2026 11:59 pm EDT

Health Programs and Delivery Division / Drug Programs Policy and Strategy Branch

Shape policy. Make a meaningful impact on the health of Ontarians.

Join a dynamic team of professionals in the Drug Programs Policy and Strategy Branch, where you'll help shape policies that improve access to medications and support the sustainability of Ontario's public drug programs.

We're seeking a self-starting, collaborative, results-oriented professional to provide expert policy analysis and project management expertise in support of key strategic initiatives. The Branch tackles many complex issues and requires individuals who are able to adapt, learn quickly and take charge in a dynamic space.

About the job

• Lead the development and implementation of public drug program policies, standards, and cabinet submissions.
• Build and maintain strong relationships across government and with external partners.
• Identify policy challenges and opportunities, and recommend evidence-based solutions.
• Present complex issues clearly to support senior leadership decision-making.
• Develop results-focused implementation plans that improve access, quality, value, and sustainability.
• Design and manage risk mitigation strategies.

Policy Analysis and Development Skills

You have:

• knowledge of policy and program development related to public drug programs.
• the ability to interpret legislation, regulations, and policy direction.
• knowledge of performance measurement, monitoring, and evaluation.
• strong analytical skills to develop solutions and assess strategic impacts.

Project Management, Research and Analytical Skills

You have:

• knowledge of project management principles and practices.
• experience providing project management expertise and supporting multiple transformation initiatives.
• research and analytical skills to conduct environmental scans, assess trends, and inform strategic decision-making.
• the ability to align current actions with long-term strategic priorities.

Relationship Management, Negotiation and Facilitation Skills

You have:

• the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with a diverse range of partners and stakeholders.
• strong facilitation and communication skills to address complex, sensitive, and high-profile issues.
• consensus-building and mediation skills to foster collaboration and achieve coordinated outcomes across partners and stakeholders.

Communication and Computer Skills

You can:

• prepare and present reports, analyses, policies, and briefing materials for senior leaders.
• clearly communicate complex issues, risks, and recommendations to a variety of audiences.
• use standard software and research tools to prepare briefings, issue notes, and other supporting documents.

Don't meet every qualification?

If you are excited about this position and meet most, but not all, of the listed qualifications, please still consider applying. We recognize that no one person might have every qualification in this job ad, and you just might be the right candidate!

How we support diversity, inclusion and accessibility

We are building an inclusive workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We encourage everyone interested in working with us to apply, including people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black and racialized individuals, as well as people from all ethnicities, cultures, sexual orientations, gender identities and gender expressions.

Our hiring process is accessible, consistent with Ontario's Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. We are working to prevent and remove barriers in our hiring processes and can offer accommodation to address specific needs related to Code-protected grounds such as disability, family status and religion. For more information about accommodation during the hiring process please contact us.

Learn more about the work the OPS is doing to create an inclusive, anti-racist, accessible and diverse workplace:

• diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
• accessibility
• Anti-Racism Policy

• 1 English Temporary, duration up to 12 months, 5700 Yonge St, Toronto, Toronto Region

Association of Management, Administrative and Professional Crown Employees of Ontario

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• If you require a disability related accommodation in order to participate in therecruitment process, please ContactUs to provide your contact information. Recruitment services team willcontact you within 48 hours.

Language requirements and assessment: All external Ontario Public Service (OPS) job ads are posted in English and French. Check the "position(s) language" section at the top of each job ad for the language requirements. For all roles, candidates are assessed in English, the business language of the OPS. If the position is bilingual (English/French), you'll also need to pass a French-language proficiency test.