Senior Policy Analyst (Program Admin Officer 4)

Nova Scotia; Bible Hill; On-site; CAD 3,000 - 4,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Agriculture in Nova Scotia is seeking a Senior Policy Analyst to lead policy research and develop recommendations on agriculture topics. Candidates should possess a Bachelor's Degree and six years of relevant experience, with strong analytical and communication skills vital for this role.

Benefits

Defined Benefit Pension Plan

Health and Dental Insurance

Career Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Minimum 6 years’ relevant experience or equivalent combination.
• Strong client service orientation.
• Experience in policy and legislative development.

Responsibilities

• Lead policy research and statistical analyses.
• Prepare submissions and reports to Executive Council.
• Engage with stakeholders and develop consultation plans.

Skills

Analytical Thinking

Client Focus

Interpersonal Skills

Collaboration

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration or related field

Master's Degree (related equivalent may apply)

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

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Senior Policy Analyst (Program Admin Officer 4)

Competition # : 46554

Department:Agriculture

Location:BIBLE HILL

Type of Employment:Permanent

Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG

Closing Date:30-Jul-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

At the Department of Agriculture, our vision is to create a Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food industry that is diversified, market-focused and profitable. We work to support the development of competitive, sustainable, and profitable agriculture and agri-business industries that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social prosperity of Nova Scotia.

The Policy section supports the entire Department of Agriculture with planning, policy and legislation development, monitoring, and reporting to ensure alignment with Departmental priorities and Government objectives.

About Our Opportunity

Reporting to the Manager of Policy, the Senior Policy Analyst plays a lead role in Departmental planning, policy research, analysis, and evaluation. You will use formal tools and processes to develop and analyze policy options and make recommendations on a broad range of agriculture and agri-food topics to inform Department decision making. You will also lead development of legislative changes and other submissions to Executive Council.

Primary Accountabilities

Main roles for this position will include:

• Leading policy research and statistical analyses
• Leading the preparation of submissions to Executive Council and Finance and Treasury Board
• Preparing reports, briefing materials, and presentations
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders and developing consultation plans
• Supporting accountability and reporting requirements of the Department
• Collaborating with other Departments and agencies and leading working groups
• Coaching and mentoring other policy analysts

Qualifications and Experience

A Bachelor’s Degree in a related field (such as public administration, business, law, etc.) is required as well as six (6) years’ relevant experience, or an equivalent combination.

As the successful candidate, you will have experience in and knowledge of policy and legislative development in a government environment. You will deal with complex processes, ideally through application of formal project management tools, as well as possess excellent interpersonal skills, which includes strong client service orientation and the ability to work collaboratively in a dynamic environment. You will have experience organizing and analyzing data to identify trends. Experience mentoring and coaching others and leading teams would be an asset. Experience working with the agriculture industry would be an asset.

Candidates must be able to communicate complex topics effectively in both written and oral forms. This role will require you to be fully proficient in a Microsoft Office environment, including word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation tools. Key skills utilized in this position include thinking analytically; a client focus mindset; the ability to adapt and be flexible; effective communication and a drive for results.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Related equivalencies may include, but are not limited to:

• A related master’s degree and four (4) years of related experience.

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

Based on the employment status and union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as aDefined 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 .

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

Pay Grade: PR 17

Salary Range: $3,107.16- $3,649.33Bi-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 Womenin 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 [e-mail].

This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:

Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.

External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates.PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing 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 concernsmay be directed [e-mail].