Policy Advisor

Policy Advisor

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Posting Date: Jul 23, 2026

Location: Edmonton, AB

Company: Government of Alberta

Job Information
Job Title: Policy Advisor 
Job Requisition ID: 86179
Ministry: Advanced Education
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: August 10, 2026 
Classification: Program Services 3
Salary: $2,935.39 to $3,850.29 bi-weekly ($76,613.67 - $100,492.56 /year) 
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.
The Ministry of Advanced Education in Alberta is a key department of the provincial government responsible for overseeing the post-secondary education system. It plays a vital role in supporting universities, colleges, polytechnic institutions, and apprenticeship programs across the province.
In addition, the Ministry works to align education with the needs of Alberta’s economy by promoting skills development, research, and innovation. It collaborates with educational institutions, industry partners, and communities to prepare students for successful careers and to contribute to the province’s economic and social growth.
Overall, the Ministry of Advanced Education plays a critical role in shaping Alberta’s future by strengthening its workforce and supporting lifelong learning opportunities for all residents.
To learn more about the Ministry of Advanced Education in Alberta and what it has to offer, follow this link: Advanced Education | Alberta.ca
The Policy Coordination and Intergovernmental Relations unit
The unit is responsible for leading a corporate approach to policy coordination and priority tracking that enables strategic alignment and navigation of government decision making processes to deliver on the Minister's mandate and Government of Alberta priorities. It is also responsible for special projects including Minister-appointed advisory agencies, Advanced Education's role under the Provincial Priorities Act, and the department's strategy prioritization, tracking, and reporting. This includes leading and directing development of Advanced Education's materials for government and senior leadership transitions. 

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Policy and Strategy Coordination, the Policy Advisor plays a key role in advancing ministry priorities by providing strategic policy, project, and coordination support across a wide range of initiatives. Working at the intersection of policy development, government decision-making, and executive leadership, the role supports the preparation of briefing materials, Cabinet submissions, presentations, and strategic advice for senior leadership, the Minister, and Cabinet. The Policy Advisor leads and coordinates projects, conducts research and analysis, supports program implementation, monitors legislative developments, and facilitates collaboration across teams to ensure ministry priorities and strategic initiatives are effectively planned, tracked, and delivered. Operating within government legislation, policies, and procedures, the position requires strong analytical, organizational, and relationship-building skills in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
The Policy Advisor is responsible for:

• Supporting strategic initiatives, mandate commitment tracking, ministry planning, and agenda-setting activities.
• Drafting briefing notes, Cabinet reports, presentations, speaking notes, and action request responses.
• Conducting policy research, analysis, jurisdictional scans, and developing policy options for senior leadership, the Minister, and Cabinet.
• Coordinating projects through timelines, critical paths, trackers, meetings, and progress reporting.
• Providing secretariat services, including agenda development, meeting support, mailbox management, note-taking, and administrative coordination.
• Supporting Minister-appointed advisory agencies through governance, communications, records management, and member support.
• Assisting with policy and program implementation, legislative interpretation, stakeholder engagement, and program reporting.
• Analyzing quantitative and qualitative data to support program evaluation and continuous improvement.
• Preparing and coordinating Cabinet packages, initiative tracking, and reporting on Cabinet decisions.
• Monitoring Legislative Assembly discussions (Hansard) and providing analysis to inform ministry priorities.
• Providing strategic advice and facilitating collaboration across policy, program, executive, and stakeholder groups.
• Building strong relationships to support coordinated decision-making, clear communication, and alignment with ministry priorities.

The Job Description is provided for further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process. 
In addition, other key competencies would demonstrate:
Systems Thinking: Demonstrates the ability to provide strategic advice that aligns Government of Alberta priorities, platform commitments, ministry initiatives, and departmental objectives. Applies a corporate and enterprise-wide perspective to policy analysis and decision-support materials, using strong judgment, political acuity, and a constructive challenge function to assess issues and develop effective recommendations.
Agility: Thrives in a fast-paced and evolving environment by adapting quickly to changing priorities, emerging issues, and shifting stakeholder expectations. Delivers high-quality policy products, strategic advice, and decision-support materials within tight timelines while effectively managing multiple priorities.
Drive for Results: Maintains a strong awareness of ministry priorities and proactively identifies opportunities to advance strategic initiatives. Delivers timely, accurate, and value-added work products while continuously seeking opportunities to improve policy coordination processes, services, and tools to better support leadership and ministry clients.
Develop Networks: Builds and maintains strong, high-trust relationships with stakeholders across the ministry to understand business needs, provide strategic advice, and support informed decision-making. Fosters collaboration across policy and program areas and advances Policy Coordination as a trusted corporate service that enables ministry-wide alignment, communication, and successful outcomes.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field plus 2 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.
Equivalency: Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of

• 1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 
•  1 year of experience for 1 year of education. 

Requirements:

• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience in policy, strategy, program, project coordination, or a related field.
• Knowledge of government priorities, policy development, decision-making processes, and ministry operations
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to prepare briefing materials, reports, presentations, and strategic advice for diverse audiences.
• Demonstrated analytical, research, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, including policy analysis, jurisdictional scanning, and data interpretation.
• Experience supporting projects, policy initiatives, or program implementation, including tracking deliverables, coordinating stakeholders, and meeting tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational and issues management skills with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and contribute effectively both independently and as part of a team.
• Understanding of the policy cycle, Cabinet decision-making processes, and the machinery of government.

Assets:

• Knowledge of Alberta legislation, Advanced Education priorities, and the post-secondary education sector.
• Experience with government administrative processes, systems, and technology platforms.
• Experience using AI tools, including large language models (LLMs), to support research, analysis, and content development while applying critical judgment to outputs.
• Experience providing secretariat support, including agenda development, meeting coordination, note-taking, and managing shared mailboxes.
• Experience working on cross-functional projects, strategic initiatives, and stakeholder engagement activities.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Notes

This is a permanent full-time position, working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
This position is based in Edmonton.
For the resume for each job kindly indicate the position title, name of organization and start and end month and year clearly.
Cover letters are a mandatory requirement as part of the candidate selection process.
All selected candidates may be required to complete a pre interview assignment.
Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) OR Management Employee Pension Plan (MEPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information
• Professional learning and development
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
  

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resoures for information. 
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Annie Ostopowich at Annie.Ostopowich@gov.ab.ca.

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