Senior Policy Advisor

Job Information
Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor 
Job Requisition ID: 87139
Ministry: Assisted Living and Social Services
Location: Calgary or Edmonton 
Full or Part-Time: Full-Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: September 9, 2026
Classification: Program Services 4 (024PSA)
Salary: $3,148.20 to $4,126.82 bi-weekly ($82,168 - $107,710/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 Assisted Living and Social Services leads housing, assisted living and continuing care, seniors, income, employment and homelessness supports, disability services, and other social-based programs. For more information about ALSS, visit our website: https://www.alberta.ca/assisted-living-and-social-services.
Are you a strategic thinker with a passion for shaping public policy and improving outcomes for Albertans? The Continuing Care Division is seeking a highly skilled and collaborative Senior Policy Advisor to support the development of forward-looking policy, legislation, and strategic initiatives that strengthen Alberta's continuing care system.
The Continuing Care Homes Branch is responsible for developing strategic policy, legislation, standards, and performance expectations that support Alberta's continuing care homes system. The branch works closely with Assisted Living Alberta and key partners to plan for continuing care service needs, advance major government priorities, and strengthen the quality and sustainability of continuing care services across the province. This work includes leadership on legislation, regulations, strategic initiatives, and system improvements that support Albertans receiving continuing care services.
This position offers an exciting opportunity to influence government decision-making, lead complex policy projects, and contribute to meaningful system transformation that impacts Albertans now and into the future.

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Manager, Legislation & Strategic Communications, the Senior Policy Advisor plays a key role in advancing legislative and policy priorities for the Continuing Care Homes Branch. This position provides strategic policy advice, leads legislative review initiatives, and supports the development and implementation of complex projects that contribute to Alberta's continuing care system transformation.
The job responsibilities include:
Policy Development and Strategic Advice
• Conducting comprehensive research, environmental scans, jurisdictional reviews, and policy analysis.
• Developing and evaluating policy options, identifying risks, opportunities, implementation considerations, and impacts on Albertans.
• Assessing the effectiveness of continuing care policies and recommending improvements to align with government priorities and strategic directions.
• Identifying emerging trends, issues, and pressures affecting access, quality, and sustainability within the continuing care sector.
• Preparing high-quality briefing notes, decision documents, reports, correspondence, presentations, and Cabinet-related materials for senior executives and elected officials.
• Providing strategic advice to senior leadership on policy, legislative, and operational matters.
• Collaborating with subject matter experts to ensure policies and recommendations are evidence-informed and responsive to stakeholder needs.
Legislative Planning and Coordination
• Supporting the development, coordination, and implementation of legislative initiatives.
• Maintaining legislative planning documents, timelines, critical paths, and tracking mechanisms.
• Preparing briefing and decision-making materials required to support legislative amendments and approvals.
• Providing strategic advice on legislative and regulatory matters.
• Conducting red tape reduction analysis and identifying opportunities to improve program and service delivery through legislative modernization.
• Collaborating with Legal and Legislative Services to address legislative and regulatory issues and communicate advice to stakeholders.
Project Leadership and Implementation
You will lead and support complex projects and initiatives by:
• Designing and managing multi-phase, multi-stakeholder projects involving policy, legislative, demographic, economic, and system analysis.
• Developing project plans, identifying resource requirements, monitoring progress, and managing risks.
• Supporting the development and execution of implementation and evaluation strategies.
• Coordinating stakeholder activities and resolving issues arising through committees, working groups, and project teams.
• Developing communication strategies, key messages, question-and-answer materials, and supporting documentation for public announcements and policy implementation.
• Providing leadership, facilitation, and knowledge transfer to project teams and stakeholder groups.

Role Responsibilities Continued

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
• Establishing and maintaining productive relationships with health and social system partners, continuing care providers, housing providers, health professionals, Indigenous communities, advocacy organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Facilitating engagement processes to gather diverse perspectives and inform policy recommendations.
• Representing the Ministry on internal, cross-ministry, and cross-government committees and working groups.
• Collaborating with stakeholders to identify emerging issues, opportunities, and innovative solutions impacting continuing care.
• Supporting consultations and engagement initiatives to ensure policies reflect stakeholder and public input.
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.
Systems Thinking
• Taking a holistic approach to understanding challenges and opportunities.
• Anticipating outcomes, implications, and potential impacts of decisions.
• Seeking diverse stakeholder perspectives to inform recommendations.
• Aligning actions and plans with APS values and organizational objectives.
• Collaborating across teams and ministries to identify opportunities for partnership and shared success.
Agility
• Identifying alternative approaches and encouraging innovative thinking.
• Proactively communicating the impact of change to stakeholders.
• Recognizing and addressing stakeholder concerns during periods of transition.
• Anticipating obstacles and maintaining focus on achieving objectives.
• Making informed decisions in uncertain situations while developing contingency plans.
Drive for Results
• Forecasting potential challenges and implementing proactive solutions.
• Removing obstacles that impact collaboration and project success.
• Upholding principles and addressing issues directly and constructively.
• Considering multiple factors and aligning solutions with broader organizational goals.
• Demonstrating accountability for results and continuous improvement.
Develop Networks
You build strong and productive relationships by:
• Creating meaningful connections with key stakeholders and partners.
• Ensuring diverse perspectives and needs are represented in decision-making.
• Going above and beyond to understand and respond to stakeholder needs.
• Fostering inclusive engagement and open communication.
• Building trust and credibility through collaboration and responsiveness.

Qualifications

Minimum Recruitment Standards
University graduation in health, social sciences, business, public administration, public health or a related field, plus 4 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.
The following experience is required:
• Conducting policy analysis and supporting policy development initiatives. 
• Researching complex issues, evaluating options, and developing implementable recommendations. 
• Managing projects and coordinating activities involving multiple stakeholders. 
• Preparing concise and accurate briefing materials, reports, and recommendations for decision-makers.
The following experience is considered as assets:
• Alberta's continuing care sector, including home and community care, supportive living, and long-term care. 
• Health system policy, planning, funding, or service delivery. 
• Health legislation and regulatory frameworks. 
• Economics, health economics, business strategy, or public-sector strategic planning. 
• Government policy development and decision-making processes.
The following experience will be given preference:
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking skills. 
• Strong organizational and project management abilities, including managing competing priorities and deadlines.
• Written and verbal communication skills. 
• Experience interpreting and supporting legislative reviews and amendments.
Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 

Notes

Hours of work are 08:15 AM to 04:30 PM, Monday to Friday. This is a full-time permanent position, working 36.25 hours per week.
Location: Alberta Government Services Building, Main Floor, 710 - 4 Avenue S. W., Calgary, Alberta, T2P 0K3 or ATB Place North, 10025 Jasper Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T5J 1S6.
A cover letter outlining how your experience relates to the qualifications of this role is required. In your cover letter, please briefly summarize:
1) How your professional and/or academic background relates to this role, including your direct and transferable expertise and skills.
2) Reason(s) for interest in this role.
Final candidates may be required to undergo a criminal records check (CRC).
Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.
Links and information on what we have to offer: 
• Working for the Alberta Public Service
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• 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 online. Please see Job Application Resources for more 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 also 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.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Nadine Uwimana at Nadine.Uwimana@gov.ab.ca