Strategic Initiative & Research Analyst

Job Information
Job Title: Strategic Initiative & Research Analyst
Job Requisition ID: 87099
Ministry: Education and Childcare
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Temporary (1 year)
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: August 31, 2026
Classification: Program Services 3
Salary: $2,935.39 to $3850.29 bi-weekly ($76,613 - $100,492 /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 System Support and Policy Branch provides leadership to build system capacity to meet the needs of children and youth through cross-ministry and welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environment initiatives. This role analyzes programs and builds system capacity that promotes an inclusive education system for children and students.
For more information about the Ministry of Education and Childcare, please visit https://www.alberta.ca/education-and-childcare

Role Responsibilities

Reporting to the Safe Learning Environment Manager, the Strategic Initiatives and Research Analyst is central to building the education system’s capacity to meet the social, emotional and mental health needs of children and youth, supporting their success and well-being in school.
This position provides strategic and research services on a range of complex issues, contributing to the development and implementation of cross-ministry strategic frameworks and operational plans. The Analyst conducts research, analyzes diverse information sources, identifies trends, capacity issues, gaps and opportunities, and develops briefings and recommendations to support operational and strategic decision-making for the branch, sector and department.
The responsibilities for the Analyst position are as below:
• Support cross-ministry frameworks and operational plans: Contribute to the development, implementation and evaluation of strategic frameworks and operational plans that support student well-being and safe learning environments.
• Coordinate partner engagement: Liaise with ministry and cross-ministry partners, coordinate meetings and consultations, and support collaboration with government and non-government stakeholders.
• Analyze policy, supports and services: Review education-related policies, programs, supports and services to identify gaps, assess implications and recommend practical solutions.
• Develop recommendations and briefing materials: Prepare recommendations, briefing notes, supporting documents, speaking notes and responses to public inquiries for ministry decision-makers.
•  Conduct research and environmental scans: Complete literature reviews, environmental scans and research activities to identify emerging trends, issues and opportunities affecting children, youth and school authorities.
• Analyze data and information: Collect, interpret and evaluate qualitative and quantitative information from internal and external sources to inform planning and decision-making.
• Support accountability and evaluation: Develop performance indicators, evaluation measures and accountability approaches to assess initiatives, programs and resources.
• Build school authority capacity: Plan, write, design and edit resources, reports, web content, promotional materials and presentations that help school authorities create welcoming, caring, respectful and safe learning environments.
• Maintain key messaging and communications: Align messaging with current research, legislation, policy, ministry priorities and cross-ministry goals while supporting communication planning and activities.
• Participate in committees and working groups: Represent branch and sector perspectives on ministry and cross-ministry committees, teams and working groups to support coordinated action and implementation of decisions.
• Support continuous improvement and collaboration: Work with branch and sector colleagues to coordinate activities, improve processes, share information and ensure continuity of supports for cross-ministry priorities and initiatives.
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: Considers interrelationships, emerging trends and broader implications when developing research-informed recommendations that support cross-ministry priorities and student well-being.
• Creative Problem Solving: Uses research, data and diverse perspectives to analyze complex issues, identify gaps and develop practical options to improve programs, initiatives and resources.
• Agility: Adapts to changing priorities, stakeholder dynamics and politically sensitive issues while maintaining focus on goals, timelines and effective implementation.
• Develop Networks: Builds and maintains effective relationships with branch, sector, ministry, cross-ministry and external partners to support collaboration, information sharing and coordinated action.
• Drive for Results: Plans, prioritizes and collaborates with others to deliver high-quality analysis, resources, briefings and recommendations within tight and concurrent timelines.

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.
Required Skills
• Strong analytical and critical thinking skills, including the ability to synthesize information from varied sources and develop sound recommendations.
• Research and evaluation skills, including experience with literature reviews, environmental scans, data collection, and qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Ability to interpret policies, programs, supports and services to identify gaps, implications, options and practical solutions.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare briefings, reports, resources, presentations and other materials for varied audiences.
• Experience using data management, business productivity or ministry information systems such as Microsoft Office, PASI, SADS, BI Central or dashboards.
• Time management and Project Management skills, with the ability to prioritize competing assignments and meet tight, concurrent timelines.
Assets
• Knowledge of the Ministry of Education and Childcare mandate, business plan, organizational structure, priorities and programs.
• Knowledge of provincial education legislation, standards, ministerial orders, policies and related frameworks that guide inclusive education and student success.
• Experience supporting cross-ministry initiatives, committees, working groups, strategic frameworks or operational plans.
• Experience developing communications products such as web content, promotional materials, graphics, tables, charts or presentation materials.
Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.

Notes

This is one temporary position for one year, full-time position working 36.25 hours per week, Monday to Friday, in office.
This position is based in Edmonton. We require you to attach a Cover Letter and Resume with your application explaining your qualification and suitability for this role.
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 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 Liliane Karara at Liliane.Karara@gov.ab.ca.