Director, Strategic Policy and Planning

Competition # : 50161

Department: Natural Resources

Location: HALIFAX

Type of Employment: Permanent

Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG

Closing Date: 24-Nov-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

About Us

Nova Scotia is rich in natural resources - including biodiversity, forests, geological resources, provincial parks and the land we manage. The Department of Natural Resources is responsible for the development, management, conversation and protection of forest, mineral, parks and wildlife resources and the administration of the province's crown land. Together, we are working with Nova Scotians to build a better future through sustainable natural resource management as we all benefit from the natural health and wealth of the province.

About Our Opportunity

As Director, Strategic Policy and Planning, you provide leadership in facilitating appropriate linkages between policy, program and delivery structures, and developing new inclusive approaches which will generate greater collective knowledge and enhance capacity for integrated, collaborative policy planning, legislative and regulatory development.

In addition, you provide strategic direction and oversight for the research, design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of department strategies and initiatives.

Further, you are responsible for directing a team of policy professionals, including maintaining appropriate relationships with central agencies (ECO, OSE, FTB), and directing and ensuring the quality of DNR and DOE submissions to Executive Council.

Primary Accountabilities

• Lead and develop an effective, coordinated strategic planning infrastructure with associated policy, planning and regulatory management processes, change management, standards and guidelines for DNR/DOE.
• Lead policy/planning initiatives, with an emphasis on those related to key natural resource and energy strategies.
• Provide broad oversight for environmental scanning and analyses to monitor trends, identify gaps and risks in internal planning activities and to inform and stimulate discussion about future strategic directions and opportunities that might affect policy and planning decisions.
• Provide oversight for the development and coordination of legislative planning and response during the Legislative Sessions of the House.
• Oversee and directs the development of departmental Memos to Executive Council, R&Rs, legislative requests, Briefing Books, and all Committee appearances for DNR and DOE.
• Provide a planned approach to increase internal capacity and build and sustain required skill sets of the team to meet current and future needs, ensuring the policy and planning team are properly resourced, motivated, empowered and have access to opportunities for growth and development.

Qualifications and Experience

You are an innovative policy leader with an educational background in policy development and administration (e.g. Public Administration) and have progressive senior leadership experience in a related field.

You demonstrate experience in evidence-based decision making and have a sound understanding of government processes. You also have the ability to adapt strategy as conditions change and develop or lead innovative ideas based on reasoning and creativity.

You have a strategic orientation and demonstrate experience in taking a systems approach in the development of frameworks, strategies, policies, and programs. In doing so, you have experience undertaking innovative strategies and approaches to identify sustainable and effective policy and program options that align with broader government strategy and objectives.

We also want to hear about your experience and achievements in maintaining professional and effective relationships, in leading and aligning teams, and in promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Progressive experience within government, across a variety of Departments, is considered an asset.

Required competencies for this position include: Analytical Thinking, Strategic Orientation, Innovativeness, Adaptability and Flexibility, Initiative, Effective Interactive Communication, Partnering and Relationship Building, Intercultural and Diversity Proficiency.

Qualifications and competencies will be assessed using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

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

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plann 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.

Additional Information

This is a permanent, full-time position based in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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
• A dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.

Pay Grade:EC 13

Salary Range:$4,322.15 - $5,402.66 Bi-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, Persons of African Descent, Racialized Persons, Persons with Disabilities, 2SLGBTQIA+ Persons and Women in 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 [email protected].

Current government employees may access this posting through the link below:

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.

If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more 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. Where required, candidates must provide proof that they are legally entitled to work in Canada. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].