Job Description
Job Duties
The Consultant, Policy [MP1] Planning & Projects (Consultant to the General Manager) will provide senior-level strategic advice to the General Manager, Children's Services and the senior management team, and represent the General Manager on divisional, cluster and corporate initiatives and projects. In addition, the Consultant will work with members of Council and staff to monitor directives, consult on, and apply an intergovernmental lens to, divisional programs, projects and initiatives. Specifically, the successful incumbent:
- Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program-specific requirements.
- Manages assigned projects, ensuring effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality and organizational performance and continuous learning.
- Coordinates and reviews staff reports to Council, ensuring reports meet corporate standards and processes for approval.
- Maintains working knowledge of corporate initiatives and informs the General Manager of divisional responsibilities and/or alignment opportunities.
- Conducts research into assigned area, ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
- Ensures that the project expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
- Supports the General Manager in addressing ongoing and emerging issues and priorities for the Division to ensure timely delivery of services and special projects.
- Ensures that the General Manager is fully briefed on matters, in a timely, accurate and comprehensive manner.
- Provides senior-level strategic policy advice and operational support on complex and contentious issues to the General Manager and the senior management team.
- Develops policy options and divisional practices and procedures that ensure the Division is in full compliance with corporate requirements.
- Leads and manages assigned projects related to divisional/cluster/corporate strategies and issues assigned by the General Manager and the senior management team, applies sound project management methodologies and ensures effective teamwork and communication, and high standards of work quality.
- Leads by chairing the Division's communication and marketing committee in the development and maintenance of a creative, cross-divisional social media strategy.
- Drafts responses, speaking notes and messages from the General Manager regarding various issues.
- Manages the development and delivery of major multi-stakeholder projects and programs associated with the delivery and implementation of childcare services related to provincial legislation and guidelines.
- Establishes an effective and collaborative working relationship with the Division's senior management team, managers and project managers, staff from other City divisions and external stakeholders.
- Liaises with political representatives on behalf of the General Manager and responds to political enquiries.
- Prepares agenda items and reports, and attends Council meetings to monitor Council directives and impact to divisional programs and services.
- Acts as the main point of contact for the General Manager related to all general matters of interest affecting the Division.
- Acts as the divisional representative on cluster or corporate teams for Toronto Public Service initiatives, labour disruption planning, etc., as assigned by the General Manager.
- Resolves policy and administrative issues on behalf of the General Manager by liaising with senior staff across the organization.
- Identifies emerging issues and responds to opportunities or unplanned events.
- Maintains a continuous and thorough knowledge of current corporate and other divisions' issues and initiatives.
- Represents the Division on corporate campaigns.
Key Qualifications
- Post-secondary education in Public Policy and Administration or a related field, in addition to considerable experience working in a public sector or large not-for-profit organization, or an approved equivalent combination of education and related experience.
- Considerable experience in strategic policy and planning, preferably within a government setting or a large not-for profit-organization, supported by excellent analytical skills with the ability to effectively identify barriers, and areas for improvement, propose solutions and implement recommendations.
- Considerable experience preparing complex reports, briefings and correspondence for senior management in order to inform decision-making.
- Experience working with community service and support agencies, politicians and various stakeholders from all levels of government, coupled with political acuity and judgement in order to establish partnerships and effective working relationships.
- Advanced knowledge of, and ability to work with, MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other software packages and programming languages currently used to collect, analyze and report research data; SAS is an asset.
- Thorough understanding of the City's governance structure (e.g. Council and committees), legislative framework and decision-making processes, as well as intergovernmental relationships and protocols.
- Well-developed mediation, negotiation and facilitation skills at a senior level to provide leadership and gain consensus on competing priorities, with the ability to impact and influence others.
- Excellent oral and written communications skills to prepare written materials and communicate information clearly and simply, along with knowledge of social media.
- Familiarity with legislation and policies governing the planning, funding and delivery of childcare, including Ontario Statutes, such as Occupational Health and Safety Act, Day Nurseries Act, Labour Relations Act, applicable collective agreements, in addition to other relevant legislation governing childcare.
- Sound knowledge of current issues and trends in the children’s services field and delivery of community service to advise and debrief the senior management team.
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information, visit jobs.toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/CityTOjobs, on LinkedIn at Linkedin.com/company/city-of-toronto or on Facebook at Facebook.com/CityTOjobs.