Department: Opportunities and Social Development
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Term
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 25-Apr-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

ABOUT US

At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Homelessness and Supportive Housing, and Disability Support Program (DSP).
Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

As the Manager, ESS, you will work collaboratively with senior leadership in and across government departments to support the advancement of the Employment Support Services program development and policy implementation. You will achieve this through:

• Developing, formulating, and administering effective and efficient Employment Support and Income Assistance (ESIA) policy, regulations, program standards and procedures, including making recommendations for improvement and identifying gaps in services.
• Initiating, planning, developing, communicating, and managing a wide range of projects, employment-related initiatives, programs and services.
• Representing the Department and division locally and provincially while consulting with key partners to ensure sound policy development and alignment with government objectives and priorities.
• Providing leadership within the division in the achievement of the short- and long-term objectives of the department.
• Providing expert advice to senior leaders and various working committees by preparing, coordinating and assuring quality control for a variety of briefing materials, reports and presentations.
• Leading the division’s accountability requirements, conducting reviews and monitoring ongoing results of policy, program standards and program outcomes.
• Ensuring the effective monitoring of financial resources to understand budget utilization or reallocation, the coordination of incoming requests for additional resources, monitoring expenditures and adhering to procurement guidelines.
• Supporting human resources oversight by implementing regular staff performance planning for two (2) direct reports, promoting diversity and a healthy workplace, demonstrating leadership competencies and promoting teamwork and individual development.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

You have a bachelor’s or master’s degree in policy, program, and research combined with several years of related experience in the design and development of policies and programs.
You must have a sound understanding of the diverse and basic needs of clients and their families, as well as the impact of program / policy development on the lives and futures of many households and individuals in need of basic support, as well as employability support services.
Strong organizational and research skills are essential. You are analytical and can identify opportunities, determine program requirements, evaluate alternatives, and provide sound recommendations to senior leadership. You must have excellent communication and presentation skills, along with excellent project management abilities. You promote positive teamwork and a collaborative atmosphere where an inclusion and diversity lens, including an Africentric lens, is applied to the development and management of strategies, policies, standards, and program design.
The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviors and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains include Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions, and Systems Transformation.
Please follow LEADS for more information.
We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Please refer the Job description for details