POLICY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER SDFA

at  City of Toronto

Job ID: 45378
Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
Division & Section: Social Development, Finance & Admin, SDF&A Social Policy Analysis & Research
Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen St. West, Toronto
Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent
Salary: $112,000.00 - $144,200.00, Wage Grade 7.5
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 3
Posting Period: 08-APR-2024 to 22-APR-2024

JOB SUMMARY

The City of Toronto’s Social Development, Finance & Administration Division (the Division) drives transformative change to achieve stronger, safer, and more resilient communities and neighbourhoods in Toronto. The Division leads the City of Toronto’s strategies on equity and inclusion, poverty reduction, and community safety.
The Division’s Poverty Reduction Office (PRO) current priorities involve working across City Divisions to shepherd and coordinate the Poverty Reduction Strategy’s Third Term Action Plan, focused on housing stability, transportation equity, food access, quality jobs and livable incomes, service system access and systemic change.
Reporting to the Manager, Poverty Reduction Office, the Policy Development Officer will lead strategic policy development, analysis, service planning, strategic planning, involving other levels of government, other City Division, community partners, residents, and other stakeholder to advance equitable, social, and economic outcomes for Torontonians.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education in Social Sciences, Public Policy & Administration, Political Science or the suitable equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Considerable experience in social policy analysis, program development and implementation, and report writing.
• Considerable experience in project management, including managing complex assignments from inception through to implementation with minimal direction while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests, and resolving conflicts.
• Considerable experience cultivating and supporting relationships and partnerships with a diverse range of community and stakeholder groups to align interests and achieve shared goals.
• Experience in the field of community benefits research and policy analysis, with a strong understanding of the current context of key issues, challenges, and relevant key stakeholder groups
• Excellent knowledge of equity and human rights-based approaches.
• Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
• Excellent communication skills in written, verbal, and listening.
• Knowledge of legislation, programs, and stakeholders relevant to the advancement of City priorities related to equity, reconciliation, and inclusion.

• Leads and coordinates strategic policy analysis and research, and policy and program development to advance City of Toronto equity initiatives as directed by Toronto City Council.
• Leads and coordinates the strategic planning, development, writing and production of reports to Toronto City Council and other community benefits publications.
• Facilitates engagement, consultation, and collaboration with a diverse range of community partners and key stakeholders to ensure policy and program approaches are accountable, and rooted in the needs, experience, and expertise of those most impacted.
• Provides strategic advice, analysis and consultation to staff and senior management in City divisions and agencies, and community partners, to support the achievement of shared goals.
• Conducts reviews of programs, policies, and initiatives of other orders of government to achieve critical analysis of their impact on City priorities and develops appropriate policy options and recommendations.
• Represents the City, Deputy City Manager, Division at workshops and committees which have an impact on social development in Toronto Fosters and maintains cooperative and transparent relationships with elected officials, City staff, stakeholders, and other orders of government.
• Contributes to a highly collaborative and collegial work environment that fosters effective teamwork, high quality work and innovation.
• Supervises staff, consultants, and project teams to research, prepare, and monitor implementation of recommendations and manages budgets, requests for proposals and service contracts related to projects.
• Manages, motivates, and trains unit staff ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.