Senior Analyst (Program Admin Officer 4)

at  Province of Nova Scotia

Department: Education & Early Childhood Development
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 12-Feb-25 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)

ABOUT US

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is leading the transformation of the early years and public education system in Nova Scotia. We are doing this by working closely with our partners in education to design innovative curriculum and facilitate excellence in teaching and learning to ensure an inclusive education experience.

ABOUT OUR OPPORTUNITY

The Business Support Centre (BSC) is seeking an experienced Senior Analyst to join our team. In this role, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality services and support to RCEs/CSAP, EECD, and the public across Nova Scotia. Your work will support core functions like finance, procurement, human capital management, recruitment, corporate reporting, and operations, contributing to the success of educational initiatives across the province.
The Senior Analyst collaborates directly with EECD, vendors, partners, and leadership teams from the RCEs and CSAP, including directors of operations, human resources, and finance. With eight unique clients, each with distinct organizational structures and capacities, the Senior Analyst must navigate a variety of programs, policies, and business rules while ensuring alignment with EECD’s goals.
This position reports to the Manager, Business Support Centre.

PRIMARY ACCOUNTABILITIES

In this role, you will be responsible for leading and supporting initiatives that enhance the operational efficiency and strategic impact of SAP and other critical systems across the Regional Centres for Education (RCEs) and the Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP). This involves collaborating with various stakeholders, advising on best practices, and ensuring smooth coordination with central IT and external partners. Your expertise will help guide policy development, process improvements, and effective implementation of system changes, all while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

• Lead the development of province-wide policies and strategies for SAP program-wide initiatives and specialized peripheral systems of the RCEs/CSAP.
• Provide in-depth analysis to inform labor negotiations and strategic decisions regarding system changes and enhancements, including those related to diverse employee agreements.
• Develop quality assurance and risk management frameworks to ensure the integrity and reliability of data and business processes.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity within SAP systems to support EECD’s reporting requirements by maintaining consistent data management practices.
• Oversee the provisioning of appropriate SAP security access for RCEs/CSAP, incorporating continuous improvement principles into processes to streamline and secure system access.
• Advise on the development, implementation, evaluation, and resource allocation for enhancements to RCE/CSAP applications.
• Lead project teams to implement new policies, processes, applications, and/or enhancements to SAP practices.
• Represent the public education system through active participation in prioritizing enhancements, modifications, or expansions, based on a deep understanding of customer needs.
• Coordinate and ensure the delivery of required upgrades and modifications of SAP modules with the Provincial SAP group.
• Serve as the primary public education contact and liaison with the Central Provincial SAP group on technical matters.
• Act as a consultant within government and with RCEs/CSAP on the development and delivery of training programs and workshops.
• Improve short-term and long-term business performance by delivering expert research, analysis, consultation, and advice on project and program issues to RCEs/CSAP, along with technical and professional solution recommendations.
• Collaborate with a team of professional staff responsible for implementing governance processes in line with corporate information management policies and legislation and provide information services.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

To be successful in this role, you will have a bachelor’s degree and at least five (5) years of related experience; or graduation from a recognized Information Technology Program plus five (5) years and six (6) months of related experience; or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable.
You possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, allowing you to assess complex business needs and translate them into practical solutions. Your experience in facilitating communication between stakeholders ensures that business requirements are effectively gathered and understood.
You bring strong business analyst expertise, excelling in creating user-friendly documentation, mapping out business processes, and guiding teams through changes. With a proven track record in working with data, testing software, and preparing reports for senior management, you demonstrate an ability to communicate complex concepts in a way that supports decision-making.
As a self-starter, you thrive in dynamic environments, working independently with minimal supervision while maintaining a collaborative mindset. Your approach is rooted in sound judgment and a high degree of personal integrity, especially when handling confidential information. You can navigate ambiguity and conflicting information to determine the root cause of issues, building consensus and fostering a positive, inclusive team culture.

• Lead the development of province-wide policies and strategies for SAP program-wide initiatives and specialized peripheral systems of the RCEs/CSAP.
• Provide in-depth analysis to inform labor negotiations and strategic decisions regarding system changes and enhancements, including those related to diverse employee agreements.
• Develop quality assurance and risk management frameworks to ensure the integrity and reliability of data and business processes.
• Ensure data accuracy and integrity within SAP systems to support EECD’s reporting requirements by maintaining consistent data management practices.
• Oversee the provisioning of appropriate SAP security access for RCEs/CSAP, incorporating continuous improvement principles into processes to streamline and secure system access.
• Advise on the development, implementation, evaluation, and resource allocation for enhancements to RCE/CSAP applications.
• Lead project teams to implement new policies, processes, applications, and/or enhancements to SAP practices.
• Represent the public education system through active participation in prioritizing enhancements, modifications, or expansions, based on a deep understanding of customer needs.
• Coordinate and ensure the delivery of required upgrades and modifications of SAP modules with the Provincial SAP group.
• Serve as the primary public education contact and liaison with the Central Provincial SAP group on technical matters.
• Act as a consultant within government and with RCEs/CSAP on the development and delivery of training programs and workshops.
• Improve short-term and long-term business performance by delivering expert research, analysis, consultation, and advice on project and program issues to RCEs/CSAP, along with technical and professional solution recommendations.
• Collaborate with a team of professional staff responsible for implementing governance processes in line with corporate information management policies and legislation and provide information services