Senior Policy Advisor

Job Information
Job Title: Senior Policy Advisor
Job Requisition ID: 86606
Ministry: Primary and Preventative Health Services
Location: Edmonton
Full or Part-Time: Full Time
Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week
Permanent/Temporary/Wage: Permanent
Scope: Open Competition
Closing Date: September 1, 2026
Classification: Program Services 4
Salary: $3,148.20 to $4,126.82 bi-weekly ($82,168 $107,710 year)
The Alberta Public Service works to build a stronger province for current and future generations. We make a difference in the lives of Albertans through rewarding and diverse career opportunities.
The Ministry of Primary and Preventative Health Services is building a more resilient and sustainable health care system that can support Albertans getting care when and where they need it, while responding to system-wide health challenges, improving health outcomes, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. The ministry supports Albertans' health and well-being throughout their lives by protecting public health and promoting wellness; coordinating and delivering safe, person-centered, quality health services; health system planning and capital infrastructure planning; supporting innovative information management and technologies; regulating health care; and funding the health system.
The Pharmaceutical Strategy & Foresight Unit leads the identification of, and develops appropriate responses to, key trends and shifts that may affect the effective and efficient operations of publicly funded drug programs. The unit develops and advances strategic research priorities, conducts advanced environmental scanning and policy analysis and implementation. The unit is also responsible to advance integration of Alberta's publicly funded drug programs with other parts of the health system to support positive collaboration and efficient use of resources. Reporting to the Manager of Pharmaceutical Strategy, the Senior Policy Advisor is responsible for project management and policy and program development work and legislative analysis associated with the review, evaluation and/or implementation of system initiatives on publicly funded drug programs, health benefits, pharmacy services and their integration with other parts of the health system.
For further information, visit the ministry website at https://www.alberta.ca/primary-and-preventative-health-services.

Role Responsibilities

Join a dynamic team at the centre of health policy and legislative development, where your expertise will help advance key priorities and inform decisions that impact Albertans.
As a Senior Policy Advisor, you will provide a high level of advisory, consultative, facilitative, and monitoring/evaluation services. The Advisor leads high profile projects that often involve other partners in the health system or other federal/provincial/territorial drug programs.
The Advisor contributes to high level strategic planning and reporting to ensure that the mandate and goals of the branch are achieved. The Advisor will ensure that the interests and priorities of the department and Government of Alberta (GoA) are effectively represented in related initiatives, projects and activities. The Advisor is required to liaise with key stakeholders and often represents the ministry in interdepartmental work teams, with Alberta Health Services staff, and external committees (federal/provincial/ territorial discussions).
In this role, you will:

• Plan strategies and initiatives related to health system initiatives to improve effectiveness and appropriateness of publicly funded drug programs and access to pharmacy services.
• Employ advanced environmental scanning and methodologies to monitor trends and signals in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Project management, from start to finish, large complex projects with minimal supervision (e.g., all branch strategic foresight and environmental scanning initiatives).
• Collect, synthesize and analyze pharmaceutical in formation and make recommendations to ensure alignment of policies and programs to reflect government direct ion and inform future options.
• Supervise project staff and/or consultants to ensure timely project completion, as required by each assigned project, to accomplish expected outcomes.
• Monitor and report on project status and achievements and provide options on how to solve significant emerging risks and project milestones.

Role Responsibilities Cont'd

• Develop and maintain competencies in, and specialized knowledge of, the pharmaceutical sector.
• Provide the ministry perspective and program directives at external meetings, including representing Alberta on relevant federal/provincial/ territorial committees, and with professional organizations.
• Provide accurate and responsive program information to the general public and health care professionals via direct telephone contact.
• Participate in Ministry committees, teams and working groups, representing and providing branch perspectives and expertise to ensure thoroughness and consistency in policy and program development.
• Collaborate with department staff to ensure coordination and integration of activities and promote collaboration within the Ministry and with health system stakeholders.
• Develops relationships with key stakeholders and maintains an extensive network of contacts to stay abreast of key trends and emerging opportunities in the pharmaceutical sector.
• Assess options and implications that may result from changes to existing services, programs, and legislation through analysis of possible strategies and approaches; identify associated risks and be able to provide strategies to mitigate those risks.
• Keep abreast of current and emerging pharmacy practice issues, continuing care systems, best practice strategies, and developments in drugs/ technology.
• Participate in the development of the yearly operational plan and manage the implementation of the branch strategic plan.
• Provide support and advice that is presented to the Minister, Deputy Minister, Executive Director and/or Director in the development of Alberta's position on new pharmaceutical issues of strategic importance.

The Job Description is provided for Further details on this position.

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.
To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate the following Alberta Public Service competencies:

• Systems Thinking – You consider the broader impacts of policy options across the health system, identify interdependencies and potential risks, and provide advice that supports ministry priorities and government objectives.
• Develop Networks – You build collaborative relationships with program areas, cross-ministry partners, legal services, and stakeholders to gather perspectives, facilitate information sharing, and support the development of effective policy solutions.
• Agility – You respond effectively to changing priorities, emerging issues, and tight timelines by adjusting approaches, identifying alternatives, and providing timely policy analysis and advice.
• Drive for Results – You deliver high-quality policy analysis, briefing materials, and recommendations that support informed decision-making and contribute to achieving ministry objectives.
• Creative Problem Solving – You research and analyze complex issues, integrate diverse perspectives, and develop practical policy options and recommendations that address risks, challenges, and stakeholder considerations.

Qualifications

University graduation in a related field (e.g.: social sciences, health care administration, economics, law, public health, pharmacy) plus 4 years progressively responsible related experience; or equivalent as described below.
Equivalency:
Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of:  1 year of education for 1 year of experience; or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification.
The following experience is required:

• Experience in project design, development, management, and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in leading strategic initiatives, policy development and management, and research evaluation experience within the public and/or health care sector.
• Experience developing and amending policies and working with related legislation.
• Proven track record of developing and maintaining effective relationships and partnerships with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Demonstrated success in managing complex, multi-faceted issues.

The following experience is considered as assets:

• Working knowledge of the tenets of primary healthcare, including pharmaceutical delivery systems and the role of stakeholders.
• Knowledge of health economics, health care systems, epidemiology, roles and relationships of pharmacists and other health care providers in the continuing care environment, and the pharmaceutical industry.
• Working knowledge of research and evaluation methods.
• Knowledge of risk management techniques.
• Knowledge of the client and stakeholder community impacted by the ministry mandate and operations, including relevant organizations, committees, advisory groups, and representatives.
• In-depth knowledge of health issues, public health policies and services, health care system structure, related legislation.

Notes

Hours of work are 8:15 AM to 4:30PM, Monday to Friday.
This is a full-time permanent position working 36.25 hours per week in downtown Edmonton.
Application RequirementsAs part of the application process, you are required to:

• Complete all pre-screen questions.
• Applicants must submit a cover letter outlining why they are interested in the role and how their experience relates to the qualifications. The quality of the cover letter and resume will be assessed as part of the screening process. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
• If a security screening is required: The final candidates may be required to undergo pre-employment checks (Reference check/Criminal record and/or academic).
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.

Links and information on what we have to offer:

• Working for the Alberta Public Service.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP)
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information.
• Professional learning and development.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.

How To Apply
Applicants are advised to provide information that clearly and concisely demonstrates how their qualifications meet the advertised requirements, including education, experience, and relevant examples of required competencies.
Candidates are required to apply for a job online. Please see Job Application Resources for information.
In your resume, please include dates (including months and years) associated with all education and work experience. For example, January 2006 - June 2009 (part-time). This example is provided for illustrative purposes only. Applicants are encouraged to present their information clearly and thoroughly, using a format that best conveys their experience.
It is recommended applicants who have completed post-secondary studies from outside of Canada obtain an evaluation of their credentials from the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or from a recognized Canadian Credential Evaluator; please visit the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada for more information.
It is recommended that applicants include the assessment certificate from IQAS or any other educational assessment service as part of their application.
Closing Statement
This competition may be used to fill future vacancies, across the Government of Alberta, at the same or lower classification level.
We thank all applicants for their interest. All applications will be reviewed to determine which candidates' qualifications most closely match the advertised requirements. Only individuals selected for interviews will be contacted.
If you require any further information on this job posting or require an accommodation during the recruitment process, please contact Edmund Mendoza at [email protected].