Senior Policy Analyst

The Role

Advances the Region of Waterloo’s key projects and strategic initiatives by providing intergovernmental relations support and advice to internal business units, developing internal policy frameworks, and analyzing legislation.  
 
Supports and maintains effective relationships with the cities, townships, and other intergovernmental partners at the provincial and federal levels.  

Duties/Responsibilities

• Provides advisory support to internal business units supporting the planning and delivery of inter-agency/governmental projects, and other provincial and federal programs where there are interfaces with the organization.
• Provides strategic intergovernmental relations advice to internal business units to advance key projects. Works with and provides advice to staff and senior management across the corporation on legislative policy issues.
• Identifies potential funding steams and opportunities for current and future projects and initiatives, including key infrastructure and high-profile capital projects. 
• Collaborates with internal business units and other corporate partners to prepare resources in support of funding applications and other activities. Makes recommendations on funding allocations for new initiatives and systems. Develops and advises on government funding opportunities and allocation. 
• Facilitates relationships with key decision-makers and community partners at local, provincial, and federal levels. 
• Coordinates and supports the organization’s participation in intergovernmental activities, including conference coordination, meeting with all orders of government, and anticipating and navigating issues.  
• Monitors and evaluates opportunities and risks to business area objectives in relation to the evolving policy and legislative environment, and in relation to broad organizational goals.
• Develops key messages for government partners, briefing notes, advocacy documents, and social media content as needed.  
• Conducts research, monitors, assesses, and analyses policy, legislative, and regulatory changes, proposals, initiatives, and issues that may have implications for the organization, including gauging municipal trends and developing recommendations.  
• Supports effective communications to internal business units and intergovernmental partners.
• Conducts analysis and develops professional and objective strategic policy advice.
• Prepares/supports the preparation of grant and other funding applications and monitors the status of funding applications for the organization.
• Works with the Region of Waterloo finance team regarding funding streams, project-specific financials, and tracking of government funding applications. 
• Performs related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and skills are normally acquired through a degree in a related field (e.g., public policy, planning, business administration, economics) plus progressively responsible related experience.
• Knowledge of intergovernmental relations, governance, public relations and stakeholder relations, municipal funding, and operations and services of major government organizations.
• Demonstrated experience working with diverse stakeholders and managing relationships with the provincial and federal governments and provincial associations. 
• Demonstrated experience providing strategic advice and support to business areas. 
• Experience in policy research, analysis, and development practices. 
• Knowledge of government agency relationships.
• Understanding of the Region’s departments, organizational and decision-making structure, regulations governing its operations, staff, history, community perceptions, and media relationships.
• Ability to keep current on provincial and federal legislative changes that may have implications for the organization. 
• Political acuity, judgment, and discretion with confidential information.
• Knowledge of and ability to comply with policies, procedures, legislation, and standards (e.g., freedom of information, privacy, accessibility), and collective agreements. 
• Ability to lead project teams across multiple business units and with external organizations and apply project management methodologies. 
• Strategic, analytical, conceptual thinking, and continuous improvement skills to resolve/handle complex, politically sensitive, and multi-stakeholder situations/issues.
• Leadership, human relations, conflict resolution, and collaboration skills.
• Public speaking and facilitation skills with ability to convey information clearly to all levels in the organization.
• Ability to participate as an effective team member.
• Ability to write clear, concise reports, briefings, and policy papers for senior management that include strategic advice and recommendations on sensitive issues. 
• Computer skills with ability to use software such as Microsoft Office and program applications.
• Ability to travel within and outside Waterloo Region. 
• Ability to adjust schedule to attend evening meetings.
• Ability to support and demonstrate the Region’s values.