GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT POSITION DESCRIPTION. Date: June 11, 2018 Position Number:

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1 GOVERNMENT OF NUNAVUT POSITION DESCRIPTION Date: June 11, 2018 Position Number: Position: Assistant Deputy Minister, Education Incumbent: Reports to: Deputy Minister (DM), Education Location: Headquarters Effective: Deputy Minister Department of Education Date General Accountability The Assistant Deputy Minister, Education (ADM) is part of the Department s core senior administrative team integral to ensuring the effective operation of the Department and provision of the highest educational standards and services in Nunavut. Reporting to the Deputy Minister, Education (DM / Deputy Minister); the incumbent is ultimately responsible for overseeing the effective implementation of the Education Act and supporting Regulations as well as the Child Day Care Act and Regulations and Nunavut s Adult Learning Strategy. In so doing, the ADM is tasked with the strategic leadership of all School Services and School Operations activities for the purposes of facilitating the efficient operation of safe and secure student-centered schools that conform to the Nunavut curriculum and are responsive to the needs of the community. In so doing, the incumbent: Functions as the Department s representative overseeing school services and school operations for the early learners (i.e., those enrolled in daycare, preschool programs), kindergarten to grade 12 students, and adult learners; Sets the strategic direction for the Department s school services and school operations activities to ensure achievement of legislated and policy-based responsibilities and provides operational direction aiding in the implementation of the Government Mandate; Contributes to setting the Department s strategic direction, goals, objectives, principles, priorities, etc. and leading the Department toward their achievement; Supports the development of successful students (i.e., students able to navigate Nunavut s Education Program and curriculum) by ensuring provision of responsive student support services as part of Nunavut s commitment to inclusive education which recognizes each student s individual needs and strengths; June 2018 Page 1

2 Ensures provision of District Education Authority (DEA) / Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut (CSFN) supports in accordance with the Education Act; Ensures achievement of bilingual education standards in schools by 2019, implementation of the Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy (NALS) and the Child Day Care Act, implementation of the Nunavut Student Educator Ratio initiative; Leads special Educational Initiatives. This position works within the Government of Nunavut s Legislative and Policy framework(s) and carries-out their responsibilities in accordance with Government of Nunavut Acts, regulations, policies, departmental procedures and directives. The ADM supports the Department in the application of its Project Management Process Administrative Directive and participates in Committees (as and when required) that pertain to the activities of the Division and / or the Department as a whole. The incumbent ensures that the services and supports they provide reflect / are aligned with Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit (IQ) principles. Organizational Structure This position is one of six reporting to the Deputy Minister. The others are: Director of Corporate Services; Director of Policy & Planning; Manager, Communications; Manager, Partner Relations; Executive Secretary, DM. Subordinates The Assistant Deputy Minister has eleven (11) direct reports: Executive Director, Qikiqtani School Operations (Pond Inlet); Executive Director, Kitikmeot School Operations (Kugluktuk); Executive Director, Kivalliq School Operations (Baker Lake); Director, Educator Development (Iqaluit); Director, Student Achievement (Iqaluit); Directrice, éducation en français (Iqaluit); Director, Curriculum Development (Arviat); Director, Resource Services (Iqaluit); Director, Early Learning and Child Care (Iqaluit); Director, Advanced Education (Iqaluit); Project Services Coordinator (Iqaluit). Nature and Scope The delivery of Education services in Nunavut is challenged by several factors including (but not limited to): geography, ready and consistent access to a pool of qualified staff with an understanding of the unique operational environment in the North, the requirement to deliver school programs in multiple languages (i.e., Inuktitut / Inuinnaqtun, English, French). These requirements stretch the capacity of the system to June 2018 Page 2

3 deliver quality education. As the Assistant Deputy Minister leading the Education portfolio, it is the incumbent s responsibility to navigate through these challenges and facilitate the delivery of quality education to territorial residents. As the senior manager leading the Department s School Operations and School Services groups, the ADM sets the strategic direction that the Department takes to effectively respond to the legislated and policy requirements for which it is responsible. School Services (comprised of 10 Divisions under the supervision of the incumbent and approximately 122 staff), develops the Education Program (curriculum) and all supports (i.e., student assessment, in-service training, guidance, and resources) required to facilitate successful implementation of the Education Program for K-12 students, adult learners, early learners (i.e., those in pre-school and daycare), and French education (both French as a first language and French as an Additional Language) learners. School Operations (charged with the implementation of Nunavut s Education Program / curriculum) supervises and administers all schools in Nunavut (n=43), with the exception of Ėcole des trois soleils, and does so through three Regional Offices (Qikiqtani, Kivalliq, and Kitikmeot). School Operations has approximately 1, staff and serves approximately 8,500 full-time equivalent students. As the party providing strategic direction for the development and implementation of Nunavut s Education Program, the incumbent provides educational direction in keeping with the Department s philosophy to: Executive Directors, Directors, Managers, District Education Authorities (DEAs) / CSFN, and others as applicable. This requires concerted leadership, strategic management, and the establishment and maintenance of strong working relationships. To aid in the delivery of quality education and the Government of Nunavut s commitment to the Government Mandate, the incumbent works to find solutions / implement programs and supports that: Increase student attendance and completion / graduation rates; Work to reduce the challenges of poverty, overcrowded housing, poor nutrition and their effect on children s education; Improve school s planning processes and support positive learning environments. Dimensions (2016/17) O&M Budget: $198,390,000 Person Years: 1, Capital Budget: $0 Spending Authority: $500,000 Payment Authority: None Specific Accountabilities June 2018 Page 3

4 This position provides functional leadership and direction and operational support in aid of program delivery and policy changes (resulting from ministerial and departmental objectives) to all schools. As such, he / she is accountable for: Functioning as a core member of the Department's Senior Management Team and a leader in the Department; Functioning as the Department s internal and external spokesperson on matters pertaining to education, school operations and services, student achievement, the strategic direction of education programming, etc.; o Traveling to communities across Nunavut to interface / consult with the Public in situations where the Department is undertaking a strategic initiatives; o Visiting schools, administrators, and educators to develop a fulsome understanding of operational and strategic needs. Guiding divisional leads as they undertake responsibilities related to school services and operations; Overseeing the management of School Operations and school services and designated annual budgets (in accordance with the Financial Administration Act); o Identifying budgetary requirements; capital, operational policy / procedural, data, communication, research, training needs; along with reporting and other requirements necessary to better position school services, School Operations, and the Department as a whole for success; o Establishing the strategic priorities, goals, objectives, performance measures for school services and School Operations; o Reporting on the findings from school services and School Operations activities. Contributing to the planning of strategic initiatives designed to improve the delivery of Education programs across the Territory; Identifying the Department s strategic and business needs, operational gaps, and risks; Participating in setting departmental priorities and objectives; Working closely with the Deputy Minister to implement the department s business plan goals and objectives and annual plan priorities. Strategy; Overseeing implementation of various funding models and formulas to ensure an equitable distribution of finite resources across the territory. For example the Nunavut Student Educator Ratio ; Actively contributing to implementing: o The Education Act; o The Inuit Language Protection Act; o The Child Day Care Act; o The Official Languages Act; o The Universitites and Degree Granting Institutions Act o The Department s responsibilities under the Nunavut Suicide Prevention Strategy Action Plan; o The Nunavut Adult Learning Strategy; o The Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act; o The Greenland and Nunavut Education Appendix to the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation. June 2018 Page 4

5 Ensuring the provision of supports to DEAs / CSFN in accordance with the Charter and Education Act; o Ensuring DEAs / CSFN has the supports required to undertake their responsibilities; o Reviewing / resolving DEA concerns (as necessary) and preparing responses for Minister / DM signiture when intractable issues occur. Overseeing school year calendar development processes; Ensuring the provision of training and evaluation for school staff; Implementing and ensuring application of a project management and evaluation / assessment approaches across all project / program based activities within the Department; Providing advice and operational support to the Deputy Minister, Education; Actively participating public events which profile the activities of the Department and / or the Education Program (e.g., commencements / graduation ceremonies, media events, etc.); Identifying opportunities for operational improvement across the Department and overseeing / directing strategic departmental projects; Providing advice and support to the Minister, Deputy Minister, and others as appropriate; Actively representing the Department in the Legislative Assembly, etc.; Actively participating in Assistant Deputy Minister s Committee and subcommittees Participating in interdepartmental and external committees (e.g., Joint Consortium of School Health Management Committee / Health-Education Working Group / Health Safety and Wellness group, Regulatory and Policy Development group, School Improvement committee, School Operations Team,, ACDME (CMEC), Inuusiq Committee); Participating in national and international conferences, forums, etc. that pertain to education and / or education in the North; Overseeing the preparation of and approving departmental proposals, options, Briefing Notes, and decision papers tabled by the Minister as needed; Managing direct reports by: o Performing general supervisory tasks and associated mentorship / on-the-job coaching support at regular intervals; o Reviewing staff work on a regular basis to ensure established outcomes are achieved; o As appropriate, utilizing employee retention, succession planning, and vacancy management practices; o Conducting performance reviews to assess the extent to which mutually agreed upon objectives have been achieved; o Addressing employee performance issues and/or imposing progressive discipline as required; o Developing and implementing staff training plans; o Ensuring that staff duties and responsibilities are addressed particularly in situations where staff may be absent. June 2018 Page 5

6 Performing other duties as required. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities The set of skills, knowledge, experience, and abilities required to successfully respond to the requirements of this position would normally be acquired through a Master s Degree in areas such as: Education, Business or Public Administration. The ideal candidate has an understanding of prevailing theories in education pedagogy, has a minimum of 5 years of experience as an educational leader, and has 5 years of senior managerial experience. A combination of education and experience at the senior administrative level could be considered as equivalencies. The position is considered a highly sensitive position and requires both a clean Criminal Record Check as well as Vulnerable Sector Check. In addition, the ideal candidate possesses the following: Current with prevailing theories, developments, trends, and best practices in the field of Education; Demonstrated understanding of Nunavut s education / schooling system, Education Program, and Curriculum; Knowledge and awareness of Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit and how to apply it to educational projects; Knowledge of departmental philosophy, educational principles, beliefs, and pedagogy; Understanding of the socio-economic and cultural environment in which the Department of Education operates; Effective skill in administration and management of staff in a multi-tiered regulatory environment; Knowledge of school structures, staffing, and administration requirements; Expert-level knowledge of, and experience developing and implementing strategic goals, programs, and services; Demonstrated leader capable of facilitating consensus building and mobilizing staff toward achieving departmental / organizational goals, objectives, commitments; Ability to work collaboratively with subordinates, senior management, and with individuals from a variety of organizations; Strong understanding of policy, procedure, and program development including experience with program implementation and evaluation (experience acquired in an Education capacity is preferred); Experienced project manager; Sensitivity to working in cross-cultural situations; Effective communication skills with the ability to work in a bilingual and bicultural environment and able to engage effectively with a range of stakeholders / audiences in varying capacities; Ability to plan strategically by identifying short and longer-term objectives, objectives, priorities; June 2018 Page 6

7 Familiarity with the Government of Nunavut policy and budgetary development processes; Experience following Human Resource procedures in a manner that encourages adherence to procedures and encourages staff growth and improvement; Strong interpersonal and people management / managerial and supervisory skills inclusive of: o Demonstrated experience managing and motivating staff to effectively and efficiently deliver on responsibilities; o Demonstrated problem-solving (conflict management) abilities particularly as it relates to employee management; o Ability to mentor and facilitate staff development. Proven ability to effectively facilitate workshops, meetings, committees, and associated group events (e.g., community and public engagements, press events, etc.); Familiarity with or have the capacity to become knowledgeable in the Department s computerized systems and software with which they will operate on an ongoing basis. June 2018 Page 7