JOB TITLE: Strategic Policy Advisor JOB STATUS: Regular Full-time DEPARTMENT: Integrated Services CLASSIFICATION: Consultant REPORTS TO: Director of Programs SALARY: $61,939.91 - $70,823.84 JOB SUMMARY: Closing KEY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Reporting to the Director of Programs, the Strategic Policy Advisor (the Advisor) is a vital position to support and advance Aboriginal child welfare practice in all of VACFSS Program areas: Child Protection & Collaborative Practices, Resources, Guardianship, Family Preservation & Integrated Services. The Advisor will be responsible for providing critical analysis of new and existing policies, developing policy procedures, and directives in the context of evidence based best practices with Aboriginal children, youth and families. The Advisor will conduct comprehensive research and literature reviews on current innovative successful practices to support policy and procedural amendments to improve service. Accordingly, the Advisor will write, revise, amend, and implement Agency policies to reflect a restorative approach to Aboriginal child welfare practice within the parameters of Provincial standards. The Advisor will inform and train staff on policy and practice changes. The Advisor will develop and present corporate level strategies and reports; draft and communicate strategic planning priorities; develop, support or lead practice related research projects, and will support implementation activities. The Advisor will provide policy advice to the Agency s CEO, Directors and Managers. In conducting their duties the Advisor will liaise and work collaboratively with all Agency staff, and with government and community partners, including MCFD. UNION POSITION: YES or Open until filled please check one! NO Research: Conducts research into organizational practice, policies and procedures as well as other areas affecting program function and performance. Develops, implements, supports and/or conducts research projects in all VACFSS program areas to improve practice and service delivery. Identify sources of information that will be of assistance in the development and implementation of case management plans and the preparation of reports Applies Aboriginal child welfare best practices to research approach and methodology. Uses statistical methods and qualitative assessment methodologies to analyze and compare current data, trends and best practices. Researches and prepares briefing notes, background materials, and reports on a variety of best practice issues. Identifies and investigates data quality issues and recommends changes to data collection, retrieval, and reporting to improve data quality. Supports Agency strategic initiatives or priorities through best practice research and project work. Under the direction of the Director of Programs leads, develops, and initiates research and analysis regarding agency planning in relation to program areas and innovative best practice development. Researches emerging and successful practices, makes recommendations, and develops/implements strategies to improve service delivery and practice. Page 1 of 5
Policy and Procedure Development and Writing: Develops, writes and amends Agency policy and procedures within an Aboriginal practice framework. Ensures that policies and procedures are consistent with relevant legislation and that they adhere to Director s and AOPSI standards. Analyzes and documents the impact of provincial policy and procedures and makes recommendations for changes or improvements to the Director of Programs and/or CEO. Incorporates program policy and procedures into Agency policy and procedures manuals, including online forms.look for independent housing and arrange for services such as hydro hookups Problem Solving: Analyzes and solves problems utilizing a systems approach to problem solving as it relates to program areas: Child Protection & Collaborative Practices, Guardianship, Family Preservation & Integrated Services, and Guardianship. Demonstrates a mature, inclusive approach to problem solving and has a thorough knowledge and understanding of practice in all program areas. Complete inventory of child s possessions. Advising: Provides measured and strategic policy advice, counsel, and briefings to the Director of Programs, the CEO and senior management on a variety of practice and service delivery related matters. Provides timely information and advice on risks, options, recommended solutions/responses, and impacts of contentious and/or high profile policy and legislative issues that may adversely impact service delivery. Provides analytical advice on research and recommendations to managers. Reviews other jurisdictions for innovative best practice options, and provides an opinion as to the viability of these options for implementation in the Agency. Serves as an expert resource advisor by developing data instruments, surveys, focus group interview guides, and other research instruments for use in research and program evaluation. Provides input to evaluation plans, strategies, research methodologies, sampling techniques, questionnaire design, data analysis, and performance indicators for programs and projects. Provides expert advice on appropriate frameworks for developing and streamlining Agency business systems, processes, and program services. Carries out duties with discretion and upholds the privacy and confidentiality of Agency information. Prepares quarterly reports from MARS and other ministry data sources for review by the CEO and Director of Programs for use in comparative analysis between VACFSS outcomes and statistical data and MCFD and other Aboriginal child and family service agencies. Arrange for transportation on repatriations at direction of Social Worker. Program and Project Support: Works with the Director of Programs and Program Managers to ensure that programs provide services that are consistent with Agency, MCFD and AOPSI policies, procedures and standards. Assists program and or project leadership staff in the preparation of practical, workable plans to ensure effective implementation of program or project plans and goals. Provides guidance and support on requested specific best practice topics on an as-needed basis. Consults with appropriate stakeholders, functional specialists, team leaders, and managers before/during project initiation and implementation. Provides leadership, program development, and process expertise and coordination for Agency-wide initiatives and projects, provides advice on development of projects, plans, and strategic initiatives involving several program areas, or governmental and nongovernmental agencies. Assists with the design, development, and implementation of new practice tools, techniques, approaches, and methods to advance Aboriginal child welfare practice in the Agency. Page 2 of 5
Training: Provides training to staff in a number of areas including compliance to Agency standards and policies, legislative standards, AOPSI, outcomes, assessments, file recording and goal statements. Provides this training within a framework of Aboriginal knowledge and practice. Develops the capacity of staff and the Agency to implement evidence-based best practice in relation to assessment, investigation, remediation, and intervention in all program areas Reports out on best practice development through presentations internally to Agency staff and management, as well as externally to community partners. Develops and delivers training modules on new and existing policy and procedures to Agency staff. Prepares summaries and briefings on policy and procedural changes and communicates these to Agency staff. Report Writing: Prepares formal and informal reports for the Director of Programs and CEO on a regular basis. Drafts and presents corporate level strategies and reports; develops and communicates Agency business planning priorities, and supports implementation activities. Liaison Work: Works within and outside the Agency to promote an inclusive, informed, and collaborative approach to policy development, research activities, and service delivery. Develops process for stakeholder and public involvement; plan, coordinate, lead, or participate in stakeholder consultations involving defining Agency or government policies/priorities, investigation of stakeholder preferences, and analysis of stakeholder/agency interests. Support and /or lead cross-program working groups involved in project work. Utilizes an integrated quality assurance framework to ensure continuous quality improvement in best practice development and implementation in the Agency. Promote, educate, and champion the successful use of research and evaluation frameworks in the Agency to achieve better outcomes for children and families in all program areas. Promote awareness and understanding in the Agency of the necessity for informed, measurable, evidence-based social work practice solidly based on current Aboriginal child welfare best practice. Liaises with universities, colleges, Delegated Aboriginal Agencies, MCFD, and other organizations to initiate and maintain information exchange and collaboration. Data and Information Management: Accesses, extracts, inputs, analyzes and interprets data from major information systems, data warehouses, program specific data sources and other external sources in MCFD. Collates information from the Ministry Information systems and Resource and Payment System to provide statistical reports for analysis, program planning and contract negotiation with MCFD. Conducts duties within the parameters of the Access to Information Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, and the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act. Page 3 of 5
QUALIFICATIONS Required Experience: Minimum of 5 years in the area of Child Welfare including experience in the areas of Child Protection & Collaborative Practices, Guardianship, Resources, Family Preservation & Integrated Services. 1 year experience writing, coordinating production of, and maintaining policy and procedures manuals. Education: MSW. with specialization in one or more of the following areas: child welfare, critical analysis, applied research. May consider, BSW with M.A in related field with specialization in child welfare. Training: Extremely proficient in the use of computer applications and standard office equipment to generate, access, and disseminate information. Highly competent in the use of Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software and applications such as SPSS, NVivo, ATLAS.ti, & MS Excel. Proficient with Microsoft Office programs including Outlook, Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access. Licences, Certificates, etc: Criminal Record Check Valid BC Driver s Licence Requires C-6 Delegation Other: Experience working in Aboriginal Child Welfare including front line child protection work. Ability to bridge the gap between the two areas where practice needs to be redefined. Strong knowledge of the impact of colonialism on Canada s Aboriginal people. Ability to develop policies that incorporate cultural knowledge. Understands case management approaches used in the Agency. Knowledge in all child welfare service areas. Demonstrated research ability and understanding in the areas of Child Protection & Collaborative Practices, Guardianship, Resources, Family Preservation & Integrated Services. Experience in adult education/training. Curriculum development and policy writing. Protects the privacy and confidentiality of information obtained in conducting duties. Page 4 of 5
Preferred Experience: 10 years experience in the area of Child Welfare including experience in the areas of Child Protection & Collaborative Practices, Resources, Guardianship, Family Preservation & Integrated Services. 1 year experience writing, coordinating production of, and maintaining policy and procedures manuals. Education: A Masters of Social Work, with specialization in child welfare, critical analysis and applied research. Other: Has experience working in mainstream and Aboriginal Child Welfare. Ability to bridge the gap between the two areas where practice needs to be redefined. Aboriginal Ancestry. Job Skills and Abilities: Coaching Aboriginal Cultural Expression Client Focus Resource Management Leadership Problem Solving & Decision Making APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested applicants may apply by clicking here or on the Apply Now Online link on our Employment Opportunities webpage. Please complete the form and attach your cover letter and resume. We thank all candidates for their interest; however only those selected for an interview will be contacted. Applications will only be accepted from qualified Aboriginal candidates per Section 41 of the Human Rights Code. Page 5 of 5