Careers

As a Senior Policy Advisor on our team, you will be responsible for providing senior level advice and expertise in policy development, helping to develop, research and analyze policy, specifically modernizing the provincial procurement and supply chain policy landscape.  Working directly with the Ministry of Public and Business Services Delivery and Procurement, and other entities the successful candidate will lead the development and advancement of the Agency’s policy interests and lead procurement modernization and innovation on behalf of Supply Ontario. 

In this role, your key responsibilities will include:

• Leads the development of policy, research, legislative and operational frameworks to foster supply chain innovation and modernize procurement in Ontario.
• Builds consensus on policy and program development with other ministries and sector stakeholders.
• Leads, plans and coordinates research and analysis to assess approaches for policy reform, including regulatory and legislative changes, and to develop provincial policies and operational frameworks considering social, economic and political aspects and modern trends.
• Builds and maintains highly productive and collaborative relationships, working with a high degree of independence, with stakeholders, ministries and colleagues.
• Functions as the primary point of contact with the oversight ministry for liaison and relationship management purposes.
• Provides senior level advisory services as a functional specialist responsible for leading planning, policies, programs, or services, managing relationships and providing technical consulting advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Assesses the effectiveness of stakeholder-led policy frameworks in relation to Supply Ontario’s mandate and leads the coordination and development of the Agency’s strategic policy positions.
• Exercises a high degree of independence and decision-making ability to ensure end to end delivery of complex policy planning and development or program design and implementation, and effective management of contentious issues.
• Leads the decision-making within the policy development cycle, guiding delivery of key policy priorities, assessing risk, and managing financial and program impacts for the Agency.
• Develops in-depth reports and analysis and presents options and recommendations to senior management for decision making purposes.
• Maintains current knowledge of provincial, national, and international procurement policy and legislation issues and trends; develops recommendations to address issues in relation to the broader agenda of Supply Ontario.
• Identifies risks and corresponding mitigating strategies for consideration by senior management.
• Makes decisions on appropriate roles/involvement of a variety of stakeholders to ensure effective and appropriate collaboration throughout policy development and implementation.
• Provides project and technical leadership through all phases of assigned projects including determining project scope, timeframes, milestones and deliverables, planning, recommending staff resources, coordinating, and guiding project team members.
• Provides expertise to the development and implementation of performance measures.
• Supports Supply Ontario’s customer service standards, enabling client success and business improvement/continuous improvement activities.
• Provides leadership, guidance, advice and mentoring. May act as technical team lead overseeing project and/or program delivery by a small team.

Successful candidates will demonstrate the following:

Education and Experience

• Degree in government administration, political science, business administration, or related fields.
• Minimum 6 years of experience in policy development.
• Experience in a start-up environment is an asset. 
• Experience using project management tools is an asset.

Knowledge and Skills

• Extensive knowledge of government organizational structures, policy and program development and implementation principles/techniques and decision-making processes, including the development of legislation and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of government and broader public sector directives and guidelines relating to the development of operational policy and programs, which support the Agency’s procurement modernization and innovation strategy.
• Knowledge of the Ontario Public Service and Broader Public Service Procurement Directives, understanding of some of the issues and barriers in supply chain procurement and understanding of procurement contracts beneficial in this role.
• Knowledge of Supply Ontario’s mandate/strategic directions, priorities, related legislative, regulatory and policy frameworks.
• Ability to assess the impact of policy changes, new proposals and program transformation on policies and programs.
• Advisory and leadership skills to provide policy expertise in support of the Agency’s strategic policy directions and development of legislation, regulations, governance frameworks, and related operational policies; to lead/participate on inter-jurisdictional working groups engaged in collaborative policy development, consultations, and issues resolution.
• Ability to lead end-to-end design and implementation of new programs in support of the Agency’s procurement modernization and innovation strategy.
• Interpersonal, influencing and negotiation skills to gain support for Agency policy and program initiatives regarding the implementation of procurement/supply chain management legislation, regulations, and related operational policies from other ministries and the consumer and business stakeholder groups, to identify and mitigate risks, to develop and mediate a complex range of implementation parameters, and to negotiate the resolution of conflicting viewpoints and policy implementation concerns.
• Relationship building and consensus building skills to develop and maintain an effective liaison relationship with the ministry.
• High levels of political acuity to lead and coordinate outreach with the ministry regarding governance and policy issues, and to address and resolve where feasible substantially differing viewpoints and positions, as well as to ensure that proposed options/recommendations are consistent with Agency directions, and that they would be favorably received by senior management and the Board.
• Strong problem-solving skills to help identify and creatively solve long-standing challenges in the provincial procurement and supply chain space.
• Knowledge of research and analytical techniques.
• Project management skills.
• Ability to define issues, identify implications, and develop appropriate recommendations.
• Use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different available options.
• Capable of summarizing and synthesizing complex material.
• Weigh the relative risks, costs, and benefits of a potential action.
• Communications and dissemination techniques including alternative ways to inform others via written, verbal, and visual media.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Teams) and other internal applications, as required.

Supply Ontario offers a competitive compensation package including benefits and defined benefit pension plan.

The selected candidate will be required to reside and work in Ontario and be legally eligible to work in Canada.  

Candidates are required to provide references and complete a criminal background check. Details will be provided through the application process. 

This job offers the opportunity to work from home as part of a hybrid work arrangement; at the time of posting, this position would require in-office presence 3 days per week, based on current operational requirements. 

HOW TO APPLY

To apply, please click on the following APPLY NOW by February 21, 2025.   

We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.   

Supply Ontario endeavors to promote the principles of diversity and inclusion in all of our policies, practices, and the way we do business while ensuring compliance to the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Ontario Human Rights Code.   

We are committed to building a team that reflects the communities we serve, and to promoting a diverse, inclusive, accessible, respectful, and equitable workplace.  

We invite applications from all interested and qualified individuals, from all backgrounds, and walks of life. Your experiences are valuable, and we’re excited to learn how you might be able to lend your skills to further Supply Ontario’s mission and achieving its vision.  

At Supply Ontario, we recognize and value the exceptional skills, dedication, and diverse perspectives that veterans bring to the workforce. We strongly encourage veterans to apply to join our team. 

We are committed to providing employment practices and accommodation that are in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act and the Human Rights Code. If you require accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process including in relation to the materials and processes to be used, please notify Human Resources at Talent Acquisition (CSCO) [email protected].   

If you request accommodation, Human Resources will consult with you to provide or arrange for suitable accommodation in manner that takes into account your accommodation needs.