Senior Specialist, Public Policy and Research

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Position Purpose

As a key position in the Office of Public Policy Research and Outreach (OPPRO), the Senior Specialist, Public Policy and Research will support the Director in initiatives and partnership-building, internally and externally, to support the development of evidence-based public policy in Canada and advance initiatives within the framework of the Alex Trebek Forum for Dialogue. They will integrate critical perspectives about the future of policies related to the University of Ottawa’s strategic areas of research and help develop innovative research and training initiatives to increase research impacts on public policy. Working closely with researchers and external partners from government, industry and civil society, the candidate will work with others to advance the goals of a) promoting the University of Ottawa among senior thought leaders, policymakers and influencers of the federal and provincial departments on broad public policy issues; b) achieving tangible, evidence-based improvements to Canadian policy; and, c) unlocking new Canadian-orientated research and funding opportunities.

Specific Accountabilities

Policy analysis and intelligence

• Provide analysis on Canadian policy development issues of relevance to uOttawa researchers and support them in producing policy related, evidence-based material for government officials and the public. 
• Responsible to keep OVPRI staff and scholars regularly and continually informed about Canadian government positions and priorities on relevant issues including facilitating physical or virtual meetings as needed.
• Advance OPPRO objectives in providing guidance to university administrators and researchers on issues relating to public policy or legislation of significance to OVPRI or other uOttawa priority areas.
• Prepare and present written and verbal analysis and advice that support uOttawa goals of advancing evidence-based public policy in Canada.

Enhance uOttawa research activities and dialogue relating to public policy

• Advise on advancing OPPRO strategic objectives including through coordination and support of initiatives and events that enhance and showcase uOttawa policy-related research.
• Collaborate with uOttawa research centres and institutes, as well as individual or groups of researchers, to develop capacity for effective and influential relationships and engagement with policy makers and associated partners.
• Help to identify and leverage opportunities for OVPRI to influence policy debates and outcomes.

Policy Outreach and engagement

• Develop and nurture productive working relationships with key relevant offices, officials, and staff members at all levels of government and in the wider circle of policy influencers.
• Enhance uOttawa researcher engagement with key Canadian officials and staff and the policy community in Canada, including by supporting researcher participation in public meetings and forums.
• Collaborate within the OPPRO to support positive exposure and knowledge mobilization activities relating to uOttawa research including speaker events, panels, conferences, workshops and other events for academic, government and public audiences.

Knowledge, Experience and Skills

• Master’s Degree in public policy studies, or in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Seven years experience in areas relating to public policy including policy networking and building internal and external partnerships to support the strategic priorities of a large institution.
• A knowledge of government structures, operations and policy-making processes.
• Excellent bilingual oral and written communications skills
• Knowledge of project management practices.
• Knowledge of a university multi-disciplinary research environment.
• Experience implementing strategic plans in multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral contexts.
• A detailed knowledge of software including Microsoft office, e-mail, and contact management.

Key Competencies at uOttawa:
Here are the required competencies for all or our employees at uOttawa: 
Planning: Organize in time a series of actions or events in order to realize an objective or a project. Plan and organize own work and priorities in regular daily activities.
Initiative: Demonstrate creativity and initiative to suggest improvements and encourage positive results. Is proactive and self-starting. Show availability and willingness to go above and beyond whenever it is possible.
Client Service Orientation: Help or serve others to meet their needs. This implies anticipating and identifying the needs of internal and external clients and finding solutions on how to meet them.
Teamwork and Cooperation: Cooperate and work well with other members of the team to reach common goal(s). Accept and give constructive feedback. Able to adjust own behaviour to reach the goals of the team.
The University of Ottawa embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research and teaching excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The University is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The University is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes. Applicants with disabilities may contact [email protected] to communicate the accommodation need. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
Note: if this is a union position: The hiring process will be governed by the current collective agreement related to the union affiliation noted above; you can click here to find out more.
If this is a front-line position with responsibilities to interact with students, selected candidates must be rated at the Low Advanced proficiency level or higher for both oral comprehension and reading comprehension in their second official language. The rating is determined by a proficiency test designed by the Official Languages and Bilingualism Institute.

Prior to May 1, 2022, the University required all students, faculty, staff, and visitors (including contractors) to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 as defined in Policy 129 – Covid-19 Vaccination. This policy was suspended effective May 1, 2022 but may be reinstated at any point in the future depending on public health guidelines and the recommendations of experts.