POLICY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER (COMMUNITY BENEFITS) SDFA

Job ID: 45381

Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research

Division & Section: Social Development, Finance & Admin, SDF&A Social Policy Analysis & Research

Work Location: 100 Queen St W. (Hybrid)

Job Type & Duration: Full-time, Permanent Vacancy

Salary: $112,000.00 - $ 144,200.00, Wage Grade 7.5

Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week

Affiliation: Non-Union.

Number of Positions Open: 1

Posting Period: 23-April-2024 to 07-May-2024

Job Summary

The City of Toronto's Social Development, Finance & Administration Division drives transformative change to achieve stronger, safer and more resilient communities and neighbourhoods in Toronto. The Division leads the City of Toronto's equity and inclusion, poverty reduction, community benefits, and community safety strategies.

The Policy Development Officer (Community Benefits) will report to the Manager of the Community Benefits Unit in the Social Policy, Analysis and Research (SPAR) section. SPAR’s mandate is to advance positive social impact through the development and stewardship of equity-based policies and approaches, ethical data collection and analysis, and strategic leadership in divisional planning and story telling.

Launched in 2022, the Community Benefits Unit (CBU) is the first of its kind in any Canadian municipality. The CBU aims to advance equity-focused community benefits policy and practice that create inclusive economic development and social impact when the City of Toronto and its partners buy and build. The CBU provides guidance and consulting to City Councillors, City divisions, and agencies to leverage equity-focused community benefits opportunities using City of Toronto policy tools. The CBU leads implementation of the City’s Community Benefits Framework and the ground breaking Rexdale – Casino Woodbine Community Benefits Agreement.

The Community Benefits team requires a Policy Development Officer candidate with strong strategic, analytical and political acuity skills to lead complex inter-divisional, multi-partner projects. Demonstrated experience in designing program evaluation projects that measure social and equity outcomes and impacts is critical. Additionally, the candidate must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, in order to contribute to the development of reports to Committees and City Council. 

Major Responsibilities:

• Leads and coordinates strategic policy analysis and research, and policy and program development to advance City of Toronto equity initiatives as directed by Toronto City Council.
• Leads and coordinates the strategic planning, development, writing and production of reports to Toronto City Council and other community benefits publications.
• Facilitates engagement, consultation and collaboration with a diverse range of City partners, community partners and key stakeholders to ensure policy and program approaches are accountable, and rooted in the needs, experience and expertise of those most impacted.
• Provides strategic advice, analysis and consultation to staff and senior management in City divisions and agencies, and community partners, to support the achievement of shared goals.
• Conducts reviews of programs, policies and initiatives of other orders of government to achieve critical analysis of their impact on City priorities and develops appropriate policy options and recommendations.
• Contributes to a highly collaborative and collegial work environment that fosters effective teamwork, high quality work and innovation.
• Supervises staff, consultants, and project teams to research, prepare, and monitor implementation of recommendations and manages budgets, requests for proposals and service contracts related to projects.
• Manages, motivates, and trains unit staff ensuring effective teamwork, high standards of work quality and organizational performance, continuous learning and encourages innovation in others.

Key Qualifications:

1. Post-secondary education in Social Sciences, Public Policy & Administration, Political Science or the suitable equivalent combination of education and experience.
2. Considerable experience in leading complex program evaluation projects, developing data collection tools including surveys, interview guides, and online forms, producing key finding reports.
3. Considerable policy development experience, managing complex projects, leading strategic and analytical thinking from inception through to implementation, while balancing political acuity, community and external partners’ interests, while handling issues as they arise.
4. Considerable experience managing relationships with community partners, private sector partners, and a diverse range of other community and external groups that often have conflicting interests.
5. Experience with community benefits research and policy analysis, combined with a strong understanding of the current context of key issues, challenges, and relevant key stakeholder groups.
6. An excellent understanding of colonization, anti-Black racism, and other forms of oppression and injustice
7. Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
8. Excellent communication skills both written and verbal with the ability to listen and manage information coming from Senior Leadership, Counsellors, Co-workers and the Public on a daily basis.
9. Knowledge of legislation, programs, and stakeholders relevant to the advancement of City priorities related to equity, reconciliation and inclusion.
10. Lived experience as a First Nations, Inuit, or Metis person, or as a member of a Black or other equity-deserving community would be an asset.

Note To Current City of Toronto Employees 

City of Toronto employees are eligible to apply for the posted job opportunity, but cannot hold two different jobs. To be considered for this job posting, you must indicate that you are a "Current City of Toronto employee" on the on-line application form, and provide your "Employee Number".

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

The City is an equal opportunity employer, dedicated to creating a workplace culture of inclusiveness that reflects the diverse residents that we serve. Learn more about the City’s commitment to employment equity.

Accommodation

The City of Toronto is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. We are committed to providing barrier-free and accessible employment practices in compliance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Should you require Code-protected accommodation through any stage of the recruitment process, please make them known when contacted and we will work with you to meet your needs. Disability-related accommodation during the application process is available upon request. Learn more about the City’s Hiring Policies and Accommodation Process.