POLICY DEVELOPMENT OFFICER SDFA (CONFRONTING ANTI-BLACK RACISM)
Job ID: 54548
Job Category: Policy, Planning & Research
Division & Section: Social Development, Finance & Admin, SDF&A Confronting Anti-Black Racism
Work Location: City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto
Job Type & Duration: Full Time, Permanent Vacancy
Salary: $113,683.00 - $155,216.00
Shift Information: Monday to Friday, 35 hours per week
Affiliation: Non-Union
Number of Positions Open: 1
Posting Period: 02-June-2025 to 16-June-2025
Job Description:
Reporting to the Manager Confronting Anti-Black Racism, the Policy Development Officer will plan and lead city-wide policies, strategies, research, social data analytics, and action plans that promote and support equity, poverty reduction, and anti-racism that advance inclusive economic and social development and partnerships with community-based organizations.
Major Responsibilities:
- Develops and implements detailed plans and recommends policies regarding program specific requirements.
- Manages assigned projects, ensuring effective teamwork and communication, high standards of work quality and organizational performance and continuous learning.
- Conducts research into assigned area ensuring that such research takes into account developments within the field, corporate policies and practices, legislation and initiatives by other levels of government.
- Ensures that the project expenditures are controlled and maintained within approved budget limitations.
- Coordinates and writes reports to Toronto City Council on policy and program issues related to the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism
- Manages the research, writing and production of strategic social policy publications and reports on confronting anti-Black racism
- Coordinates strategic social policy development and planning activities involving other levels of government, other City divisions, community agencies, council advisory bodies, residents and other key stakeholders to meet identified regional, city-wide, divisional and community social and economic needs impacting Toronto's Black residents
- Investigates and integrates findings on social, economic and political environments into the formulation of policy and/or program recommendations to Council, senior management, and other levels of government, ensuring the interests of Council, corporate, divisional and Black community interests are considered in the recommendations
- Facilitates meaningful resident engagement processes to ensure that policy positions are rooted in the needs, experience and expertise of those Black Torontonians
- Evaluates broad social programs and policies and the impact of initiatives by other levels of government and community-based organizations on the provision of human services in Toronto
- Generates a range of options for programs and policies, assessing the implications and feasibility of these options and recommends viable solutions and implementation strategies
- Project manages Council-directed Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism initiatives, ensuring cross-divisional collaboration to meet project objectives
- Develops and applies appropriate conceptual and analytical frameworks in policy analysis and program development processes for confronting anti-Black racism in Toronto
- Represents the City, Deputy City Manager, and the Division at workshops and committees which have an impact on social development for Black Toronto residents
- Provides strategic advice and support and consults with elected officials, inter-municipal groups, other levels of government, senior management, stakeholders and Black community groups
- Fosters and maintains cooperative working relationships with elected officials, City staff, representatives of the human services system and other levels of government
Key Qualifications:
- Considerable experience in strategic policy development and planning, policy analysis and program evaluations in the human services area.
- Considerable experience working with Black community groups or Black residents in the formulation of social policy, analysis and/or research.
- Considerable project management experience, managing complex assignments from inception through to implementation with minimal direction while balancing political, community and other stakeholder interests, and resolving conflicts.
- Experience with the goals and strategies of Anti-Black Racism movements in Toronto including knowledge of its history.
- Experience working with elected officials and senior management within the public sector.
- Post-secondary degree in a related discipline i.e. Public Policy & Administration, Sociology, Political Science, etc. or the equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Exceptional conceptual ability and capacity to develop creative solutions to complex operating, policy and evaluating problems.
- A comprehensive understanding and knowledge of race and racism, anti-Black racism and their negative impacts on targeted Black people in Toronto
- Ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Flexibility in learning new program areas or analytical techniques.
- Ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines.
- An exceptional level of communication skills with a particular emphasis on writing ability.
- Sound interpersonal skills, cross-cultural awareness and understanding, combined with good judgement.
- General and current knowledge of legislation and programs relevant to the provision of human services in Toronto.
- Familiarity with government legislation in the area of Occupational Health and Safety.
- Ability to support the Toronto Public Service values to ensure a culture that champions equity, diversity and respectful workplaces.
- Knowledge of: precarious work and inclusive economic issues; human service system planning and integration; Black resident facing multiple barriers as a result of anti-Black racism; population and/or place-based social policy development; and/or issues of equity and systemic change is considered an asset.
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.