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Focus Area Information - Policy Development

Policy Development in the Ontario Public Service

What does it mean to develop public policy in the Ontario Public Service (OPS)?

In the OPS, a public policy professional is accountable for providing impartial advice to the government regarding the development, implementation and evaluation of public policy. In order to fulfil this function, policy professionals engage in a range of activities, including research and analysis, policy development, stakeholder engagement, legislative and regulatory drafting, program design, and program evaluation.

Policy interns may participate in and support projects that contribute to a number of government priorities, such as:

  • Ensuring sustainable and quality standards of education/health/social service delivery
  • Protecting Ontario’s natural resources and the environment
  • Promoting provincial and international economic growth
  • Supporting strong public infrastructure development in partnership with Ontario’s communities
  • Developing positive and alternative approaches to our criminal justice system for a safe and secure Ontario.

Knowledge

  • Policy Development: knowledge of the formulation of public policy and the process of making important organizational decisions that could have future impacts or consequences throughout the implementation or operationalization stages
  • Policy Principles: knowledge of policy development theory and practices to be able to interpret and apply relevant legislation, regulations and government approval processes. Knowledge in policy research principles, methods and techniques to conduct research projects/studies, surveys, trends analyses, and environmental scans, and assess impacts of legislation/policies.
  • Policy Evaluation: knowledge of analysis/evaluation techniques to develop performance criteria to assess the effectiveness of new/changed policies and programs; and to develop recommendations for policy and program change.

Skills

  • Analytical: identify trends and relevant themes to support the development of user-focused and evidence-based policy
  • Collaboration: work with others across the organization to identify and solve a problem or achieve a common goal that is mutually beneficial
  • Communication: present information using traditional and/or digital media in a clear, concise and accurate manner through effective written, oral and visual communication
  • Client Focused: anticipate and identify client needs to respond and provide better services with a goal of maximizing client satisfaction. Customers and clients may include the public, colleagues, partners, and peers
  • Problem-Solving: recognize, understand and resolve a problem by breaking it apart into smaller pieces, and evaluating options and identifying alternative solutions. This also includes the ability to blend robust analysis with creativity to solve new and changing problems, as well as challenging the status quo where appropriate
  • Relationship Management: build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, partners and colleagues while demonstrating respect, ethics and extending trust in order to achieve organizational goals
  • Research: use appropriate research tools and analytical methodologies to identify and analyze credible sources of information for the purposes of making evidence-based policy recommendations
  • Planning and Coordinating: prioritize tasks and, manage competing priorities to effectively manage time in order to meet deadlines.

What to Expect

As a policy intern, your work may include activities that enable you to:

  • Gain knowledge of the government decision-making process and understand the role of policy development processes towards achieving government’s key priorities
  • Understand and participate in policy and planning development projects by researching, analysing and assisting with the preparation of options and proposals, consulting on approaches, assessing the impact on stakeholders and assisting with communication and implementation plans
  • Conduct research and environmental scans to remain apprised of issues/developments in other ministries and jurisdictions with potential impact on the work of the section/branch/division/ministry, and preparing briefs/briefings for senior advisor/manager.

Looking Ahead

This is just the beginning of your career in the Ontario Public Service (OPS). An internship is an opportunity to learn and develop your policy development skills in the public service. It is intended to prepare and develop you for various roles in the OPS. An internship in this area can prepare you for a career as a:

  • Policy/Program/Project Advisor
  • Policy/Program/Project Analyst
  • Policy/Program/Project Consultant

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