Privy Council Office
The Privy Council Office (PCO) is the hub of public service support to the Prime Minister and Cabinet and its decision-making structures. PCO helps to clearly articulate and implement the Government's policy agenda and to coordinate timely responses to issues facing the government and the country. It also works to maintain the highest professional and ethical standards in the federal Public Service.
The Deputy Minister's mandate covers:
- Policy advice and strategic planning related to national unity, the broad federal-provincial-territorial agenda, constitutional and legal issues, and fiscal federalism. These files require close collaboration with a number of departments, including Finance, Justice, Treasury Board, and several others;
- Liaison and advice on relations with the provinces and territories and the renewal of the federation;
- Communications and parliamentary affairs support on issues and initiatives with important federal-provincial-territorial dimensions.
DALHOUSIE UNIVERSITY CORPORATE RESIDENCY MBA
One Position in Operations Branch OR Strategic Policy and Research Branch
As part of his/her term the selected candidate would be fully engaged in the mandate of Intergovernmental Affairs through their support of other analysts in a variety of tasks associated with assigned files. Tasks would include:
- Monitoring, supporting, analyzing and preparing briefing materials for the Minister and senior management on selected current issues and initiatives brought forward to Cabinet and Cabinet Committees;
- Representing PCO Intergovernmental Affairs at Central Agency and interdepartmental meetings with respect to intergovernmental issues within their assigned portfolios.
- Representing PCO Intergovernmental Affairs at Deputy or Ministerial FPT meeting(s).
- Reviewing and providing comments on sensitive correspondence originating in other federal departments and being sent to provincial/territorial ministerial counterparts.
- Undertaking, as required, special projects that could include a series of short research projects on various topics.
Strategic Policy and Research Branch
As part of his/her term, the selected candidate would be expected to:
- Support the preparation of strategic policy analysis and advice to the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and PCO senior management;
- Contribute to the preparation of written reports, memoranda, position papers and correspondence to PCO senior management, the Clerk of the Privy Council and the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs;
- Identify and use statistics, data and information resources for use in conducting research; collect and collate information from Canadian, foreign, academic and private sector sources regarding critical policy issues and trends; and
- Summarize research and policy advice in a form suitable for making presentations.
Other details regarding the application process
Potential candidates would be required to submit a sample of written work.
The candidate selected must undergo a successful security background check in order to obtain Secret Security Clearance (a prerequisite for employment).
About the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat
Intergovernmental Affairs is part of the Privy Council Office. Led by a Deputy Minister, it supports the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and, through the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, it supports the Prime Minister and Cabinet, with respect to policy and communications in such areas as federal-provincial-territorial relations, the evolution of the federation and Canadian unity.
Intergovernmental Affairs provides analysis, advice, liaison and strategic planning services. It monitors policy files with important intergovernmental dimensions, assesses federal, provincial and territorial priorities, and works closely with federal departments and provincial and territorial governments. It also addresses constitutional and legal issues relating to the evolution of the federation and Canadian unity, and intergovernmental fiscal arrangements.
Roles and Functions of IGA's Two Branches
IGA Operations (Sectoral and Provincial Analysis)
This branch looks at issues from a province-by-province perspective, and nationally across sectors. Provincial Analysis Division liaises with provincial counterparts, provides provincial intelligence, briefings and support for meetings and correspondence between the Clerk of the Privy Council, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Prime Minister and their provincial and territorial counterparts.
Sectoral Analysis Division provides support for the Intergovernmental Affairs Minister at Cabinet and Cabinet committees and advises other departments on the intergovernmental dimensions of a wide array of policy matters (such as industry, health, social services, the environment, etc.) This division also supports sectoral meetings between federal-provincial-territorial ministers and officials.
Strategic Policy and Research (SP&R)
The Strategic Policy and Research Branch provides advice to the Clerk of the Privy Council Office, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Prime Minister on matters related to fiscal federalism, constitutional and legal issues, management of the federation, and national unity. It performs research on the evolution of federalism as well as regional public opinion and demographic trends across Canada. SP&R also establishes and sustains relationships with key experts and thinkers on federalism and other relevant issues.