Annex 5:

Generic Policy Analyst Draft Competency Profile

Introduction

In the context of concern with improving the policy capacity of the federalgovernment, considerable work has been done to identify problems andpropose solutions.

One finding was that generic competencies and skills are needed todiagnose broad policy issues, see the interconnections, and anticipate futureresearch needs.

To address this issue, a competency profile has been developed for policyanalysts, based on research and consultation. This profile includes 6 broadtypes of competencies: Knowledge, Organizational, Technical / Operational,Intellectual, Relationship and Personal. These competencies frequentlyemphasize the ability to think and act with a horizontal point of view.

This profile is intended for use as the cornerstone of an integrated HumanResource Management system (covering selection, training, careercounselling, etc.) for policy analysts across the Public Service. It can beadapted by individual departments for the particular kinds of policy jobs thatexist there. Different working levels and types of work will affect theknowledge, skills and abilities required.

For example, for the job of a policy specialist, one might add in-depthknowledge and technical expertise in a particular field. For the job of apolicy manager, one would add leadership and management skills.

The attached profile has been developed in an inspirational, visionary,forward-looking style. It is intended as a description of the "ideal" policyanalyst - a model - something to strive for. It is not intended as abenchmark for one individual. It may be considered in terms of a completepolicy group where the competencies of the policy analysts working togethershould meet or exceed this profile.

Summary

Policy analysts are change agents with an eye on the medium and long termas well as the short term. They help to conceptualize, design, implementand assess policy, program and legislative changes. They help Ministers toalign policy change with the evolving roles of government at all levels, andto use governance tools to achieve policy goals.

Policy analysts are knowledge brokers who serve and advise Ministers andDeputies at all stages of the policy development process. They operate withenormous sensitivity to the political process. They respect the collectiveand individual responsibilities of Ministers and Cabinet. As intellectualinterlocutors between the public service and the political level, and oftenwith the public at large, the quality of their work reflects on the integrity of theentire public service. They serve the government objectively, professionallyand neutrally to help it achieve its policy goals. They are also custodianswith a view to maintaining long-term sevice transcending the short-term viewof the government of the day.

The ideal policy analyst has mastered the tools of the trade, has experiencein diverse policy fields, and brings to bear superior judgement, analysis andintegrative skills to ensure that past, present and future considerations areavailable to Ministers to assess their policy options. Policy analysts bringideas, wisdom and insight to issues. They create intellectual frameworksthat enable discussion of issues by a wide range of constituencies, and theyadvise and often assist Ministers in interacting with these constituencies. They draw together knowledge from within and outside of government in asensitive, collaborative fashion, and are acutely aware of the broadestcontext within which policy develops. They act as both team players anddiplomats in working with communities of shared interest within and outsideof government. The public interest is always an important consideration intheir work.

Knowledge

‚ is familiar with the legal framework (e.g. Constitution, Acts andRegulations), political and government priorities (e.g. jobs, youth,social programs, fiscal challenges, regional concerns and internationaltrade) and other issues of interest to society

‚ appreciates the collective and individual responsibilities of seniormanagement (Ministers, Deputy Ministers and Assistant DeputyMinisters) and Cabinet

‚ knows the structure, processes and key players of the government,the Public Service and one's own department

‚ understands the components of the policy-making process and theinter-relationship across central agencies, the federal government andother levels of government

‚ is aware of the links with external components such as federal-provincial organizations, key stakeholders and interest groups

‚ realizes the impact of policy on the operations of one's owndepartment, as well as other departments and organizations

‚ knows how to develop policy and when to move an agenda forward,taking into account environmental and political factors

‚ is up to date on research in one's field

Organizational Competencies

‚ can set suitable priorities and deadlines for projects, and either adhereto them or adapt as necessary

‚ can judge best information to obtain and provide within requireddeadlines

‚ can balance the quality and timeliness of outputs for multiple projectsor files

‚ can ensure that an entire policy change agenda is moved forward fromconception to implementation to evaluation

Technical / Operational Competencies

‚ knows when and how to use appropriate research tools and analyticalmethodologies (e.g. theoretical and applied research, statistics,modelling, environmental scanning, trend analysis, forecasting)

‚ keeps up to date with technological changes and their impact onfuture opportunities and challenges

Intellectual Competencies

Cognitive Capacity

‚ has an agile, disciplined intellect enriched by relevant educationand/or experience

‚ is a clear thinker who can distill complexity into simple terms and gofrom the abstract (conceptualization) to the practical (implementation)

‚ is able to think in a broad, strategic manner: in the short, medium andlong term; vertically, horizontally, globally, cross-sectorally andmultidisciplinarily; about local, regional, national and internationalissues

‚ has exceptional integrative, synthesizing and analytical skills

‚ exercises strong judgement in weighing and balancing competinginterests, views and information

‚ interprets information and intelligence from a wide range of sources;sees inter-connections and identifies links

‚ has vision and clear-sightedness in discerning options, trends,problems, symptoms, causes and effects

‚ is flexible and able to switch mental gears quickly Creativity

‚ is a creative thinker with enormous curiousity and imagination

‚ responds to challenges with innovative yet practical solutions

‚ systematically tests new ideas against old knowledge and re-examines issues

Relationship Competencies

Interpersonal Relations

‚ can work well both independently and as a team player

‚ builds and maintains good working relationships with persons bothwithin and outside of the Public Service

‚ draws together knowledge from both within and outside of the PublicService in a professional, collaborative fashion, showing openness toother points of view and new information

‚ shares information appropriately with interested parties both withinand outside of the Public Service

‚ is diplomatic, empathetic, tolerant and patient

‚ uses consultation, in combination with knowledge and ideas, to lead tosolutions (ideally but not necessarily reaching consensus)

‚ builds and maintains a network of contacts in both internal andexternal policy communities (e.g. colleagues, stakeholders, academe,interest groups)

Communication

‚ is able to understand different audiences and adapt communicationstyles and media accordingly

‚ has excellent writing skills, from drafting to producing final products

‚ is able to communicate well orally and is an active listener

Personal Competencies

Stamina / Stress Resistance

‚ strives for a balanced lifestyle so as to fulfill responsibilities withenergy and enthusiasm

‚ copes well with ambiguity, uncertainty, change, chaos and tightdeadlines

‚ paces oneself well, recognizing demands of peak periods in policyfiles

Ethics and Values

‚ shows objectivity, professionalism, integrity and honesty in dealingwith people at all levels

‚ shows commitment to the government agenda, such as being able toexplain policy options and decisions

Self-Improvement

‚ is pro-active in seeking opportunities to recharge intellectual batteriesand ensure continuous learning, both on the job and through formaltraining programs