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One finding was that generic competencies and skills are needed to
diagnose broad policy issues, see the interconnections, and anticipate future
research needs.
To address this issue, a competency profile has been developed for policy
analysts, based on research and consultation. This profile includes 6 broad
types of competencies: Knowledge, Organizational, Technical / Operational,
Intellectual, Relationship and Personal. These competencies frequently
emphasize the ability to think and act with a horizontal point of view.
For example, for the job of a policy specialist, one might add in-depth
knowledge and technical expertise in a particular field. For the job of a
policy manager, one would add leadership and management skills.
Policy analysts are change agents with an eye on the medium and long term
as well as the short term. They help to conceptualize, design, implement
and assess policy, program and legislative changes. They help Ministers to
align policy change with the evolving roles of government at all levels, and
to use governance tools to achieve policy goals.
Policy analysts are knowledge brokers who serve and advise Ministers and
Deputies at all stages of the policy development process. They operate with
enormous sensitivity to the political process. They respect the collective
and individual responsibilities of Ministers and Cabinet. As intellectual
interlocutors between the public service and the political level, and often
with the public at large, the quality of their work reflects on the integrity of the
entire public service. They serve the government objectively, professionally
and neutrally to help it achieve its policy goals. They are also custodians
with a view to maintaining long-term sevice transcending the short-term view
of the government of the day.
The ideal policy analyst has mastered the tools of the trade, has experience
in diverse policy fields, and brings to bear superior judgement, analysis and
integrative skills to ensure that past, present and future considerations are
available to Ministers to assess their policy options. Policy analysts bring
ideas, wisdom and insight to issues. They create intellectual frameworks
that enable discussion of issues by a wide range of constituencies, and they
advise and often assist Ministers in interacting with these constituencies.
They draw together knowledge from within and outside of government in a
sensitive, collaborative fashion, and are acutely aware of the broadest
context within which policy develops. They act as both team players and
diplomats in working with communities of shared interest within and outside
of government. The public interest is always an important consideration in
their work.
Knowledge
‚ is familiar with the legal framework (e.g. Constitution, Acts and
Regulations), political and government priorities (e.g. jobs, youth,
social programs, fiscal challenges, regional concerns and international
trade) and other issues of interest to society
‚ can set suitable priorities and deadlines for projects, and either adhere
to them or adapt as necessary
‚ can balance the quality and timeliness of outputs for multiple projects
or files
‚ can ensure that an entire policy change agenda is moved forward from
conception to implementation to evaluation
Intellectual Competencies
Cognitive Capacity
‚ is a clear thinker who can distill complexity into simple terms and go
from the abstract (conceptualization) to the practical (implementation)
Creativity
Interpersonal Relations
‚ draws together knowledge from both within and outside of the Public
Service in a professional, collaborative fashion, showing openness to
other points of view and new information
Communication
Self-Improvement