Manager of Data, Research and Risk Assessment

About Us

Nova Scotia Environment and Climate Change’s role is to protect the environment, human health and farm animal through regulatory excellence, conservation, partnership, and promotion. To achieve this, we strive to develop legislation, regulations and policies, process notifications, applications, and approvals for regulated activities based on sound scientific knowledge and expertise.

Our goal is to educate, inspect and enforce to ensure compliance with legislation and regulations. We proactively respond to environmental, conservation, farm animal welfare, and human health risks and work to develop programs and deliver services to enhance protection in these areas.

Nova Scotia Environment - Department

This position is based in our Climate Change Division with our Climate Change Adaptation team. The adaptation team works to prepare departments and Nova Scotians for the impacts of climate change. We work to ensure decision makers have access to the best available information to guide decision making and we employ effective strategies that result in real and measurable progress on the ground.

About Our Opportunity

As the Manager of Data, Research and Risk Assessment, you will be responsible for leading your team in the production of robust, locally relevant and publicly accessible information on climate projections, climate risks and adaptive capacity. This information will be used by provincial departments, communities and non-governmental organizations to establish climate change adaptation priorities, risk-management plans and capacity-building strategies at the provincial, sectoral and local level. You will work creatively with partners to effectively move research into action; advancing knowledge mobilization in a way that genuinely translates into proactive action on the ground. You will lead public engagement efforts on the soon to be released provincial climate change risk assessment and will form multi-stakeholder teams to tackle high-priority risks. You will develop and grow relationships with many diverse communities and collaborate at the provincial, regional, national, and international level, focusing on shared objectives while representing the province.

Primary Accountabilities

In this role, you will create an environment that promotes continuous learning and improvement by seeking feedback from your team and colleagues and being open to critiques that improve outcomes. Within this ever-evolving field, you will lead through change and be willing to adjust quickly, as needed. This work requires innovative approaches to capacity building, community engagement, education and information sharing to ensure that engagement is inclusive and information trusted.

As the Manager, you will provide direction and leadership to the data, research and assessment team who will be directly conducting needs assessments, risk assessments, commissioning research, producing technical and public facing reports, engaging the public and decision makers and coordinating action on complex, cross-cutting risks that extend beyond the responsibility of any one organization. You will manage all budget, human resourcing, contracting and reporting requirements, as well as strategically planning future work and seeking federal funding to support your initiatives. You will be expected to work in partnership with Managers across the Division to ensure synergy across programs and will work with the Management team at Environment and Climate Change to achieve the objectives of the department. This includes priority setting and working across divisions.

In addition to the above, you will help strategically plan Nova Scotia’s overall approach to climate change adaptation. You will provide timely strategic analysis and advice to the Director to ensure they are making well-informed decisions on climate change adaptation policy and programs. This position is responsible for delivery of the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act (EGCCRA) goals and mandate letter commitments with respect to preparing for the impacts of climate change. This position will also be responsible for implementing the province’s new climate change plan, to be launched in 2022.

Qualifications and Experience

You have a bachelor’s degree in a related field (such as Environmental Sciences, Economics, Business etc.) as well as several years of experience in environmental/climate policy, leading multidisciplinary teams that work on complex, crosscutting issues.

Demonstrated knowledge and experience in the field of climate change adaptation policy and program development is mandatory. This includes:

• A solid understanding of climate change and climate change adaptation concepts and practice;
• Extensive experience with public engagement and partnership building;
• Extensive experience managing and leading teams and complex programs and projects.
• Experience in climate change risk assessments
• Experience translating climate science into prioritized adaptive action.

As the successful candidate, you have knowledge of current provincial, national, and international climate change adaptation policies, programs and plans as well as a strong understanding of how the initiatives impact the people, communities, and businesses of the province. This includes experience negotiating agreements and approaches with government and non-government partners.

The ability to apply theory and best practice to identify creative, practical, and defensible approaches to overcoming challenges is an asset as is the ability to recognize and articulate appropriate approaches to policy issues. Demonstrated experience in research, planning, project management, critical thinking and analysis are required, as is an understanding of climate science and policy.

The willingness and ability to share data, ideas and experiences with colleagues that may assist with policy planning or partnership building is a strong asset. Preference will also be given to candidates that have proven experience applying a social equity and wellbeing lens in their climate adaptation work.

You have led teams of professionals in the past and have demonstrated success through this leadership and work on complex problems. You are also able to show how you have forged strong relationships of trust and collaboration across diverse groups and communities. You are committed to diversity and anti-racism in the workplace.

Excellent verbal and written communication and persuasion skills are required.

Leadership competences required at this level of work are: decisiveness, strategic orientation, change leadership, team leadership, effective interactive communication, self-awareness and personal impact, partnering and relationship building, and intercultural and diversity proficiency.

We will assess the above qualifications and competencies using one or more of the following tools: written examination, standardized tests, oral presentations, interview(s), and reference checks.

Equivalency

An equivalent combination of training, education and experience will be considered. Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.

Benefits

The Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offerings and eligibility criteria.

Working Conditions

Some travel may be required but most of the work can be completed remotely.

Additional Information

On October 6, 2021 the Government of Nova Scotia announced full vaccination will be a condition of employment for new staff being hired.View the news release.

What We Offer

• Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
• Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
• Countless Career Paths.
• Department Specific Flexible working schedules.