Opportunities Economist 3

The Department of Advanced Education is responsible for post-secondary education-related matters in Nova Scotia. This includes the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Office and Post-Secondary Accessibility Services as well as oversight over the ten universities private career colleges and language schools.

• Identify emerging issues risks trends and opportunities affecting post-secondary education and assess their implications for departmental and government priorities.
• Gather organize validate and analyze data from multiple sources.
• Lead the development and application of economic and statistical models used to assess system performance funding approaches policy options and investment decisions.
• Design and conduct policy simulations and scenario analyses involving tuition policy operating grants demographics enrolment patterns student pathways and outcomes research activity and other funding factors.
• Assess institutional and system financial sustainability by analyzing revenues expenditures and factors such as grant variability tuition constraints and external pressures.
• Analyze labour-market trends skills needs and the alignment between post-secondary credentials and employer demand to inform policy program and system planning.
• Lead return-on-investment analyses and economic evaluations of policies programs and services in the post-secondary education sector.
• Assess the economic and social contributions of the post-secondary education sector to provincial regional and local economies.
• Support the development of performance measurement indicators and accountability reporting.
• Interpret complex evidence and present findings as clear insights options and recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Prepare briefing notes presentations correspondence and other analytical materials for executive leadership central agencies and partners.
• Work with colleagues across Advanced Education and other government departments on shared priorities and integrated analysis.
• Build working relationships with post-secondary institutions sector organizations research partners and data providers to obtain interpret and validate information.
• Participate in interdepartmental intergovernmental and partner working groups providing subject-matter expertise on assigned issues.

To be considered for this opportunity you must have one of the following combinations of education and related experience:

• B.A.(General) 5 years related experience;
• B.A. (Honours) 4 years related experience; or
• Masters Degree 2 years related experience.

Relevant academic disciplines may include economics statistics data analytics finance accounting public policy public administration social sciences computer science business mathematics or another field of study directly relevant to the position.

Related experience includes conducting economic statistical policy program or research analysis in a complex environment and using data to support policy funding accountability planning or investment decisions.

To be successful in this role you must have applied and demonstrable experience:

• Working with large or complex datasets from multiple sources including organizing cleaning validating analyzing and interpreting a range of qualitative and quantitative data.
• Selecting and apply appropriate analytical methods test assumptions and assess the quality and limitations of evidence.
• Using quantitative statistical modelling forecasting scenario analysis or evaluation methods to assess options risks impacts and trends.
• Developing analytical products such as briefings reports dashboards models forecasts visualizations or decision-support tools.
• Using data analysis and visualization tools such as Excel Power BI Tableau R Python SQL or similar software to support applied analysis and reporting.
• Identifying trends risks emerging issues and policy implications and communicating technical findings clearly to non-technical audiences and clear advice for decision-makers.
• You are a proficient user of Microsoft 365 tools can exercise sound judgement when managing complex assignments and can provide accurate well-supported analysis within established timelines.

The following qualifications would be considered assets:

• Experience developing or evaluating funding models program costing models or other financial frameworks.
• Experience conducting economic or policy analysis related to post-secondary education.
• Experience analyzing labour-market trends skills needs enrolment patterns or student outcomes.
• Experience assessing return on public investment or the economic and social contributions of education research innovation or public sector programs;
• Experience supporting interdepartmental intergovernmental partner or cross-functional working groups; and
• Experience using Microsoft Copilot or enterprise AI tools to support workflows and productivity
• Knowledge of data governance information management privacy and cybersecurity principles.
  We may 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.

• Significant applied experience (10 years or more) in economic statistical policy program research data analytics modelling forecasting evaluation or decision-support work that demonstrates an equivalent level of knowledge and skill.

Based on the employment status and union agreement the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as aDefined Benefit Pension Plan Health Dental Life Insurance General illness Short and Long Term Disability Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. For information on all our Benefit program offerings click here:Benefits for government employees.

Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. The majority of the work is performed in an office setting. Some site visits may be required. The position requires concentration attention to detail and the ability to work with complex information and meet deadlines.