Competition # : 49380
Department: Opportunities and Social Development
Location: HALIFAX
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: Exclusion - Non Union - NSPG
Closing Date: 24-Jul-26 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
At the Department of Opportunities and Social Development (OSD), we are a large and diverse department providing a broad portfolio of programs and services including Child and Family Wellbeing (CFW), Employment Support Services (ESS), Income Assistance (IA), Supportive Housing and Homelessness, and the Disability Support Program (DSP).
Through our services, we advocate and help vulnerable Nova Scotians be independent, self-reliant, and secure. We work collaboratively with community partners and across the province with a strong dedicated network of supports and staff across the province, to achieve desired and shared outcomes for all.
As a Director, Child and Family Wellbeing, you will play a key leadership role in shaping the future of child and family wellbeing services in Nova Scotia. This is a role where you can make a real and lasting difference.
You will lead the development of policies, programs, and strategic initiatives that support children, youth, families and communities. This includes guiding system-wide improvements, supporting service delivery, and helping to create more preventative, equitable, innovative and community-focused approaches.
This is a unique opportunity to:
- Contribute to meaningful, province-wide transformation
- Influence policy, practice, and long-term outcomes
- Work collaboratively across government and with community partners
- Support and develop a team of skilled professionals
Your work will have a direct and lasting impact on children, youth, families, communities, and departmental staff across Nova Scotia.
In this role, you will:
- Provide strategic leadership for child and family wellbeing policy, programs, and practice.
- Lead the development and implementation of policies and guidelines that shape services across the province
- Support the ongoing development and enhancement of the delivery of services to promote child and family wellbeing.
- Guide system transformation initiatives, including shifts toward preventative and community-based approaches
- Provide advice and recommendations to senior leadership and government decision-makers
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with other government partners, communities, and service providers
- Lead, coach, and support a team, focusing on learning, growth, and strong performance
- Monitor trends, risks, opportunities and emerging needs to inform policy and program design, development and decisions.
Model and support the implementation of the child and family wellbeing practice framework
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You thrive as a leader who inspires and challenges others to be creative, innovative, and collaborative. You must have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Social Work and be eligible for registration with the Nova Scotia College of Social Workers. In addition, you have several years of progressive leadership experience in the delivery or oversight of social services and programs, including:
- Leading people, teams, or programs
- Supporting others in their growth and development
- Leading through change and transformation
Excellent people skills and personal resilience are essential to succeed in this highly collaborative, human centred environment. In addition, you have demonstrated the ability to:
- Lead both people and system-level initiatives
- Build strong partnerships across organizations and communities
- Apply an equity and inclusion lens in decision-making and service design
- Think strategically and translate ideas into action
- Communicate effectively with a range of audiences
Desirable assets include experience in developing or implementing public policy, and working across multiple sectors (e.g., health, justice, education). Additional assets include in depth knowledge of Nova Scotia’s legislation, programs, and policies relevant to child and family wellbeing.
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.
Based on the employment status, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.
Your typical work week is 35 hours with 7-hour days. There will be regular travel to offices throughout the various regions. Your decisions have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of both citizens receiving OSD services and staff, requiring your ability to balance conflicting views with multiple stakeholders.
- 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
Pay Grade: EC 14
Salary Range: $4,754.34 - $5,942.94 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement: Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
Accommodation Statement: We are committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Candidates may request accommodations based on any grounds protected by the Human Rights Act. If you require an accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please contact us at [email protected].
PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
If you are receiving a pension from the Nova Scotia Public Service Superannuation Plan (PSSP) or any related plans, you cannot receive pension payments while contributing to the same plan. If you accept a position that requires PSSP contributions, your pension payments must be stopped. Please contact the Nova Scotia Pension Services Corporation for more information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to [email protected].
