Senior Program Analyst, Early Years & Child Care

Job Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Systems Planning and Evaluation this position leads a funding team responsible for the management and oversight of financial analysis, reporting, and financial policy analysis of Children’s Service Division’s budget.  This position will provide strategic financial and policy advice in the development of funding models, accountability mechanisms and implementation strategies based on broad provincial guidelines. 

Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead a dedicated funding team in administering early years and child care services funding.
• Provide strategic financial advice, policy options and funding oversight for the budget of numerous early years and children care funding programs. 
• Build financial models and perform accurate analysis to inform business decisions.
• Oversee Children’s Service Budget, including developing and overseeing agency and program budgets.
• Develop and manage service agreements, accountability framework, and financial reporting. 
• Develop Council reports and internal decision-making reports, communications, briefing notes, program guidelines and resources to support system partners in delivering shared priorities.
• Communicate with provincial and local partners regarding provincial direction. Undertake research and analysis to accommodate required changes.
• Gather and analyze program outcomes and performance measures as well as information trends, issues gaps and statistics for planning and reporting purposes including financial reconciliation and cost reviews. 
• Provide modeling support and establish metrics and business intelligence mechanisms to assess economic viability.
• Develop and implement an audit and financial monitoring approach for provincial funding. This could include the use of a consultant to design an RFP to seek auditing services. 
• Manage stakeholder relations with service providers including child care operators to ensure the effective delivery of funding.
• Collaborate with both internal and external partners to support transformation within the early years and child care system.
• Perform other duties as required.
   

Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Economics or a related field.
• Minimum of five (5) years’ experience in managing budgets, providing strategic advice to senior management and developing financial policies and programs related to early years and child care.
• Excellent analytical and research, report writing, organization, communication skills and financial acumen are essential. 
• Expert data management and computer skills, including ability to design and analyze databases, perform statistical analysis using power queries, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and other related software are required. 
• Master’s Degree in Business/Public Administration or a Chartered Professional Accountant Designation would be an asset. 
•  Knowledge of the Child Care and Early Years Act.
• An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Working/ Employment Conditions

Working Conditions

• Travel will be required, incumbent must provide their own transportation.
• The incumbent may be required to fulfill roles and responsibilities outlined in the Halton Region Emergency Social Services plan. Roles and responsibilities may include coordinating an emergency social services response and on-call duties. Additional hours and shift work may be required to fulfill these functions.

Employment Conditions

• The successful candidate will be made an offer of employment on condition that the Regional Municipality of Halton receives a current (obtained within the past six (6) months), original and acceptable Criminal Records Check, including Vulnerable Sector Screening by the first day of employment.
• A valid driver's license.