Program Director Mental Health & Addictions

About Us

The Office of Addictions and Mental Health (OAMH) works closely with the Nova Scotia Health Authority (NSHA) and the Izaak Walton Killam Health Centre (IWK) Mental Health and Addictions programs (MHAP). OAMH also works and partners with numerous community-based organizations to fund and support the delivery of important mental health and addiction services. In addition to funding and supporting the delivery of mental health and addiction treatment services, our work also includes interventions and actions that will help address the social determinants of health, including collaboration with our partners within and across government departments.

About Our Opportunity

This is your next opportunity to have a far-ranging impact on the health of Nova Scotians, the quality of public mental health and addiction services, policies, and programs, and the sustainability of the health system.

The Program Director for Mental Health and Addictions will lead a team of senior professional, project, policy, and strategy staff and provide direction for the development and delivery of multiple plans and strategies that improve access to treatment for mental illness and addictions, improve the mental health of the population, and address health inequities.

Primary Accountabilities

The Program Director will approve plans and strategies and make recommendations to senior leadership on major initiatives. You will contribute to the development of frameworks and policies by working with partners in other departments and identifying new innovative opportunities, programs, and initiatives to further develop and strengthen Nova Scotia. You will achieve this by:

• Designing, developing and delivering reporting and accountability mechanisms all the while ensuring plans are aligned with overall Government strategy.
• Leading and monitoring the compliance of programs
• Championing the further development and strengthening of opportunities in Nova Scotia through cross-government collaboration
• Maintaining effective and collaborative relationships with provincial, federal and international governments, partners and organizations.

You will represent the Department on government, industry, public/private, inter-department and internal committees, project teams, and at conferences and meetings.

Qualifications and Experience

As our next Program Director, you will have completed post secondary education in health or social sciences, combined with several years related experience in the design and development of policies and programs.

Your work experience includes you having led large teams of professionals across multiple locations, and remotely. You are known for your abilities to solve complex problems and demonstrate an ability to forge strong relationships of trust and collaboration across diverse groups and communities. You promote working in a highly collaborative, human centred environment where you can balance both the citizen and employee as priorities.

You understand the programs delivered by our government and have demonstrated the ability to multi-task where stakes are high. You are committed to service excellence and place high value on ensuring that the people you lead come to work in an environment that is inclusive, equitable and allows them to bring their best self to work every day.

The Government of Nova Scotia has adopted the LEADS Leadership Framework. During the interview, candidates will be expected to express how they have demonstrated the key behaviours and capabilities required to effectively lead in a caring and inclusive environment. LEADS Domains includes Leads Self, Engage Others, Achieve Results, Develop Coalitions and Systems Transformation.

Please follow LEADS (novascotia.ca) for more information.

We will assess the above qualifications and capabilities 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 a Defined 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.

Working Conditions

Most of your time is spent in a comfortable office setting with some site visits as required.

Your normal work week is 35 hours/week, 7 hours/day (and may require availability 24/7 during times of emergency and working overtime on occasion).

Additional Information

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.
• A Dynamic, client-focused office environment where service excellence and teamwork are our focus.