The Northwest Territories Legislative Assembly is one of the three distinct and autonomous branches of the Government of the Northwest Territories (Legislative, Executive and Judicial). As such, it operates with autonomy and Independence from Cabinet direction and public service at large. This independence is critical to the mandate of the Legislative Assembly to scrutinize and approve legislation and budgets proposed by cabinet, monitor and critique the activities and performance of the executive branch and provide a forum for the exercise of responsibility parliamentary democracy in the Northwest Territories.

The scope of advice provided through the research and advisory function covers the full range of activities of the GNWT and its agencies, as well as initiatives of other levels of government, the private sector and the non-governmental sector that are of interest to clients. 

Located in Yellowknife and reporting to the Manager of Committee and Advisory Services, the Legislative Assembly Advisor provides expert advice on topics related to social programs, economic development, and/or government operations, but also has broad knowledge of other major issues of the day and the capacity to inter-relate issues to provide value to clients and to complete occasional assignments outside of their specialty. 

The Legislative Assembly Advisor is required to have an in-depth understanding of the Indigenous Government relationship and governance structure within the Northwest Territories (NWT) as these relationships directly impact the legislative and policy work of the public government. Primary clients are Standing and Special Committees and individual Members of the Legislative Assembly. The Speaker and the Clerk of the Legislative Assembly are also frequent clients. 

Committees and individual Members use advice and analyses provided by the Legislative Assembly Advisors in making decisions on legislation, appropriations, and other government initiatives, and on whether and how to pursue constituency issues. The Northwest Territories' consensus system results in Standing Committees and Regular Members having considerably more influence over Government spending and decision-making than their provincial counterparts and a genuine power to hold Government to account. The Government is always in the minority and requires Committee Members' support to continue in office and to bring legislation, including appropriation Bills, into effect. All business plans, appropriations, and legislative and policy initiatives, as well as many program initiatives and agreements, are referred to Committees in draft before they are ever made public. Committee recommendations, which may be public or confidential, frequently compel the Government to add or delete millions of dollars in program spending, to make significant policy changes, to initiate major mandate, policy, legislative, and program reviews, and to revise its priorities. With their majority, Committee Members can directly and without the consent of Cabinet, delete amounts from Appropriation Bills, defeat or significantly change any Bills before the Assembly, request investigations by the Office of the Auditor General for Canada, and remove Cabinet Members who do not perform to their satisfaction. The briefing notes and advice prepared and presented by the incumbent to Standing Committees therefore directly affect government business plans and budgets, policy, legislation, priorities and program delivery.

The Legislative Assembly Advisor must exercise considerable initiative and work independently in analyzing and compiling briefing notes; providing advice to primary clients; keeping abreast of local, national and international current events and developments on issues of interest to clients; interpreting direction from decision-makers and tactfully suggesting alternatives where appropriate. The Advisor determines appropriate methodologies for analyzing the issues and presenting findings. This includes recommendations for decisions, actions and/or further analysis as appropriate.

A degree in a relevant discipline such as Public Administration or Political Science and five (5) years progressive experience in a policy development or strategic planning function incorporating work on topics related to social programs, economic development, and/or government operations, preferably, working directly with elected officials, boards, or Indigenous Governments. 

Inquiries Only:

Department of Finance
Government of the Northwest Territories
YELLOWKNIFE CENTRE 5TH FLOOR  
BOX 1320 YELLOWKNIFE NT X1A 2L9
Tel (867) 767-9154 Extension 14106
Fax (867) 873-0445
jobsyk@gov.nt.ca

Note: If you do not receive electronic notification confirming receipt of your application, please follow up via telephone.