Policy Analyst

In Canada, the federal government groups and organizes occupations based on a National Occupational Classification (NOC) system. This alis occupation may not reflect the entire NOC group it is part of. Data for the NOC group can apply across multiple occupations.

The NOC system is updated every 5 years to reflect changes in the labour market. Government forms and labour market data may group and refer to an occupation differently, depending on the system used. Here is how this occupation has been classified over time:

• 2006 NOC: Science Policy and Program Officers (4161.4);  Economists and Economic Policy Researchers and Analysts (4162);  Social Policy Researchers (4164.1);  Housing Policy Analysts (4164.3);  Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (4165);  Education Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (4166);  Recreation, Sports and Fitness Policy Analysts (4167.4) 
• 2006 NOC-S: Economists and Economic Policy Researchers and Analysts (E032);  Health Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (E039);  Education Policy Researchers, Consultants and Program Officers (E035);  Recreation, Sports and Fitness Program Supervisors and Consultants (E036) 
• 2011 NOC: Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts (4162);  Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers (4165);  Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers (4166);  Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers (4167) 

Policy analysts review and analyze political and social events, raise public awareness of issues and shape government or organizational policy. They may specialize in areas such as: education, health, national defence, public finance, international trade, industrial organization, international relations, energy, environment, labour, urban and regional development or agriculture.

Duties vary from one job to another depending on the employer and policy area. However, in general, policy analysts:

• maintain, update and manage databases
• assist in the preparation of strategic and operational plans
• gather and analyze statistical information and write reports
• review, analyze and advise on federal and provincial legislation, regulations and policies
• distribute program and policy information 
• engage with stakeholders and steward committees to get their input in the identification, scoping and development of policy and advocacy initiatives 
• research and write policies for an organization
• monitor trends and emerging issues.

In government settings, policy analysts:

• perform cost-benefit analyses to determine ideal policy positions or initiatives and recommend how tax dollars should be spent to maximize the benefits to taxpayers
• study policies and programs to assess the need for policy change and, if required, explore potential alternatives
• monitor social and political trends and policies, and their impact on the economy or population.

Policy analysts typically work regular business hours in an office setting. They may be required to work evenings or weekends to meet deadlines, attend meetings and complete reports. Policy analysts sometimes travel to attend conferences and meetings.

Policy analysts need the following characteristics:

• the ability to think logically and analyze complex problems
• the ability to use plain language to express complex ideas, in person and on paper
• the ability to pay close attention to detail
• strong data, statistical, economical analysis skills
• strong interpersonal skills and enjoy collaborating with others
• an interest in current events.

Policy analysts may work for:

• government departments and agencies
• research institutions, such as universities
• policy think-tanks
• consulting firms
• regional economic development partnerships.

Experienced policy analysts may advance to management positions, such as senior managers or directors.

In Alberta, policy analysts are part of the larger 2011 National Occupational Classifications:

• 4161: Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers
• 4162: Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts
• 4164: Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers
• 4165: Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers
• 4166: Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers
• 4167: Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers.

78% of people employed in the Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group work in the following industries:

• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Utilities (PDF)

77% of people employed in the Economists and economic policy researchers and analysts occupational group work in the following industries:

• Public Administration (PDF)
• Mining and Oil and Gas Extraction (PDF)
• Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Leasing (PDF)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Wholesale Trade (PDF)

76% of people employed in the Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group work in the following industries:

• Public Administration (PDF)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)
• Other Services (PDF)

79% of people employed in the Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group work in the following industries:

• Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services (PDF)

79% of people employed in the Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group work in the following industries:

• Educational Services (PDF)
• Public Administration (PDF)
• Other Services (PDF)

83% of people employed in the Recreation, sports and fitness policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group work in the following industries:

• Public Administration (PDF)
• Health Care and Social Assistance (PDF)
• Other Services (PDF)
• Information, Culture and Recreation (PDF)

The employment outlook in this occupation will be influenced by a wide variety of factors including:

• trends and events affecting overall employment (especially in the industries listed above)
• location in Alberta
• employment turnover (work opportunities generated by people leaving existing positions)
• occupational growth (work opportunities resulting from the creation of new positions that never existed before)
• size of the occupation.

Over 3,900 Albertans are employed in the Natural and applied science policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.5% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 59 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Over 3,500 Albertans are employed in the Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.1% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 39 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Over 2,000 Albertans are employed in the Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 2.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 58 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Over 1,600 Albertans are employed in the Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers occupational group. This group is expected to have a below-average annual growth of 1.3% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 21 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Over 2,100 Albertans are employed in the Recreation, sports and fitness program supervisors and consultants occupational group. This group is expected to have an above-average annual growth of 1.9% from 2016 to 2020. As a result, 40 new positions are forecast to be created each year, in addition to job openings created by employment turnover.

Note: As policy analysts form only a part of the larger occupational groups on which this occupational forecast is based, only a portion of the new positions created will be for policy analysts. Forecast information is not available for the other related occupational groups.

Employment turnover is expected to increase as members of the baby boom generation retire over the next few years.

Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties (AAMDC) website: www.aamdc.com

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management (APPAM) website: www.appam.org

Institute of Public Administration of Canada (IPAC) website: www.ipac.ca

For more information on career planning, education and jobs call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre toll-free at 1-877-644-9992 or 780-644-9992 in Edmonton, or visit an Alberta Works Centre near you.