National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2016 Version 1.0

4 - Occupations in education, law and social, community and government services

Occupations in this category are concerned with law, teaching, counselling, conducting social science research, developing government policy, and administering government and other programs. Occupations providing religious services and leadership are included in this category. These occupations usually require completion of a related post-secondary program. Individuals who work as paralegals, social service workers or educators and instructors who are not part of the elementary, secondary or post-secondary school system are usually required to complete additional formal education to progress to professional occupations.

41 - Professional occupations in law and social, community and government services

This major group comprises professional occupations in law and social, community and government services. It includes judges, lawyers, Quebec notaries, psychologists, social workers and counsellors; as well as policy researchers, consultants and program officers in a variety of fields; and certain other professional occupations in the social sciences.

416 - Policy and program researchers, consultants and officers

This minor group includes policy researchers, analysts, consultants, and program officers in a variety of fields and certain other professional occupations in social science not elsewhere classified. They are employed by federal, provincial and municipal governments, and government agencies; universities, educational institutions, and school boards; research, international, non-government, and environmental and conservation organizations; consulting, marketing, and investment companies; banks; unions, and professional and business associations; recreation, sports, and fitness facilities; hospitals, health care facilities, retirement homes, and community centres and agencies; and in industry and manufacturing; or they may be self-employed.

4165 - Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers

Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers conduct research, produce reports and administer health care policies and programs. They are employed by government departments and agencies, consulting establishments, universities, research institutes, hospitals, community agencies, educational institutions, professional associations, non-governmental organizations and international organizations.

• Illustrative example(s)

  • child health care programs planning officer
  • drug and alcohol abuse consultant
  • health care consultant
  • health care planner
  • health policy research analyst
  • health promotion program officer
  • health services researcher
  • mental health programs consultant
  • policy development officer - nursing homes

  All examples

• Exclusion(s)

  • Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers (See 4166 Education policy researchers, consultants and program officers)
  • Government managers - health and social policy development and program administration (See 0411 Government managers - health and social policy development and program administration)
  • Managers in health care (See 0311 Managers in health care)
  • Social and community service workers (See 4212 Social and community service workers)
  • Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers (See 4164 Social policy researchers, consultants and program officers)

• Main duties

  Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers perform some or all of the following duties:

  • Assist in developing government health policy by reviewing relevant literature, conducting interviews, collecting and analysing statistical data, and providing advice to senior managers and officials on issues such as health promotion, regulation, standards and financing
  • Design and implement health projects or programs
  • Maintain, update and manage health information databases
  • Compile and analyse statistical information provided by private and public health care institutions and organizations and produce reports
  • Monitor and evaluate health care programs operated by government departments and agencies or private organizations
  • Assess compliance with health standards and identify remedial action if necessary
  • Conduct evaluations and assessments of health projects and programs
  • Provide consulting services to clients in private establishments or government departments or agencies
  • Respond to internal and external program and policy information requests
  • Produce newsletters, magazines and other documents to provide information to association or organization members or the general public
  • Present the views of an association or organization to politicians, government officials, the media or the general public.

  Health policy researchers, consultants and program officers may specialize in a particular area of health policy development, research or program administration such as addiction research.

• Employment requirements

  • A bachelor's degree or college diploma in health science, public administration, recreation administration or hospital administration, or a bachelor's degree in social science, is required.
  • A graduate degree in health, social science or an administrative discipline may be required.
  • Several years of experience in the health field as a health care professional or as a community or social service worker are usually required.

• Additional information

  • Progression to managerial positions is possible with experience.