Recruitment of Policy Leaders

Looking for a challenging and rewarding career in the federal public service? By becoming a policy leader, you can help develop government policies to address today’s key challenges and prepare for tomorrow’s.

Become a policy leader

The Recruitment of Policy Leaders program seeks people with diverse backgrounds who have the potential to create positive change and make a significant contribution to the federal public service. This program develops a pool of exceptional candidates who are ready to be hired into a variety of mid- to senior-level policy-related positions in the federal public service.

To be eligible, you must have a strong record of policy-relevant experience, leadership or initiative, and research achievement. We accept applications from all academic and professional fields. Policy leaders are passionate about public policy and prepared to innovate to address Canada’s most pressing challenges.

What you could do as a policy leader:

• Work in the federal public service as a mid-level or senior policy analyst
• Propose creative solutions to Canada’s biggest policy challenges
• Advise senior officials in a constantly changing environment
• Work on a variety of issues and shape your career path based on your interests and expertise
• Be a part of a highly connected network of passionate and motivated alumni

Those selected will join a diverse pool of talented and experienced university graduates, scientists and professionals.

Benefits of the program

• Access to employment opportunities that match your interests and areas of expertise in various federal departments and agencies
• Access to mentorship from program alumni who will help you network and guide you through the job search and hiring process
• Access to a network of professionals who continually seek new challenges and are interested in tackling Canada’s most critical public policy issues
• Access to orientation sessions and regular social events, connecting you to other successful candidates and learning opportunities

Policy leaders may be appointed to intermediate level roles, typically as a senior policy analyst (in EC-05 to EC-07 positions, or equivalent groups and levels). Salaries may range from $100,265 to $146,936.

Who is eligible

• Canadian citizens or permanent residents who live in Canada or abroad
• People who live in Canada but do not have Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status may also apply for this program, but preference will be given to veterans and then to those with Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status
• Review the list of requirements to assess whether you meet program expectations

• Preference may be given to applicants with expertise in the following federal priority areas:
  • Artificial intelligence, technological innovation
  • Border security, public safety, law enforcement
  • Crown-Indigenous relations regarding resource development and northern affairs
  • Defence, national security
  • Economic growth, productivity
  • Infrastructure, housing
  • International trade, international investment, internal trade

Diversity, equity, and inclusion

The Government of Canada is committed to fostering a public service culture grounded in diversity, inclusiveness and accessibility and is working diligently to remove systemic barriers to employment equity members in order to build a workforce that truly represents the population we serve. The Government of Canada is committed to hiring over 5,000 people with disabilities by 2025 and a barrier-free Canada by 2040. The Government of Canada also recognizes First Nations, the Métis Nation, and Inuit as the Indigenous peoples of Canada and are committed to building renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown and government-to-government relationships. We are committed to act with honour, integrity, good faith, and fairness during the course of this selection process and thereafter.

• When applying, don’t forget to self-declare if you self-identify as an Indigenous person, a person with a disability, a member of a visible minority group, or a woman
• At each step of the process, you can submit a request for assessment accommodation measures including the following: accessible environment, different format, larger font, adaptive technology, more time, individual testing and more
• Accommodation measures are designed to remove barriers to ensure a fair assessment that allows candidates to fully demonstrate their skills

What to expect after submitting your application

If you meet the requirements of the application process, you can expect to:

• Receive an invitation for a written assessment
• Receive an invitation to an interview
• Have your references checked and provide documents to validate key information provided in your application

Hear from our policy leaders

Program alumni will share more information online and host Q&A information sessions throughout the application period. Visit our GCwiki page for details and registration links.

Masha Cemma, Senior Policy Advisor, Office of the Chief Science Advisor

“The Recruitment of Policy Leaders program landed me a dream job working with the Chief Science Advisor of Canada, a perfect spot to use my science background and hone my policy acumen. I knew it was the opportunity of a lifetime, because the office was brand new when I joined and I was eager to get in on the ground floor. Two years later, I’m part of a big team working on horizontal science initiatives both in Canada and internationally, like Open Science.”

Félix Meunier, Director General, Civil Aviation, Transport Canada

“My position allows me to play a prominent role in defining the approach to integrate drones in the life of all Canadians — and I’m not only referring to small drones but to very big ones too, that will eventually be used as urban taxis! Where else could I work on such varied issues for Canadians, feel that I make a difference and meet such incredible people?”