Advanced Policy Analyst Program

Benefits of the program

In addition to having one of the most unique and privileged opportunities to begin a career in the federal public service, participants will become part of a dedicated network of intelligent, driven, and committed public servants two decades in the making.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work on fast-paced and engaging policy topics that have a real impact on the lives of Canadians. Throughout the process, participants will gain:

• an understanding of the Cabinet and parliamentary systems
• an understanding of the roles of central agencies and line departments
• exposure to the overall functioning of government
• exposure to a variety of policy areas and policy making
• exposure to the expenditure management process
• opportunities to hone soft skills
• an effective network of colleagues and program alumni across government

Upon completion of the program, APAP participants have become valuable assets for the government—able to develop and analyze policies, play the central agency challenge function, and successfully navigate the policy development process.

Advanced Policy Analyst Program Alumni

Promotion progression

Participants are hired at the EC-03 group and level ($74,487) and, based on performance, progress to the EC-04 level ($80,405 – $93,050) after one year, and graduate at the EC-05 level ($96,131 – $110,646) after 24 months. Participants are required to obtain a fully satisfactory rating after each placement and be successful at the promotion board interview, which is held after 12 months of participation.

Participants graduate at the EC-05 level after 2 years, provided all conditions have been met. Upon graduation, participants are placed in their sponsoring department at the EC-05 level.

Participating departments

The Advanced Policy Analyst Program is a unique EC recruitment and development program within the GC policy community, funded by 14 participating departments:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Canada Revenue Agency
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Finance Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Health Canada
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Infrastructure Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Natural Resources Canada
• Privy Council Office
• Transport Canada
• Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Who should apply

The program seeks highly motivated candidates who exhibit leadership and academic excellence, good judgment and analytical abilities, and a keen interest in Canadian public policy and governance.

Applicants must have recently obtained or be about to obtain a Master’s, PhD or law degree from a recognized university in any discipline.

Participants are expected to relocate to the National Capital Region.

Qualification requirements

• Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident?
• Will you have completed your coursework by June 1, 2024 and do you expect to have your degree by June 1, 2025?
• By June 1, 2024 will you have completed:
  • at least one half-year course in Micro-economics AND at least one half-year course in Macro-economics (or an equivalent full-year course with both Micro- and Macro-economics);
  • at least two additional half-year OR one full-year course in economics; and
  • at least one half-year course in statistics or quantitative analysis or research methods?
• Have you maintained an excellent grade point average?

Screening process

Applications to the APAP undergo a rigorous screening and selection process.

• Applications will be screened to ensure that applicants meet the required qualifications based on education, experience, leadership competencies, and other conditions of employment
• Applicants who are screened in will complete an interview in January 2024 to further assess the essential competencies
• Successful applicants will be advised in late February 2024 and will receive offers of employment once all conditions of employment have been met
• Once appointed, participants will begin the program by attending an orientation week the first week of July 2024
• Participants will begin their first assignment following completion of the orientation week

Application status

Only the top 50 to 70 candidates, assessed on a combination of overall academic excellence and demonstration of leadership experience, will be considered for an interview based on the number of available positions. Should you be considered for an interview, you will be contacted by the APAP Secretariat by December 2023. All communications with candidates will be by e-mail only. When applying, please include a valid e-mail address and check your mailbox frequently.

Failure to provide the requested information will prevent us from screening your application and therefore will result in the rejection of your application. Applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.

We thank all those who apply.

How to apply

The Advanced Policy Analyst Program intake process is advertised through the Vidcruiter recruitment platform and is coordinated by Finance Canada on behalf of participating organizations.

Note: Please submit job applications through the Vidcruiter recruitment platform. Do not submit job applications directly to the Advanced Policy Analyst Program.