Selection process number: 2024-FIN-EA-BR-34675

 

Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP) Post-Secondary Recruitment: EC-03 – Leading to target level of EC-05 (Merit and Performance based program)

 

 

Finance Canada on behalf of multiple departments

Ottawa (Ontario), Gatineau (Québec)

EC-03 – Leading to target level of EC-05 (Merit and performance based development program)

$77,690 to $87,907 (This salary range is based on June 2025 rates of pay and applies to EC-03 group and level. The target level of EC-05 has a salary range of $100,265 to $115,404)

Employment tenure: Indeterminate (Permanent)

 

 

For further information on the APAP, please visit the Advanced Policy Analyst Program website.

Make a difference for Canadians while pursuing a career that matches your passion! Top 10 reasons to join Canada’s Public Service!

Need help with your application? Check out our video for tips and advice!

 

Closing Date: 4 November 2024 – 23:59, Pacific Time

 

Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.

Important messages

𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗲𝗱!

If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact apap.secretariat.paap@tbs-sct.gc.ca to request an accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodations will be kept confidential.

 

Accommodation can take many forms. The following are some examples of types of

accommodation requests:

 

1. Providing written materials in accessible formats, such as large print, braille.

2. Providing readers or sign language interpreters or closed caption interviews.

3. Extra time to complete a written test and/or interviews

 

Assessment accommodation

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY

Please ensure you read the poster thoroughly as the instructions contain important information that will be required in the application process. Failure to follow the instructions could result in your application missing critical information thus providing insufficient information for the assessment board to complete your assessment and resulting in your elimination from the process.

 

Work Environment

The Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP) is seeking highly motivated individuals who have an interest in Canadian public policy and governance, and who possess sound judgment, analytical skills, leadership potential, and the ability to work in a team.

The Program offers four challenging six-month assignments in the three central agencies (Privy Council Office, Finance Canada, and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) and a sectoral department (the participant’s sponsoring department) in the National Capital Region. Successful applicants will be matched with a sponsoring department that will represent the participant’s home organization for the duration of the program (two (2) years on rotations and a third year at the sponsoring organization). For a list of the participating departments, please visit the Advanced Policy Analyst Program website.

Participants will have the opportunity to analyze and contribute to a variety of public policy issues such as economic, social, environmental and/or international policy. The combination of hands-on work experience and training provides participants with a unique introduction to a challenging and rewarding career, and a chance to serve Canada and Canadians. Upon completion of these program assignments and with a fully satisfactory performance rating, participants are eligible for graduation at the EC-05 level and will be placed in their sponsoring organization.

Participants will have the opportunity to create strong bonds with their cohort and to network with alumni of the program, during a week of training, which will provide them with essential information and resources before their first rotation in July 2025.

Departments have transitioned to a hybrid workplace requiring employees to come into the office at least 3 days/week. This hybrid work arrangement will maintain the flexibility and productivity gained through remote work, while maintaining a positive work culture and making the most of the benefits of working together in the office.

 

Intent of the process

The intent is to staff twelve (12) indeterminate positions and create a pool of qualified candidates that can be used to make indeterminate (permanent) appointments with various language requirements at the EC-03 group and level in the National Capital Region.

This pool may also be used by all federal organizations to make appointments outside the APAP in a similar position with various tenures and language requirements at the EC-03 group and level across Canada.

Positions to be filled: 12

 

Information you must provide:

·    Your résumé.

·    A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year. 

 

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

 

EDUCATION:

 

In all cases applicants must have recently* obtained or will obtain by June 1, 2026 a Master’s degree, a PhD or a law degree.

A1) Completion of a graduate degree (Master’s or Doctorate) by June 1, 2026** from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in economics, sociology or statistics***.

OR

A2) Completion of a degree in law by June 1, 2026** from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in economics, sociology or statistics***. All law students or graduates must also have completed a bachelor’s degree. 

*Definition of Recently 

Recently is defined as within the last three calendar years (2021-2022, 2022-2023 or 2023-2024 inclusively). This clause is only applicable to graduate or postgraduate degrees. 

**Completion of graduate/postgraduate or law degree  

All degrees must be completed by June 1, 2026; however, for those currently completing their master’s or doctorate degrees, they must be able to demonstrate that all coursework will be successfully completed by June 1, 2025. For those completing a doctorate you must be actively completing your doctoral paper/project (must be enrolled in a post-secondary institution). Successfully completed means completed with grades officially posted by the academic institution.  

NOTE: If you are currently completing your doctorate degree and you completed a master’s degree in the last 3 years you are eligible to apply to the program.  

***Specialization in economics, sociology or statistics 

 

In order to meet the acceptable specialization applicants must meet all three (3) following requirements:

1) at least one half-year course in Micro-economics AND at least one half-year course in Macroeconomics (or an equivalent full-year course with both Micro- and Macro-economics)

2) at least two additional half-year OR one full-year course in economics****;

3) at least one additional half-year course in statistics or quantitative analysis or research methods.

****Course codes in Economics usually start with the letter "E", for example ECO1101. Otherwise, Economic courses are to include the word "Economics" in course title or course description. This information will be validated with your academic transcripts. 

NOTE: Courses must be at the college (e.g.,cegep) or university level. Up to two (2) college (e.g., cegep) courses will be accepted for the specialization. In total applicants need 4 half credits or 2 full credits in economics to be eligible in addition to the statistic or quantitative analysis or research methods course.

AND

B) Academic Excellence: Applicants must have maintained an average of at least 80% or A- at their last completed degree, either undergraduate or graduate level.

NOTE: Qualifications A) and B) will be validated. You will be asked to provide copies of your transcripts during your application, final transcripts will be requested in April 2025. When asked you will need to provide ALL your university transcripts (indicating university (college, undergraduate and graduate), course titles, number of credits, grades, year taken); including a list of all courses you will be taking this academic year, if applicable. Proof of Canadian equivalency for degrees obtained outside of Canada will be required prior to any offer of employment. For more information, please refer to the Government of Canada’s website:  Degree equivalency  

 

EXPERIENCE:

Experience which demonstrates leadership through volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or employment (including student employment) which involves a continuing commitment or effort, or significant achievement performed outside the applicant’s studies.

 

The following will be applied/assessed at a later date (essential for the job):

LINGUISTIC PROFILES

Various language requirements

English or French Essential
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC

Information on language requirements

 

KNOWLEDGE:

-  Knowledge of public policy issues facing Canada

-  Knowledge of economic implications of public policy issues

 

COMPETENCIES:

-  Analytical thinking

-  Judgment

-  Effective people skills and collaboration

-  Effective oral communication

-  Written communication

-  Managing workload

-  Values and ethics

-  Respectful of diversity

 

 

ORGANISATIONAL NEEDS:

 

In support of achieving a diverse workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women. As such, we strongly encourage applicants who identify within the Employment Equity Groups to apply and self-declare in their application.

 

Information on employment equity

 

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

Depending on the position to staff, operational requirements could apply such as:

-  Willingness and ability to work overtime with short notice

-  Willingness and ability to travel in Canada and abroad

 

Conditions of employment:

Secret security clearance

 

Other Information 

Application

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Please note, we will only accept online applications. Applicants are encouraged to apply ONLY if they are willing and able to work in the National Capital Region.

You may save your application as a draft and return to it at a later date. Your application must be completed and submitted in order to be considered. Partially completed applications, or those in draft cannot be considered. You can make modifications to your submitted application until the closing date.
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Assessments
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Candidates must meet all the essential criteria to be appointed.

Screened-In candidates will be asked to write an essay in November 2024, followed by an interview in January 2025 with reference checks taking place in February 2025.

 

At the time of written assessment (essay question), you will be required to identify challenges, assess advantages/disadvantages and discuss key considerations of a current economic/public policy challenge.

At the time of assessment (interview), proof of Canadian Citizenship and proof of education will be required. A security check will be administered after the assessment.

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Communication
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We will be contacting candidates via email including invitations for evaluations. Candidates are responsible for providing a valid email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is your responsibility to check your email account regularly to ensure that you do not miss any opportunities. Make sure to also check your junk mail folder. It is entirely your responsibility to inform us of any changes to your contact information.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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Bilingual Positions
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To be considered for a Bilingual Imperative position, you must be willing to undergo Second Language Evaluation testing OR you must already have Second Language Evaluation results (proof will be required).

If you have undertaken Second Language Evaluation by the PSC, you can obtain a copy of the SLE results, by requesting it at the following website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/corporate/about-us/contact-us.html#sle

For more information on SLE, visit the following website: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/second-language-testing-public-service.html

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Interview Stage

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Approximately 80 candidates, assessed on a combination of factors, will be considered for an interview.

Top-down selection may be used at any stage of the selection process to identify which applications will be given further consideration.

What is a top-down selection? It is where only the top scoring candidates will be invited to the next stage of the assessment. Please note that different pass marks and cut-off scores can be used at various stages of the assessment process. Candidates who attain the pass mark might not be further considered in the process if they do not achieve the cut-off score.

Should you be considered for an interview, you will be contacted in December 2024. All communications with candidates will be by e-mail only. Please include a valid e-mail address in your application and check your mailbox frequently.

Interviews are tentatively scheduled for January 13-24, 2025.

 

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Relocation
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Successful candidates must relocate to the National Capital Region to participate in the program. The Government of Canada agrees to provide you with relocation assistance, up to a maximum of $5,000, in accordance with the Initial Appointees Relocation Program available at the following address: www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pubs_pol/hrpubs/tbm_113/iairp-prinefp-eng.asp.

This Program is annexed to the National Joint Council Relocation Directive. Upon the signing of an offer and before making arrangements or incurring any expenses relative to your relocation, you will be connected with a Departmental Relocation Advisor, who will provide you with information regarding the relocation services supplier.

Relocation assistance is provided on the condition that you remain an employee of the federal government for a period of two (2) years. Should you terminate employment and thereby fail to complete a continuous two-year period, you will be required to repay a portion of the relocation assistance proportional to the period by which your service falls short. Please note that if you do not contact the person mentioned above within 20 working days following the effective date of your offer, we will presume that you do not intend to relocate. You will lose the right to receive allowances in accordance with the National Joint Council Relocation Directive.

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Vidcruiter
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To apply to this process, you must sign in to your existing Vidcruiter account OR create a new Vidcruiter account using your contact information (when you register for a Vidcruiter account, you will receive an email from no-reply@hiringplatform.ca).

 

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Virtual Drop In Sessions
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Date	Time	Language	Registration link
October 1, 2024	12 pm Eastern Time (ET)	English	Register
October 2, 2024	9 am ET	French	Register
October 9, 2024	8:30 pm ET	English	Register
October 10, 2024	4 pm ET	French	Register
October 17, 2024	10 am ET	English	Register
October 21, 2024	1 pm ET	French	Register

 

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

 

Contact information

For questions about the Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP), please contact:

apap.secretariat.paap@tbs-sct.gc.ca