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.

Policy leaders work on a variety of areas, including:

• climate change
• criminal justice
• digital economy
• food security
• foreign policy
• health
• international trade
• national security
• reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and more

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 (at the EC-05 to EC-07, or equivalent groups and levels). Salaries may range from $98,299 to $144,055.

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 first and then to those with Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status, except for positions in Nunavut, where Inuit from Nunavut must be appointed first
• Learn more about the veterans' preference
• review the list of requirements to assess whether you meet program expectations

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're an Indigenous person, a person with a disability, a member of a visible minority group or if you identify as a woman
• at each step of the process, you can submit a request for assessment accommodation measures including:
  • 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.
  • learn more about the basics of assessment accommodation.

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.

Alix Dostal, Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

“In my role as Senior Assistant Deputy Minister at Fisheries and Oceans Canada I have the opportunity to work on an array of important and fascinating issues, including related to helping ensure healthy and sustainable aquatic ecosystems, with partners from across Canada. The Recruitment of Policy Leaders program has provided many opportunities for me throughout my career in the federal public service and the relationships I have forged through RPL from my early days as a public servant have continued to endure and support me through to today.”

Masha Cemma, 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.”

Asha Jibril, Senior Policy Advisor, Canadian Human Rights Commission

“As a Senior Policy Advisor, I provide guidance to investigators, mediators and legal counsel on some of the most systemic and complex human rights issues in Canada. I work with a diverse array of community-based organizations to improve access to justice for marginalized groups, conduct research into issues of public interest, and prepare decision-makers for appearances before Parliament and the United Nations. The Recruitment of Policy Leaders program enabled me to pursue a meaningful career in what I am most passionate about.”

Félix Meunier, Director, Unmanned Aircraft Systems, 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?”