2027-2029 Advanced Policy Analyst Program

Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP) Post-Secondary Recruitment

Finance Canada on behalf of multiple departments

Ottawa (Ontario), Gatineau (Québec)

EC-03 – leading to target level of EC-05

$77,690 – $87,907 (EC-03, June 2025 rates). Target level EC-05: $100,265 – $115,404.

Employment tenure: Indeterminate (Permanent)

Learn more on the APAP website · Application tips video

Who can apply

Canadian citizens and permanent residents. 

Important messages

Giving you the best chance to succeed! If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, contact apap.secretariat.paap@esdc-edsc.gc.ca . All information related to accommodations is confidential.

Work environment

The Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP) seeks highly motivated individuals interested in Canadian public policy and governance who demonstrate sound judgment, analytical skills, leadership potential, and teamwork.

The Program offers four six-month assignments across the three central agencies (Privy Council Office, Finance Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat) and a sectoral department (your sponsoring department) in the National Capital Region. Successful applicants are matched with a sponsoring department (home organization) for the duration of the program—two years of rotations plus a third year at the sponsoring organization. See the list of participating departments on the APAP website .

Participants will analyze and contribute to economic, social, environmental, and international policy files. The combination of hands-on work and training provides a unique launchpad for a rewarding public service career. With fully satisfactory performance, graduates are eligible for EC-05 placement in their sponsoring organization.

Participants will build strong cohort bonds and connect with alumni during a training week prior to the first rotation in July 2027.

Hybrid work: Departments require employees to be on-site at least 4 days/week, combining flexibility with the benefits of in-person collaboration.

Intent of the process

• To staff up to ten (10) indeterminate positions and create a pool of qualified candidates at the EC-03 level in the National Capital Region.
• This pool may also be used by federal organizations to make similar appointments outside APAP at the EC-03 level across Canada, with various tenures.

Positions to be filled: 10

Application Information

Information you must provide

• Your resume
• Course list: Courses completed, currently taking, or planned for the current academic year
• Academic records: Be ready to provide transcripts and grading scales for all post-secondary studies
• Foreign credentials: Degrees obtained outside Canada require proof of Canadian equivalency
• Experience: Leadership and analytical/research-methods experience from academic, work, volunteer, extracurricular or other activities
• Awards: Academic scholarships or awards of excellence, if applicable

Essential qualifications

Education

Applicants must have recently* obtained, or will obtain by June 1, 2028, either a Master’s degree or PhD in their field of study, or a degree in law, from a recognized post-secondary institution.

If a degree is in progress, for example thesis outstanding, all required coursework must be completed by June 1, 2027. All applicants must also hold a Bachelor's degree and meet the specialization requirements below.

Specialization in economics, sociology, or statistics (A)

Required coursework may be completed at the college (e.g., CÉGEP), undergraduate, or graduate level. Applicants must meet all three of the following:

1. Microeconomics & Macroeconomics: at least one half-year course in Microeconomics and at least one half-year course in Macroeconomics (or one full-year course covering both); and
2. Additional Economics: at least two additional half-year courses or one full-year course in economics**; and
3. Statistics/Methods: at least one half-year course in statistics, quantitative analysis, or research methods.

* "Recently” is defined as having obtained the qualifying degree in 2024, 2025 or 2026. Applicants who have not yet graduated may also apply if all required coursework will be completed by June 1, 2027 and the qualifying degree will be obtained no later than June 1, 2028.

** Courses used to meet the Additional Economics requirement should have substantial economics content reflected in the course title, course code, or official course description. The course title does not need to include the word "Economics". Examples may include International Trade, Public Finance or Government Finance, Labour Economics, Development Economics, Econometrics, or similar courses where the official course description demonstrates economics content. This will be validated against transcripts and, where needed, official course descriptions.

Academic excellence (B)

Applicants must demonstrate strong academic achievement in post-secondary studies. This will normally be assessed based on performance in the bachelor's degree, as it provides a broad record of undergraduate academic performance. Strong performance in a completed or in-progress graduate or law degree may also be considered.

Examples of strong academic achievement may include an average of at least 80%, A-, 3.7/4.0, or an equivalent level of achievement based on the grading scale of the issuing institution or country. Applicants may be asked to provide transcripts and grading scales for all post-secondary studies.

Qualifications (A) and (B) will be validated. You may be asked to provide all post-secondary transcripts showing institution, course titles, credits, grades, and year taken, plus a list of courses you plan to take this year (if applicable). Degrees obtained outside Canada require proof of Canadian equivalency. See: Degree equivalency .

Experience

Experience demonstrating leadership through volunteer work, extracurricular activities, or employment (including student employment) showing sustained commitment/effort or significant achievements outside formal studies.

Experience using qualitative or quantitative research methods, evidence, data, documentary records, legal reasoning, legal precedents, or other analytical approaches to analyze real-world issues, projects, policy questions, organizational challenges, or community needs. This experience may be gained through academic, work, volunteer, extracurricular, or other activities.

Asset qualifications

• Experience, training, or coursework related to program or policy analysis, program evaluation, performance measurement, service delivery, process improvement, organizational effectiveness, or the use of evidence and data to improve programs, services, or decision-making.
• Experience synthesizing information from multiple sources, such as evidence, data, analysis, legal, policy, or program considerations, for a real-world issue, project, policy question, organizational challenge, or community need.
• Academic scholarship(s) or award(s) of excellence (e.g., admission or international scholarships). Note: bursaries do not constitute academic scholarships or awards of excellence.

Organizational needs

To support a diverse workforce, consideration may be given to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women.

Operational requirements

• Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice
• Willingness and ability to travel in Canada and abroad

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance.

Program progression

After one year in the Program, participants are considered for promotion to the EC-04 level, subject to satisfactory performance evaluations, proof of successful completion of their graduate or law degree, and successful completion of an EC-04 promotional interview.

Assessed later (essential for the job)

Knowledge

• Knowledge of public policy issues facing Canada
• Knowledge of the economic implications of public policy issues

Core competencies

• Demonstrating integrity and respect
• Thinking things through
• Working effectively with others
• Showing initiative and being action-oriented

Abilities

• Analyze complex policy issues and synthesize evidence into clear options
• Communicate effectively orally
• Communicate effectively in writing

Other information

Application

We only accept online applications. You can save a draft and return later. You must submit your application to be considered; drafts cannot be considered. You can modify a submitted application until the closing date.

Assessments

• Candidates must meet all essential criteria to be appointed.
• At the time of assessment (interview), proof of Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status and proof of education will be required. A security check will follow the assessment.

Communication

We will contact candidates via email (including invitations to evaluations). Provide a valid email address that can accept messages from unknown senders and check your inbox and junk folders regularly. It is your responsibility to keep your contact information up to date.

All communication related to this process, including emails and phone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Relocation

Successful candidates must relocate to the National Capital Region to participate in the program. Eligible candidates appointed from outside the federal public service may receive up to $5,000 in relocation assistance under the Initial Appointees Relocation Program: Initial Appointees Relocation Program .

This program is annexed to the National Joint Council Relocation Directive. Before making arrangements or incurring expenses, you will be connected with a Departmental Relocation Advisor.

 Relocation assistance is conditional on signing a two-year service agreement. If you terminate employment before completing a continuous two-year period, you must repay a portion of the assistance proportional to your shortfall.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first, then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. See: Canadian Armed Forces members and veterans – Canada.ca

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