Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP) Post‑Secondary Recruitment

Selection process number: 2025‑FIN‑EA‑BR‑35299

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

Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and permanent residents abroad. Eligible veterans and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members may apply. See: CAF members & Veterans.

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@tbs-sct.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 2026.

Hybrid work: Departments require employees to be on‑site at least 3 days/week, combining flexibility with the benefits of in‑person collaboration.

Intent of the process

• To staff 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 and language requirements.

Positions to be filled: 10

Information you must provide

• Your résumé.
• A list of courses you have completed, are currently taking, or will take during the current academic year.

Essential qualifications

Education

Applicants must have recently* obtained, or will obtain by June 1, 2027, a Master’s degree, PhD, or a degree in law from a recognized post‑secondary institution.

If a degree is in progress (thesis outstanding), all required coursework must be completed by June 1, 2026. All applicants must also hold a Bachelor’s degree and meet the specialization requirements below.

Specialization in economics, sociology, or statistics

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 within the last three academic years (2023–2026 inclusive).

** Economics courses should include the word “Economics” in the course title or description. Course codes in Economics often begin with “E” (e.g., ECO1101). This will be validated against transcripts.

Academic excellence (B)

Applicants must have maintained an average of at least 80% or A‑ in their last completed degree.

Qualifications A) and B) will be validated. You may be asked to provide all university transcripts (college, undergraduate, and graduate) 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.

Asset qualification

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.

Assessed later (essential for the job)

Linguistic profiles

Positions may be staffed with various language requirements: English Essential, French Essential, or Bilingual Imperative (BBB/BBB or CBC/CBC). Final language profile is set by the sponsoring department. See: Language requirements.

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 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.

Bilingual positions

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

• Request a copy of existing SLE results: PSC – Contact us (SLE)
• About SLE tests: Second language testing in the public service

Interview stage

• Approximately 60 candidates, assessed on a combination of factors, will be considered for an interview.
• Top‑down selection may be used at any stage. Different pass marks and cut‑off scores may apply. Candidates who meet the pass mark may not proceed if they do not achieve the cut‑off score.
• If you are considered for an interview, you will be contacted in December 2025.
• Interviews are tentatively scheduled for January 13–24, 2026.

Relocation

Successful candidates must relocate to the National Capital Region to participate in the program. The Government of Canada provides 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 remaining a federal employee for two (2) years. If you terminate employment before completing a continuous two‑year period, you must repay a portion of the assistance proportional to your shortfall. If you do not contact the advisor within 20 working days of your offer’s effective date, we will assume you do not intend to relocate and you will forfeit related allowances.

VidCruiter

To apply, sign in to your existing VidCruiter account or create a new one using your contact information (upon registration you will receive an email from no-reply@hiringplatform.ca).

Virtual Drop‑In Sessions (October 2025)

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.

Contact

Questions about the Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP)? Email: apap.secretariat.paap@tbs-sct.gc.ca