Policy Officer Recruitment Programme

What is a Defence Policy Officer?

Defence Policy Officers help inform government decision-making by providing sound advice, recommendations and analysis on an array of pressing defence and security issues that are constantly evolving, such as information warfare, continental defence, great power competition, the Arctic, climate change, cybersecurity, disarmament, disaster response, procurement, multilateralism, peacekeeping, etc.

For example, they:

• provide advice to the Minister of National Defence and senior defence and military officials on a variety of current and emerging issues;
• maintain bilateral relationships with international Allies and partners;
• analyse and make recommendations on courses of action;
• provide support and guidance to the Minister and senior officials on Parliamentary, Cabinet and Committee processes, and issues; and
• provide policy support to military operations and exercises.

Defence Policy Officers are typically based at the National Defence Headquarters in Ottawa. There may also be opportunities to travel both domestically and internationally as part of regular or special working assignments. For example, members of the programme may get to temporarily work at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York to assist with preparations for the UN General Assembly High-level Week. In addition, after graduating from the programme, there are opportunities for longer international postings and to deploy on CAF operations around the world to act as Policy Advisors.

Essential qualifications

To be considered for the PORP, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
• have a Master’s degree in the social sciences, arts and humanities, or other security and defence related disciplines from a recognized university, and/or a Juris Doctor;
• have successfully completed at least one university-level course in sociology, statistics or economics, or demonstrate a combination of education, training and/or experience in one of these subject areas;
• be proficient in English or French;
• have experience researching, analyzing, and writing on subjects related to international affairs, defence and/or security or public policy;
• have an interest in national and international defence and security issues.

You must also have the ability to:

• communicate effectively orally and in writing;
• conduct research and analysis and synthesize information;
• work under pressure with tight deadlines;
• work effectively with others.

You must also demonstrate:

• commitment to continuous learning;
• integrity and respect in a diverse and inclusive environment;
• judgment and ability to think things through;
• initiative and leadership;
• adaptability.

What we offer

Full-time, permanent employment

Individuals hired through the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme are offered a full-time, indeterminate (permanent) position in the Policy Group at the Department of National Defence. The PORP is not an internship, a contract, or an academic program.

The programme covers a period of three years during which participants get three one-year work assignments in three different divisions within the Policy Group. Our rotational programme allows employees to be exposed to a variety of issues, types, and styles of work, and gain meaningful experience.

New policy officers work on pressing defence issues and military operations covering a wide range of topics, from culture change to emerging technologies, below threshold conflict to climate change, to intelligence, and more.

Members of the PORP are hired as Developmental Policy Officers at the EC-02 level (Economics and Social Science Services Group), and remain at that level for their first year in the programme. PORP members are then promoted to Junior Policy Officers (EC-04 level) in their second year, if they meet the necessary requirements. After three years in the programme, PORP members will be assessed for graduation as a Defence Policy Officer, at the EC-05 level, and offered a position within the Policy Group.

For more information, view the rates of pay for all levels of the Economics and Social Science Services Group.

PORP members moving to Ottawa are also eligible, under certain circumstances, for a relocation allowance, to a maximum of $5,000. Find more details about the Government of Canada’s relocation policy.

Continuous learning opportunities

At its core, the PORP is a professional development programme that will round-out your academic experience and help you hone your skills in areas like writing in a professional context, strategic thinking, and negotiation skills.

In addition to the on-the-job learning opportunities offered by the three work rotations, training is done through a combination of classroom and on-line courses, ad-hoc learning opportunities, mentoring, and special projects or assignments. Full-time, paid second language training is also provided for those who are not already proficient in both official languages.

All participants of the program participate in a Canadian Forces Base Tour during their first year, to familiarize themselves with the Royal Canadian Navy, the Canadian Army, and the Royal Canadian Air Force. This allows them to learn more about operational issues, equipment, and life in various military units outside of Ottawa, and how this relates to their own work at headquarters.

An open and welcoming work environment

The PORP hires five to eight individuals on average per year. Our cohort hiring practice means that from day one you have a built-in network of peers, as well as the opportunity to tap into the vast network of other PORPs and program alumni.

The Policy Group maintains an ongoing, open dialogue about ensuring ours is a supportive and inclusive work environment where people thrive.

We recognize the dignity and worth of each member of the organization and all facets of their identity (including gender and gender expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, language, religion, ability, etc.) and we are committed to creating and fostering an environment where this diversity is valued, inclusiveness is reflexive, and everyone, at all levels, can feel enabled and included to do their best work.

We understand that the light shed on instances of harassment and sexual misconduct in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces may be cause for concerns for potential PORP applicants, especially for women, members of LGBTQ2+ communities, racialized people, and other individuals who are underrepresented in the defence and security environment. Should you want to be connected with a current member of the Policy Group to discuss their experience working with us, please do not hesitate to contact us at PORP-PRAP@forces.gc.ca.

How to apply

Applications are accepted during an advertised process, typically on an annual basis each Fall, for a two-week period.

Contact Us

If you have questions or comments not addressed on this website, you can send us a message at PORP-PRAP@forces.gc.ca.