Members & Graduates of the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme

Since its inception in 1987, the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme (PORP) has recruited more than 250 individuals. Today, graduates of the programme have gone on to have successful careers within the Policy Group at the Department of National Defence or elsewhere in the federal government, as well as in academia and the private sector. Take a look at what some current members and graduates of the PORP have to say about their experiences in the programme and why those seeking a career in the defence and security field should consider applying.

Alexandra Kaminski

• Hometown: Montreal, QC
• Graduate degree: M.A. in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University.
• Joined PORP: 2020
• Where are you today: Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York
• During your time in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme, how have/did you contribute to shaping defence?
• What advice would you give to a prospect/new candidate on how to make the most of the PORP?

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Reesha Namasivayam

My career trajectory, post-PORP, has been varied but filled with learning opportunities. When I left DND, I was the special advisor to the Deputy Minister – a great opportunity to learn from leadership. I then went to the Privy Council Office where I was tasked with advancing the Government’s legislative agenda. After that, I went to Health Canada as the Director of Cabinet and Parliamentary Affairs – where I had a chance to help steer the Government’s health agenda, on files such medical assistance in dying and cannabis regulation. Prior to leaving Health Canada, I was the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister. After a thoughtful decision to return to the security and intelligence community, I joined the Canada Border Services Agency to help develop an Issues Management function and develop other policy capacities within the Agency, including leading a COVID-19 policy task force. After two years, I returned to the Policy Group, where I am grateful to be working with the most dedicated and amazing team and amongst the best management team one could hope for.

• What are some highlights of your time in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme?
  • The BASE TOUR!! So many stories – but I would say two specific highlights – the great people I had a chance to work with and for, many of whom ended up being great contacts for when I was outside the Policy Group and also the unique work and opportunities I was able to gain access to, including sitting in on meetings with the Minister of National Defence on procurement, briefing the Chief of the Defence Staff before he met with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and writing a Memoranda to Cabinet on Afghanistan over a weekend!
• How have your experiences in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme shaped your career?
  • My experiences in the PORP have definitely shaped my career – the different rotations in the Program allowed me to gain a diverse set of skills – briefing senior officials, developing relationships, managing horizontal files which helped prepare me to become an executive in Government.
• During your time in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme, how have/did you contribute to shaping defence?
  • I had various opportunities to shape defence, either through the briefing of senior officials before they testified in front of parliamentary committees, in the development of policy in the Memoranda to Cabinet I drafted, and in the advice I provided to senior officials on requests for assistance. In particular, I learned how to develop a close working relationship with ministerial staff with a view to ensuring that departmental interests and policy were articulated clearly for the Minister and that the Minister was prepared to the greatest extent possible.
• Why would you recommend someone apply to the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme?
  • The PORP program is like no other in Government – it provides first-hand experience and mentoring to new public servants and recent graduates that cannot be found elsewhere in Government. The unique feature of the Policy Group is that you are surrounded by equally dedicated, professional and capable people who all have an interest in advancing the defence agenda.
• What advice would you give to a prospect/new candidate on how to make the most of the PORP?
  • Get out there and meet people! Make friends across divisions and throughout the Department. Support your Deputy Director and Director to extent that you can – they are mentors at your fingertips. Develop your skills through the work you are given and take every assignment as an opportunity to showcase your work ethic. You’ll learn the rest as you go along!

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Spencer Page

• What are some highlights of your time in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme?
  • One highlight that I always jump to is the experience of working in a uniquely joint civilian-military space. I find that the resulting convergence of perspectives and approaches to problem-solving yields a motivating, results-oriented work environment. In the spring of 2022, I was able to join many of my fellow PORPs on a visit to Canadian Forces Base Wainwright. Touring the base and observing the many components of the ongoing exercise were wonderful opportunities to learn more directly from my military colleagues about the many roles and experiences within the Canadian Armed Forces and how they interact to provide for Canada’s national defence and security.
• How have your experiences in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme shaped your career?
  • For my part, PORP has been an extraordinary learning opportunity, providing me with experience, training, and professional connections that have made me a better analyst and public servant. One of the best parts of the PORP in my experience has been the supportive community in the Policy Group — the mentorship I have received has no doubt had a significant influence in shaping my positive outlook on a career in public service and my aspirations for the future.
• During your time in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme, how have/did you contribute to shaping defence?
  • During my time in the Directorate of Strategic Coordination and Outreach, one of my primary responsibilities involved engaging experts external to the department to inform policy and decision-making. This was a great opportunity to apply some of my research background to bring value to the Policy Group while also working with numerous scholars undertaking important and interesting work in a variety of disciplines. During my tenure with the Directorate of NATO Policy, I also had the opportunity to apply my knowledge and skills to support Canada’s response to the invasion of Ukraine both bilaterally and in conjunction with Allies and partners. In this role, I worked with a dedicated team to make a meaningful contribution to Canada’s defence diplomacy and policy in a moment of international crisis.
• Why would you recommend someone apply to the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme?
  • Several reasons come to mind. For one, the PORP is certainly one of the best entry points into a career in public service. Mentorship and support for one’s professional development are central to the programme — the included provision of full-time language training is itself a rare and invaluable opportunity that should not be overlooked if, like me, you are a monolingual candidate. A policy officer’s role can also be both challenging and rewarding. Even as a new PORP, I felt trusted to manage consequential and interesting files and have seldom found my work to be arbitrary. Perhaps most critically: in the Policy Group you actually do get to collaborate with supportive, like-minded colleagues to solve problems and navigate issues that will have a real impact on people in Canada and around the world.
• What advice would you give to a prospect/new candidate on how to make the most of the PORP?
  • If, like me, you are a first-time public servant, the vast and seemingly unwieldy bureaucracy of government may seem like a cause for cynicism. My advice is to enter with eyes open, recognizing that public service work will be bureaucratic — sometimes frustratingly so — but that there is virtue in its labours and in choosing to commit one’s talents and energy in service to something larger than oneself. Retain your positive outlook and enthusiasm for this work through intentional self-care and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. You will also find that many if not most of your co-workers remain dedicated, passionate, and optimistic about their work. Fostering good relationships with like-minded colleagues and mentors will make you a stronger and more compassionate policy officer and enable you to take full advantage of the awesome opportunities that the PORP and public service provides.

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Tania Roth

• What are some highlights of your time in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme?
  • What I like best about the PORP and working in the Policy Group is that I feel like I have opportunities. As a PORP, I travelled to South Sudan to visit the UN peacekeeping mission, I participated in a military exercise as a policy advisor, and I worked as an advisor at Canada's Permanent Mission in New York, working on the UN General Assembly's First Committee. I'm sure there are many more rewarding experiences to come!
• How have your experiences in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme shaped your career?
  • I'm just at the start of my career, but I think the programme has given me the skills to adapt to any type of work and environment. Rotating every year, you have to learn to hit the ground running. The Programme also helps us develop a good understanding of how the Department works, and how it interacts with other departments and agencies.
• During your time in the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme, how have/did you contribute to shaping defence?
  • We get to shape defence in different ways in every position in the Policy Group, but I had the most impact when I worked in the Directorate of Cabinet Liaison. Through the drafting of Memoranda to Cabinet, I had a direct role in shaping the options that would be presented to Cabinet. I worked on a variety of files, from military operations, to procurement, personnel, national security, legislation, and more.
• Why would you recommend someone apply to the Policy Officer Recruitment Programme?
  • For anyone interested in defence and international affairs, there is no other development programme like the PORP. Not only does it provide a clear path towards the EC-05 level, it offers all the tools to become a well-rounded policy officer. Not to mention the great network that comes with being a PORP! And at the end of the Programme, working in the Policy Group, which is rotational, is a plus for anyone who likes being challenged.
• What advice would you give to a prospect/new candidate on how to make the most of the PORP?
  • You'll probably hear this often, but be open-minded. I truly believe that there are no boring files in the Policy Group, and there is something to be learned from every position. Also, don't hesitate to ask for help. PORP alumni, and Policy Group members in general, are always eager to share their experience and help you reach your full potential.

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