Military Spouse Employment Initiative: Hire a skilled military spouse for your team

September 17, 2020 – Defence Stories

The Department of National Defence’s (DND’S) Military Spouse Employment Initiative (MSEI) - Employment Inventory is now accessible across the federal Public Service. It provides military spouses and common-law partners access to employment opportunities that allow them to develop their skills and pursue a career within the federal Public Service.

When hiring managers from DND or other government departments want to access the inventory, they’ll be directed to contact the National Staffing Programs team. The team works with the hiring managers to find the right fit for their team.

As a result, this gives military spouses and common-law partners more exposure and increases the likeliness of gaining employment across the Government of Canada.

DND is also introducing a military spouse organizational need for all DND external advertised processes that will directly support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and their families by enhancing access to employment opportunities for military spouses and common-law partners.

Part of merit criteria when assessing a candidate for a job is the organizational need. This relates to current or future needs that could enhance the way an organization operates or fulfills its mandate. While the military spouse organizational need is now a mandatory requirement that must form part of the job poster for all opportunities open to the public, hiring managers maintain their flexibility to use this option as part of their decision to hire a candidate.  

This means that military spouses and common-law partners can be considered as a hiring option ahead of all others with the exception of those with priority entitlements or preference.  If they meet all of the essential qualifications for the job.

For more information, visit the Military Spouse Employment Initiative webpage or contact your staffing advisor.