Advanced Policy Analyst Program

Benefits of the program

In addition to having one of the most unique and beneficial opportunities to begin a career in the federal public service, participants will become part of a network of intellectually accomplished, driven and committed public servants that has been two decades in the making.

Successful applicants will have the opportunity to work in a fast-paced environment on engaging policy topics that have a real impact on the lives of Canadians. Throughout the process, participants will gain:

• an understanding of the Cabinet and parliamentary systems
• an understanding of the roles of central agencies and line departments
• exposure to the overall functioning of government
• exposure to a variety of policy areas and policy making
• exposure to the expenditure management process
• opportunities to hone soft skills
• an effective network of colleagues and program alumni across the Government of Canada

Upon completion of the program, APAP participants have become valuable assets for the government who are able to develop and analyze policies, play the central agency challenge function, and successfully navigate the policy development process.

APAP alumni

Promotion progression

Participants are hired within the Economics and Social Science Services (EC) group at the EC-03 level ($77,690) and, based on performance, progress to the EC-04 level ($83,862) after one year and graduate at the EC-05 level ($100,265) after 24 months. Participants are required to obtain a fully satisfactory rating after each placement and be successful at the promotion board interview, which is held after 12 months of participation.

Participants graduate at the EC-05 level after two years, provided all conditions have been met. Upon graduation, participants are placed in their sponsoring department at the EC-05 level.

Participating departments

The APAP is a unique EC recruitment and development program within the Government of Canada policy community, funded by 14 participating departments:

• Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
• Canada Revenue Agency
• Department of Finance Canada
• Employment and Social Development Canada
• Environment and Climate Change Canada
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada
• Health Canada
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
• Infrastructure Canada
• Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
• Natural Resources Canada
• Privy Council Office
• Transport Canada
• Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Who should apply

The program seeks highly motivated candidates who exhibit:

• leadership and academic excellence
• good judgment and analytical abilities
• a keen interest in Canadian public policy and governance

Applicants must have recently obtained or be about to obtain a Master’s, PhD or law degree from a recognized university in any discipline.

Participants are expected to relocate to the National Capital Region.

Qualification requirements

• Are you a Canadian citizen or permanent resident?
• Will you have completed your coursework by June 1, 2025, and do you expect to have your degree by June 1, 2026?
• By June 1, 2025, will you have completed:
  • at least one half-year course in micro-economics and at least one half-year course in macro-economics (or an equivalent full-year course with both micro- and macro-economics)?
  • at least two additional half-year course or one full-year course in economics?
  • at least one half-year course in statistics or quantitative analysis or research methods?
• Have you maintained an excellent grade point average?

Screening process

Applications to APAP undergo a rigorous screening and selection process:

• applications will be screened to ensure that applicants meet the required qualifications based on education, experience, leadership competencies and other conditions of employment
• applicants who are screened in will complete an interview in January 2025 to further assess the essential competencies
• successful applicants will be advised in late February 2025 and will receive offers of employment once all conditions of employment have been met (April to May 2025)
• once appointed, participants will begin the program by attending an orientation week the first week of July 2025
• participants will begin their first assignment following completion of the orientation week

Application status

Only the top 80 candidates, assessed on a combination of overall academic excellence and demonstration of leadership experience, will be considered for an interview based on the number of available positions.

Should you be considered for an interview, you will be contacted by the APAP Secretariat by December 2025. All communications with candidates will be by email only. When applying, be sure to include a valid email address and check your mailbox frequently.

Failure to provide the requested information will prevent us from screening your application and will result in the rejection of your application. Applicants will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information.

We thank all those who apply.