Policy Officers

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

(*) These positions are classified at the RE-04 and RE-05 (EC-06 equivalent) group and levels.

Rate of Pay for RE-04: $72,700 - $93,600
Rate of Pay for RE-05: $91,500 - $116,200

These positions are also eligible for performance pay

How to Apply:

Please do not submit a covering letter. Screening will be based on responses to the screening questions, so read them carefully and provide complete answers that demonstrate the depth and breadth of your experience.

In order to be considered, your responses to the screening questions must clearly explain how you meet the essential education and experience requirements otherwise you will not be screened into the next phase of the process. Candidates will not be contacted to seek missing or incomplete information. Provide specific and concrete examples of your work history as it relates to each essential experience requirement and any applicable assets. Really focus on what you did! Your résumé will be used to validate your examples.

As this process will be used to fill multiple positions, additional qualifications (asset qualifications, operational requirements) may be used in the screening of candidates and/or to choose from among qualified candidates for specific positions. If you have any of those qualifications, please answer "yes" to the relevant question in your application and ensure you clearly demonstrate with specific and concrete examples how you meet the qualification.

Duties

There are four distinct roles tied to this selection process. These four roles and their duties are:

1. Senior Strategic Policy Officer (RE-05 level):
• Plan, develop and lead complex primary and secondary policy research and jurisdictional scans to provide strategic policy advice, evidence-based information/data and recommendations related to the development of major policy frameworks and on emerging financial issues related to consumer protection issues as well as advancing the National Financial Literacy Strategy.
• Provide leadership for the review, analysis and provision of salient points in the preparation of comprehensive policy positions and points of view, position papers, discussion documents, strategic and policy planning documents, briefing notes, to explore, advance and promote consensus positions and advise on policy interventions.

2. Senior Policy Researcher (RE-05 level):
• Plan, develop and lead complex primary and secondary research and jurisdictional scans to support and inform strategic policy development; and provide evidence-based analysis and advice related to the development of major policy frameworks and on emerging issues relating to financial consumer protection and advancing the National Financial Literacy Strategy.
• Undertake the design of studies and determine quantitative / qualitative research methods to oversee policy research activities and assignments; develop and undertake policy research projects and experimentations, draft primary research reports, translate and disseminate research findings, and establish and manage research partnerships with government (often through participation on various working groups) and private sector organizations.

3. Strategic Policy Officer (RE-04 level):
• Participate in the delivery of strategic plans and priorities including research, policy development and related initiatives/interventions that align with strategic policy requirements and opportunities in the financial consumer protection domain, insights and outcomes from the National Financial Literacy Strategy, and industry/regulatory change.
• Undertake assigned research within established parameters, methodologies and guidance to develop evidence-based policy information/data and recommendations on financial consumer protection issues based on research outcomes, environmental scans, trends and emerging issues.

4. Policy Researcher (RE-04 level):
• Undertake assigned primary and secondary research to advance policy research and experimentation and to support and inform strategic policy development and the analyses of emerging issues or trends impacting FCAC’s mandate; and provide evidence-based reports and findings to the Manager.

Work environment

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is a separate agency established in 2001 to protect consumers by supervising federally regulated financial entities and strengthening the financial literacy of Canadians. Today’s financial marketplace is complex, global and constantly in flux. Likewise, FCAC must be innovative and agile to remain a trusted authority in financial consumer protection.

Financial consumer protection is an integral part of the Government of Canada’s oversight of the financial sector. The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) ensures Federally Regulated Financial Entities (FRFEs) comply with consumer protection measures, promotes financial education and raises consumers’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities.

FCAC is a small separate agency subject to the Public Service Employment Act (PSEA). We have our own unique classification system (RE and REX) with relevant equivalencies noted above and we offer the same pension as the core public administration. In addition, as an FCAC employee, you will benefit from:

• a competitive salary;
• eligibility for performance pay at all classification levels within the organization;
• a comprehensive benefits package including: Health and Dental Plan; Disability benefits; Life insurance;
• a minimum of four (4) weeks of vacation leave per year;
• a hybrid workplace with options for telework*;
• a broad range of learning opportunities; and,
• a strong support for employee wellness and mental health including access to the confidential employee assistance program.

*The designated workplace is located in downtown Ottawa, Ontario.

Our people are our strength and we're looking for highly engaged and talented professionals to join our team!

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff a total of four (4) positions on an indeterminate basis.

STREAM 1: SENIOR STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER AND SENIOR POLICY RESEARCHER, (RE-05 LEVEL): There is an immediate need to staff two positions of Senior Strategic Policy Officer. There is also an immediate need to staff two positions of Senior Policy Researcher.

STREAM 2: STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER AND POLICY RESEARCHER, (RE-04 LEVEL, ANTICIPATORY): The staffing of these roles is anticipatory.

Preference may be given to applicants who are members of one or more of the following employment equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of a visible minority group.

This selection process may be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates, which could be used to staff similar or identical positions for various locations, linguistic requirements, security profiles and tenures.

Indeterminate Government of Canada employees at the same group and level or equivalent may be considered for deployment.

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION (APPLICABLE TO BOTH STREAMS):

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in economics, sociology, law, statistics or another relevant field.

Specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR STREAM 1: SENIOR STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER AND SENIOR POLICY RESEARCHER (RE-05 LEVEL):

E1. Extensive*** experience establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with multiple stakeholders.
E2. Recent* and extensive*** experience in the development of policy, legislative or regulatory recommendations for the consideration of senior management (Director or above).
E3. Recent* and extensive*** experience preparing or managing the preparation of comprehensive documents such as but not limited to statistical surveys, qualitative and quantitative studies, research reports, position papers, strategic plans and planning documents, Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board submissions and evaluation reports, briefing notes and presentations to senior management (Director or above).

Notes for the RE-05 level:
*Recent experience is defined as having acquired the experience within the last 3 years.
***Extensive experience is defined as a minimum of 5 years’ experience.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE SENIOR STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER ROLE:

E4. Experience serving as a subject matter expert and/or advising senior management (Director or above) on policy files.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE SENIOR POLICY RESEARCHER ROLE:

E5. Experience with data gathering and analysis methods for the compilation of research, reporting and presentation of research findings.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR STREAM 2: STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER AND POLICY RESEARCHER (RE-04 LEVEL, ANTICIPATORY):

E6. Significant** experience establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with multiple stakeholders.
E7. Recent* and significant** experience in the development of policy, legislative or regulatory recommendations for the consideration of senior management (Manager or above).
E8. Recent* and significant** experience preparing or managing the preparation of comprehensive documents such as but not limited to statistical surveys, qualitative and quantitative studies, research reports, position papers, strategic plans and planning documents, Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board submissions and evaluation reports, briefing notes and presentations to senior management (Manager or above).

Notes for the RE-04 level:
*Recent experience is defined as having acquired the experience within the last 2 years.
**Significant experience is defined as a minimum of 3 years experience.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER ROLE:

E9. Experience serving as a subject matter expert and/or advising senior management (Manager or above) on policy files.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE REQUIRED FOR THE POLICY RESEARCHER ROLE:

E10. Experience with data gathering and analysis methods for the compilation of research, reporting and presentation of research findings.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

EXPERIENCE (APPLICABLE TO BOTH STREAMS):

EA1. Experience in critically evaluating data limitations and interpreting results for research reports and briefing materials.
EA2. Experience in policy development related to the financial sector such as the digitalization of finance, open banking, and payments systems.
EA3. Experience with experimentation, novel or innovative policy approaches.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
Bilingual imperative CBC/CBC
Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB
English or French Essential.

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED FOR BOTH STREAMS:

Knowledge of the financial services sector, including emerging issues such as the digitalization of finance, and of products and services.
Knowledge of evidence-based policy development and/or policy research and data gathering techniques and methodology, including surveys.

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR STREAM 1: SENIOR STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER AND SENIOR POLICY RESEARCHER (RE-05 LEVEL):

Create Vision and Strategy
Mobilize People
Uphold Integrity and Respect
Collaborate with Partners and Stakeholders
Promote Innovation and Guide Change
Achieve Results

COMPETENCIES REQUIRED FOR STREAM 2: STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER AND POLICY RESEARCHER (RE-04 LEVEL, ANTICIPATORY):

Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
Thinking things through
Working effectively with others
Showing initiative and being action oriented

ABILITIES REQUIRED FOR BOTH STREAMS:

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively orally.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Willingness and availability to work overtime.
Willingness and availability to travel.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Secret security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Unless a request for accommodation has been made, we will only accept on-line applications received via the jobs.gc.ca site. There are some benefits associated with applying online: Applicants can create a profile and retrieve stored application(s) (personal information, covering letter and résumé) previously submitted and modify them, if necessary, before submitting the application.

Please identify clearly your Personal Record Identifier (PRI), your substantive group and level and your employment status on your resume and/or application form.

Applicants can modify their application/résumé at any time BEFORE the closing date indicated on the job advertisement.

Candidates invited to an interview will be required to provide proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript (original documents only).

Various assessment tools may be used in this selection process such as: written tests, performance assessments, interview, reference checks etc. All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications identified on the Statement of Merit Criteria.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Candidates may be required to meet some or all the asset qualifications, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent.

Depending on the number of applicants, volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach and/or establishing cut-off scores to determine who will continue in the staffing process, may be used for the purpose of managing applications. Please note that although you may attain the established pass mark on any of the assessments used in this staffing process, management may decide to use a higher cut off score.

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Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.