Advanced Policy Analyst Program - Indigenous
Prepares Indigenous candidates for policy roles in the federal public service.
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About the program
The Advanced Policy Analyst Program–Indigenous (APAP–I) is an advanced career development program for high-achieving Indigenous graduates with a master's degree.
This program builds on the success of the existing Advanced Policy Analyst Program (APAP), which has been a signature leadership recruitment program for over 25 years and has helped place more than 300 graduates in policy positions.
Successful candidates will gain first-hand experience of policy development and analysis and the machinery of government work by rotating through 4 advanced 6-month placements with:
- the Privy Council Office
- the Department of Finance
- the Treasury Board Secretariat
- a participating department in the national capital region
You will be matched with an Indigenous mentor who is already working at the executive level in the public service. Visit Indigenous executive mentorship to learn about the Indigenous mentors, their careers and their first-hand experiences.
Successful candidates will attend an orientation session prior to being assigned a work placement.
Who can apply
You may apply to the program if:
- you are a Canadian citizen
- you self-identify as an Indigenous person (First Nations, Inuit or Métis)
- you are not currently an indeterminate employee of the Government of Canada
- you have graduated with a master's degree in any discipline from a recognized university within the last 2 calendar years, or you will have completed your master's coursework from a recognized university in any discipline by spring with an anticipated degree by June 2022
- you have maintained an excellent grade point average (at least 75% or B+)
- you are willing to relocate to the national capital region
In order to meet the acceptable criteria, applicants must meet all 3 following requirements:
- at least 1 half-year course in micro-economics and at least 1 half-year course in macro-economics (or an equivalent full-year course with both micro and macro-economics)
- at least 2 additional half-year or one full-year course in economics
- at least 1 additional half-year course in statistics or quantitative analysis or research methods
Academic excellence
You must have maintained an excellent grade point average (at least 75% or B+) in your last completed degree, either undergraduate or graduate level.
How to apply
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all recruiting activities, including interviews, will be done by video or teleconference. Candidates should be prepared to work remotely and be part of a virtual team during the pandemic.
Applying to the program is a 2-step process.
- Fill out an application form on the GC Jobs website.
- You will need to create an account if you do not have one already.
- Email all additional documentation (i.e. transcripts, grades, diplomas, etc.) to the portfolio manager at
We will not contact you for missing information. Please ensure your application package is complete.
All communications with candidates will be by email only. When applying, please include a valid email address and check your inbox frequently.
Applicants who are screened in will be contacted directly.
The top 20 to 30 candidates will be considered for an interview, based on the number of available positions. You will be assessed on a combination of:
- good judgment
- analytical abilities
- overall academic excellence
- demonstration of leadership experience
If you are successful in the interview, you will receive an offer of employment once all conditions have been met.
Benefits of the program
APAP–I is a unique program due to the rotation through 3 central agencies and emphasis on leadership development with an Indigenous perspective.
During these placements, you will complete a second language assessment, receive initial French or English language training, as well as:
- impact policy development
- receive support from an Indigenous public sector executive mentor
- analyze a variety of social, economic and international policy issues
- gain work experience that would otherwise take much longer to attain at a standard career pace
- access supports, skills, training and information that will help you thrive as an Indigenous person working in the public service
One of the integral aspects of the APAP–I is that you will be matched with an Indigenous mentor who is at the executive level in the federal public service.
Throughout the process, you will gain:
- opportunities to hone soft skills
- exposure to the budget management process
- exposure to the overall functioning of government
- exposure to a variety of policy areas and policy making
- an understanding of the Cabinet and parliamentary systems
- an understanding of the roles of central agencies and departments
- the opportunity to work on fast-paced and engaging policy topics that have a real impact on the lives of Canadians
Upon completion of the program, the combination of hands-on work experience and development training ensures you are:
- shaping a modern federal public service from an Indigenous worldview
- well positioned to advance your career in the federal public service
- taking a leadership role in improving outcomes for Indigenous peoples by bringing your Indigenous experiences into developing government policy
- able to develop and analyze policies, play the central agency challenge function and successfully navigate the policy development process in the federal sphere
You will also become part of a dedicated network of committed public servants who are driven to:
- collaborate as part of an open community of practice
- inspire change within the culture of the public service
- incorporate your diverse knowledge and approaches to problem solving
Promotion progression
You will be hired at the EC-03 group and level ($68,666 to $77,696).
Based on your performance, you will progress to the EC-04 level ($74,122 to $85,778) after one year.
You will graduate the program at the EC-05 level ($88,618 to $101,999) after 2 years.
You 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
Upon graduation, you will be placed in a sponsoring department at the EC-05 level in the national capital region.
Participating departments and agencies
Potential department and central agency sponsors include:
- Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
- Canada Revenue Agency
- Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada
- Employment and Social Development Canada
- Environment and Climate Change Canada
- Finance Canada
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada
- Global Affairs Canada
- Health Canada
- Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
- Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
- Indigenous Services Canada
- Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
- Natural Resources Canada
- Privy Council Office
- Statistics Canada
- Transport Canada
- Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Contact us
If you have any questions about the program, please contact:
Corrinne Smith, Portfolio Manager, APAP–I
Indigenous Services Canada
Corrinne.Smith@sac-isc.gc.ca
Virtual meetings can be organized by request for:
- Indigenous students (individually or groups)
- Indigenous student networks
- Indigenous student unions and associations
- Post-secondary Coordinators
- Tribal Councils