As an Awards and Recognition Policy Advisor, you will develop, implement, and maintain policies that recognize and celebrate the contributions of Department of National Defence civilian employees. This role is critical to building a positive workplace culture where employees feel valued for their work. You will work with senior management, human resources teams, and employees across the organization to ensure recognition programs are fair, inclusive, and aligned with departmental values and federal guidelines.
Your responsibilities will include analyzing current recognition practices, identifying gaps or areas for improvement, drafting policy documents, and providing expert advice to leadership on recognition initiatives. You may also coordinate special events, manage recognition budgets, and ensure compliance with Treasury Board and DND policies. This role requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work collaboratively across multiple departments and levels of management.
You will work in a professional office environment, primarily in Ottawa or another major DND location, though some travel may be required for consultations or special events. This position offers the opportunity to directly impact employee morale and organizational culture while contributing to DND's mission of recognizing and valuing its civilian workforce.
Key Responsibilities
Deliver awards and recognition services to managers and employees, Advise on HR policies, procedures, and best practices, Process HR transactions and maintain accurate records, Support organizational HR initiatives and programs
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, Technical proficiency, Attention to detail, Collaboration, Continuous learning
Typical Education
Post-secondary education or equivalent experience relevant to the position
Training
A bachelor's degree in human resources management, public administration, business, organizational psychology, or a related field is typically required. Some positions may accept relevant professional experience in lieu of formal education.
Professional certifications that strengthen your candidacy include Certified Human Resources Professional (CHRP) designation through the Canadian HR Professionals Association, or equivalent credentials. Treasury Board's policy development training and conflict resolution certifications are also valuable.
Once hired, you will have access to Government of Canada professional development programs including advanced policy writing courses, change management training, and specialized workshops on employee engagement and recognition best practices. Many employees pursue additional certifications in organizational development or advanced HR specializations throughout their careers.
Entry Plans
There are several ways to enter this career path within the federal Public Service:
Public Service Commission (PSC) Competitions: Most positions are filled through open or internal competitions advertised on the Government of Canada Job Bank. These competitions typically involve a written assessment, interview, and reference checks.
Talent Pools: DND and other government departments maintain talent pools of pre-screened candidates for HR professional roles, allowing for faster placement into vacant positions.
Lateral Moves: If you are already a federal public servant in another HR or administrative role, you may apply for internal postings without competing in an open competition, depending on departmental policies.
Student and Graduate Programs: Government of Canada offers post-secondary recruitment initiatives and graduate development programs that can lead to permanent positions in HR roles.
Contractor to Permanent: Some positions begin as term employment or contract work before transitioning to permanent roles based on performance and organizational needs.
Your experience in related fields such as employee engagement, labour relations, organizational development, or general human resources management will strengthen your application.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are increasingly available within the federal Public Service for civilian positions, including Awards and Recognition Policy roles. Many DND locations offer flexible hours, allowing you to adjust your start and end times while maintaining core hours for team collaboration.
Remote work options have expanded significantly across DND civilian positions. Depending on the specific role and location, you may be able to work from home for a portion or all of your week, particularly for policy development and research tasks. However, some in-person presence may be required for consultations, meetings, and special recognition events.
Job sharing and compressed work weeks are also possible in some circumstances. As a federal employee, you will also benefit from standard entitlements including paid vacation, sick leave, and family-related leave provisions.
Flexibility options should be discussed during the hiring process and with your manager once employed, as they vary depending on operational requirements and departmental needs.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
