As a Director - Values and Ethics, you lead the development and implementation of values and ethics frameworks and policies across the Department of National Defence. You provide strategic direction and expert advice on ethical decision-making, values alignment, and integrity matters to senior leadership and employees at all levels. This role is essential to fostering a workplace culture built on trust, accountability, and adherence to Government of Canada values.
Your responsibilities include designing and delivering values and ethics programs, investigating ethics-related concerns, and ensuring compliance with Treasury Board directives and federal legislation. You manage a team of professionals who support organizational development in this critical area. You collaborate with Human Resources, Communications, Legal Services, and other departments to integrate values-based practices into daily operations and strategic initiatives.
You work in a dynamic environment where your decisions directly influence organizational culture and public trust. This role requires strong leadership skills, sound judgment, and the ability to navigate complex ethical issues with confidentiality and professionalism. You report to senior leadership and serve as a trusted advisor on matters affecting the Department's reputation and operational integrity.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of values and ethics services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the values and ethics team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
HR policy interpretation, Interpersonal skills, Staffing and classification, Conflict resolution, Labour relations knowledge, Team leadership, Operational planning, Stakeholder engagement, Results management
Typical Education
Bachelor's degree or equivalent; significant experience in the relevant discipline with demonstrated leadership
Training
To succeed in this role, you should have a bachelor's degree in Human Resources Management, Business Administration, Law, Public Administration, or a related discipline. A master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration, or similar field is an asset.
Professional certifications are valued, such as membership in professional HR associations (CCHRA - Canadian Council of Human Resources Associations), ethics certification programs, or specialized training in values-based leadership. You should demonstrate knowledge of Government of Canada policies, Treasury Board standards, Canadian Armed Forces culture, and federal privacy and access legislation.
Continuous professional development is encouraged. The Public Service offers learning opportunities in leadership, organizational change management, conflict resolution, investigation techniques, and advanced ethics frameworks. Many Directors pursue executive education programs to enhance strategic leadership capabilities. Government of Canada supports tuition reimbursement for relevant professional development.
Entry Plans
You can enter this Director-level position through several pathways within the federal Public Service:
**Advertised Competitions**: The primary entry method is through open or semi-open competitions for Director positions in Values and Ethics. These competitions are announced on the Government of Canada jobs website (jobs.gc.ca) and typically require a detailed application including your education, experience, and written responses to competency-based questions.
**Internal Mobility**: Current public servants working in related HR roles, Ethics and Integrity positions, or senior HR advisor positions can apply to competitions and may have competitive advantages through existing knowledge of government operations and values-based frameworks.
**Lateral Moves**: Experienced HR managers or ethics professionals from other federal departments or provincial governments may be recruited directly or through targeted recruitment initiatives.
**Management Track**: You might progress into this role after serving as a Senior HR Advisor, Values and Ethics Officer, or HR Manager, demonstrating increasing responsibility and expertise in values-related initiatives.
To be considered, you must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and obtain a security clearance. Selection is based on demonstrated competencies including strategic thinking, stakeholder management, ethical leadership, and program management experience.
Part-Time Options
Director-level positions in Values and Ethics are typically full-time roles due to the strategic nature of the work and leadership responsibilities. However, the federal Public Service does support flexible arrangements where operationally feasible.
**Flexible Work Options**: Many Directors negotiate flexible start and end times, compressed work weeks, or hybrid arrangements combining office and remote work. Your specific flexibility depends on operational requirements and agreement with your manager and Human Resources Business Partner.
**Remote Work**: Depending on the work unit's mandate, you may be eligible to work remotely for a portion of your week. Confidential matters, investigations, and stakeholder engagement sometimes require in-office presence. National Defence encourages discussion of remote work arrangements during onboarding.
**Part-Time Transitions**: If you need to reduce hours temporarily (for example, during caregiving responsibilities), you can request part-time work status. These arrangements are typically time-limited and require discussion with your supervisor and HR.
**Leave and Time Off**: All federal public servants access comprehensive leave benefits including annual leave, sick leave, family caregiver leave, and unpaid leave provisions. Directors typically have reasonable flexibility in scheduling time off given their management responsibilities.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
