As a Director General in Evaluation, you lead the strategic direction and delivery of evaluation services across the Department of National Defence. You oversee a team of evaluation professionals and manage substantial budgets to ensure evidence-based decision-making throughout the organization. Your work directly influences how DND assesses the effectiveness of its programs, policies, and operations.
In this role, you are responsible for developing evaluation frameworks, managing evaluation projects, and ensuring that findings reach decision-makers in accessible formats. You collaborate with senior leadership, program managers, and external partners to identify evaluation priorities and translate complex data into actionable insights. You champion a culture of evidence-based management and continuous improvement across the department.
You work in a dynamic environment where your strategic thinking and leadership abilities shape how the department learns from its operations. This is a senior executive position that requires you to navigate complex organizational challenges, manage competing priorities, and maintain the independence and credibility of evaluation functions.
Key Responsibilities
Conduct evaluation activities per professional standards, Collect and analyze evidence to support findings, Prepare reports and recommendations for management, Monitor implementation of action plans
Required Skills
Analytical skills, Risk assessment, Report writing, Professional skepticism, Data analysis, Relevant technical skills, Communication, Teamwork, Problem-solving
Typical Education
Education and experience commensurate with the role requirements
Training
You typically need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public administration, business, social sciences, engineering, or a related discipline. Many in this role hold a master's degree in evaluation, public administration, business administration, or a specialized field aligned with DND's mandate.
Professional certifications and credentials strengthen your candidacy. Consider pursuing the Canadian Evaluation Society's Credentialed Evaluator (CE) designation or similar recognized credentials. Ongoing professional development in areas such as program evaluation methodology, data analysis, management information systems, and strategic leadership is essential.
The Government of Canada supports continuous learning through various development programs. As you progress to this level, you may access executive coaching, formal leadership development programs, and specialized training in emerging evaluation approaches, digital tools, and evidence-based decision-making frameworks.
Entry Plans
Entry to a Director General position typically occurs through open competitions or executive recruitment processes managed by the Treasury Board Secretariat and DND. Most candidates reach this level after progressing through several years in the Evaluation function, often beginning at intermediate levels such as Evaluation Officer, then advancing to Senior Evaluation Officer, and finally to director-level positions.
You may also transition into this role from related functions such as audit, policy analysis, strategic planning, or program management, provided you demonstrate strong evaluation expertise and executive leadership capabilities. Lateral moves from other government departments are possible if you have equivalent experience and a solid understanding of DND's operational context.
The Public Service Commission posts these positions publicly, and the selection process emphasizes your strategic vision, executive leadership experience, team management abilities, and track record of delivering evaluation impact. Networking within evaluation and audit communities, staying informed about DND's priorities, and maintaining strong performance reviews in your current role strengthen your competitiveness.
Part-Time Options
Director General positions are typically full-time executive roles due to the strategic responsibilities and leadership expectations. However, the Government of Canada recognizes work-life balance as important for all employees.
Remote and flexible work arrangements may be available depending on operational needs and agreement with your manager. Many DND headquarters functions, including evaluation teams, have adapted to hybrid work models where you may work from home for a portion of your week while maintaining in-person presence for meetings and team collaboration.
As a senior leader, you will have greater flexibility to negotiate work arrangements that support both organizational needs and personal circumstances. Discussions about flexibility are typically part of the employment process and ongoing performance management. Part-time or job-sharing arrangements at the Director General level are rare but may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on business requirements and Treasury Board policies.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
