As a Manager - Evaluation within the Department of National Defence, you will lead evaluation initiatives that assess the effectiveness and efficiency of DND programs, policies, and operations. You will oversee a team of evaluation professionals, manage evaluation projects from conception to completion, and ensure that findings and recommendations inform decision-making at all levels of the department. This role is critical to ensuring that DND resources are used effectively and that defence and security objectives are being met.
Your responsibilities will include developing evaluation strategies, managing budgets and timelines, supervising staff, and communicating complex findings to senior leadership and stakeholders. You will work collaboratively with program managers, financial analysts, and other government partners to identify evaluation priorities and ensure that evaluations meet Treasury Board and departmental standards. You will also be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of evaluation methodology, objectivity, and professional ethics.
You will work in a dynamic, professional environment within the Defence and Security Programme Evaluation Directorate or similar evaluation function. Your work will contribute directly to improving departmental performance and supporting evidence-based decision-making across DND and Canadian Armed Forces operations.
Key Responsibilities
Plan and manage the delivery of evaluation services and programs, Supervise and develop staff within the evaluation team, Monitor performance metrics and report on results, Develop and implement operational plans and procedures, Manage stakeholder relationships and ensure service quality
Required Skills
Analytical skills, Risk assessment, Report writing, Professional skepticism, Data analysis, People management, Operational oversight, Quality assurance, Resource coordination
Typical Education
Post-secondary education in the relevant field; supervisory and operational management experience
Training
To be successful in this role, you typically need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public administration, business, economics, statistics, social sciences, or a related discipline. Many candidates have a master's degree in public administration, business administration, or a specialized evaluation field.
Professional certifications can strengthen your candidacy, including the Evaluators Without Borders (EWB) Certified Program Evaluator (CPE) designation or membership with the Canadian Evaluation Society (CES). We encourage ongoing professional development through Treasury Board evaluation training, project management certifications (such as PMP), and advanced statistical or data analysis courses.
Once hired, you will receive orientation specific to DND evaluation frameworks, Treasury Board policies, and departmental procedures. Managers are expected to pursue continuous learning opportunities to stay current with evaluation best practices, federal government priorities, and defence-specific context.
Entry Plans
Entry to this Manager - Evaluation position typically occurs through one of several pathways within the federal Public Service:
Competitive recruitment processes are the primary method. The Public Service Commission (PSC) conducts competitions open to Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and veterans. These competitions are advertised on the Government of Canada Jobs website and may be open or closed (restricted to current public servants).
Lateral moves from other Government of Canada departments are common for this role. If you are already a federal public servant in an evaluation, audit, financial management, or related role, you may apply directly to posted Manager - Evaluation positions within DND without competing in an open process, depending on the competition scope.
Individuals with strong evaluation, program management, or financial analysis backgrounds working outside government may enter through open competitions. Some candidates transition from related public service roles such as Program Officer, Financial Analyst, or Auditor by building their management experience and then applying for Manager-level positions.
Student programs such as the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP) or the Post-Secondary Recruitment Initiative (PSRI) can provide a pathway to permanent employment for graduates, though these typically start at lower classification levels.
Part-Time Options
Part-time and flexible work arrangements are available for Manager - Evaluation positions, though availability may depend on operational needs and the specific evaluation projects underway. Many managers in this role work standard full-time hours (37.5 hours per week), but flexible scheduling and compressed work weeks are often negotiable with supervisors.
Remote work and hybrid arrangements have become more common in federal evaluation functions. Depending on departmental policy and the nature of your evaluation projects, you may have opportunities to work from home or in a satellite office for a portion of your week. However, some in-person presence is typically required for team meetings, stakeholder engagements, and collaborative work.
Job sharing arrangements may be possible in some circumstances, though the supervisory and management responsibilities of this role may limit the practicality of formal job sharing. We recommend discussing specific flexibility needs directly with the hiring manager during the recruitment process, as accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with Treasury Board and DND policies.
Related Careers
No related military careers on file for this position.
