Policy Analyst

Position Title: Policy Analyst
Location: National Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection, Security and Resilience (NC-CIPSeR), Carleton University, Ottawa, ON
(Remote opportunities available)
Position Type: Volunteer / Fellowship / Applied Research Role
Duration: Flexible, with a minimum commitment of 12–18 months recommended

About the Role

The National Centre for Critical Infrastructure Protection, Security and Resilience (NC-CIPSeR) is building a national research and collaboration hub focused on Canada’s most pressing critical infrastructure protection, security, resilience challenges. NC-CIPSeR is seeking a Policy Analyst to support applied research, policy analysis, and knowledge translation across the Centre’s core initiatives at the intersection of defence, national security, critical infrastructure, and emergency management and preparedness.

This role supports the evidence-building and analytical foundation of NC-CIPSeR’s work. Policy Analysts contribute to research projects, threat profiles, task forces, sector profiles, labs, and policy outputs by gathering, assessing, and synthesizing information related to governance, legislation, standards, and emerging risks.

This role is well suited to early- to mid-career professionals or graduate-level researchers who want hands-on experience in applied public-interest policy work and exposure to real-world decision-making environments.

Why It Matters

NC-CIPSeR’s work relies on defensible analysis to inform policy, practice, and investment decisions across government, industry, and defence. The Policy Analyst helps ensure that this work is grounded in credible evidence, structured analysis, and clear documentation.

This role helps:

• Strengthen the analytical quality of NC-CIPSeR research outputs
• Support consistency across sector and project work
• Reduce fragmentation by mapping policy, governance, and standards landscapes

Enable senior advisors and research leads to focus on strategic synthesis

Responsibilities

As a Policy Analyst, you may take on one or more of the following responsibilities, depending on project needs and your interests:

Policy Research & Analysis

• Conduct policy research, environmental scans, and literature reviews related to critical infrastructure, resilience, emergency management, national security, and defence-relevant issues
• Analyze legislation, regulation, standards, and governance frameworks affecting infrastructure and public safety
• Support sector profiling, threat and hazard analysis, and prioritization initiatives

Applied Research Support

• Contribute to task forces, working groups, and applied research projects
• Support the synthesis of qualitative and quantitative data into policy-relevant insight
• Assist with research documentation, data organization, and project reporting

Knowledge Mobilization

• Draft or support policy briefs, backgrounders, briefing notes, and discussion papers
• Contribute to NC-CIPSeR reports and publications, including Pulse & Praxis
• Support workshops, roundtables, and stakeholder engagement activities

Qualifications

We are seeking candidates who bring strong analytical skills, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to public-interest research.

Minimum Requirements

• Undergraduate or graduate degree (or equivalent experience) in public policy, international affairs, political science, security studies, emergency management, engineering policy, or a related field
• Strong research, analytical, and writing skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate clearly to diverse audiences
• Comfort working in collaborative, interdisciplinary environments

Assets (Optional but Preferred)

• Experience with policy research, government processes, or regulatory analysis
• Familiarity with Canadian critical infrastructure, national security, or emergency management frameworks
• Experience contributing to reports, policy briefs, or academic or practitioner publications

What You’ll Gain

• Hands-on experience in applied policy research focused on real-world challenges affecting Canada’s critical infrastructure, public safety, and national resilience
• Exposure to cross-sector policy environments, working at the intersection of government, industry, academia, and defence
• Practical experience translating research into policy-relevant outputs, including briefing notes, backgrounders, and sector analyses
• Mentorship from senior policy advisors and research leaders, with structured feedback on analytical and writing work
• A deeper understanding of governance, legislation, standards, and risk frameworks shaping infrastructure protection and emergency management
• Opportunities to contribute to nationally relevant research and publications, including NC-CIPSeR reports and Pulse & Praxis
• Professional growth within a mission-driven centre focused on reducing fragmentation and strengthening coordination across Canada’s resilience ecosystem

Steps to the Application Process

Joining NC-CIPSeR is a structured and supportive process designed to set you up for success. From your initial application through to orientation and project assignment, each step is intentional—ensuring you understand our mission, meet foundational requirements, and are fully prepared to contribute meaningfully. Once completed, you’ll be matched with a mentor and begin your journey on a project that aligns with your skills and interests. This process helps us maintain a high standard of engagement, professionalism, and impact across everything we do.

• Application
• References check
• Privacy & Confidentiality, Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy and Guidelines
• AODA training (online and free)
• Workplace training (online and free)
• Volunteer Agreement – tailored and signed (only after all other admin has been completed)
• Volunteer Orientation
• Mentor Assigned and Project Assigned

To Apply

To get started, please complete our application form through the NC-CIPSeR Application Portal. Be sure to select Pulse & Praxis Journal: Knowledge Translation and Mobilization as the position of interest when completing your application. You’ll be asked to answer a few brief questions, upload your CV, provide reference details, and share why you’re interested in working with us. This helps us get to know you and understand how your skills and interests align with our mission.

About Carleton University

Located in Ottawa, Carleton is an innovative teaching and research institution with a tradition of leading change. Internationally recognized academics, staff, and researchers engage more than 31,000 students in over 100 programs of study. Carleton has long been known for promoting research excellence and connectedness and is involved in partnerships around the globe. With strong leadership, it enjoys a healthy financial position and our proximity to government and cultural institutions, media, and a thriving knowledge economy make Carleton and Ottawa a great place to work, learn, and live. Our picturesque campus is fully accessible and, along with award-winning student services, Carleton’s Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities has been heralded as the gold standard for disability support services in Canada. Learn more about our university and the city of Ottawa at https://carleton.ca/deputyprovost/jobs/.

Carleton University is committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our university including, but not limited to: women and gender equity-seeking groups; racialized individuals; Indigenous Peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation and/or expression. Furthermore, Carleton understands that career paths vary and interruptions will not prejudice the assessment process. We invite you to review our revitalized Indigenous strategy, Kinàmàgawin at https://carleton.ca/indigenousinitiatives/cu_file/kinamagawin/ and visit our Department of Equity and Inclusive Communities at http://carleton.ca/equity for information about our commitment to leadership in the areas of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Accessibility is a university strategic priority and applicants selected for an interview who require accommodations are invited to contact us as soon as possible to ensure that appropriate arrangements may be made.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. All positions are subject to budgetary approval.

Application Deadline:

We accept applications on a rolling basis to accommodate the availability of our volunteers.

This volunteer and mentorship opportunity not only allows you to contribute to vital national security efforts but also offers a platform to influence and shape the future leaders of critical infrastructure protection. Join us in our commitment to safeguarding Canada’s critical infrastructure.

Join Us

This is more than a job opportunity; it’s a chance to contribute to a safer, more resilient Canada. By joining our team, you’ll be at the heart of a national endeavor to protect and secure our critical infrastructure against the threats of tomorrow. Your work will empower informed decision-making, drive innovation, and shape the future of how we assess and think about the most pressing threats and hazards.