Grants and Contributions Program Officer

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The role

We are looking for a Grants and Contributions Program Officer to support our National Programs Office(NPO). The Grants and Contributions Program Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Since 2012, the NRC has undertaken large-scale, multi-party, long-term research and development (R&D) programs, where its laboratories (the NRC research centres) marshal NRC researchers from across the organization to conduct research focused on public policy objectives in collaboration with researchers from academia and the private sector, as well as other sectors of society domestically and internationally.

In 2018, the government announced grant and contribution (G&C) funding for the NRC to extend its collaborative R&D activities by making available $24M per year ongoing to defray the costs of R&D for its collaborators in the context of R&D programs. The objective being to bring together the best minds to deliver breakthroughs across the innovation continuum that matter to Canadians.  The resulting new R&D programs either respond to specific federal challenges (challenge programs) or, as a one-time measure, to supercluster priorities (supercluster support programs). This year, three new challenge programs are being launched with aim to improve the quality of life of Canada’s aging population; enable the development of revolutionary quantum sensors; and improve the lives of Canadian’s living in the North and Arctic.

In response to these federal investments, the NRC has set up the National Program Office (NPO), an independent office to provide strategic advice, program expertise, and deliver G&C funding to advance collaborative R&D Projects.  The NPO is also the business owner of the NRC’s Collaborative R&D program lifecycle, meaning the process through which programs are developed, approved, assessed, and their performance monitored.  

G&C Program Officer will be expected to:

• Coordinating funding application intake processes, peer reviews, and preparing applicant’s guides;
• Undertaking reviews of funding applications for eligibility;
• Support project due diligence and agreement drafting;
• Monitor and report on projects with G&C recipients;
• Prepare guidance material to support program administration, including documentation of program processes and policies;
• Collect, analyze, interpret, and summarize data and findings, and preparing reports and presentations to support program management and decision-making; and
• Liaise with diverse stakeholders including NRC researchers and external collaborators.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

Post-secondary diploma in a relevant discipline.

Candidates with a secondary school education according to provincial/territorial standards, with significant work related experience will also be considered.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Recent* and significant** experience administering the full lifecycle of transfer payment program delivery from proposal intake to the oversight of agreements within a Government of Canada Grants and Contributions (G&C) environment.
• Recent* experience in interpreting, applying and providing functional guidance to others on procedure, policies, regulations or legislation on government programs both orally and in writing.
• Significant** experience in developing, liaising and maintaining effective working relationships with internal and external*** stakeholders.
• Recent* experience in collecting, analyzing, interpreting, and summarizing data and findings, and preparing reports and presentations (for example, in Microsoft PowerPoint) to support program management and decision-making.

* Recent experience is defined as within the last 5 years.

** Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of experience normally associated with full time performance of duties for a cumulative period of at least (2) years.

*** Internal stakeholders is defined as within the government and external stakeholders is defined as external to government.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB 

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of Treasury Board policies and directives on transfer payments.
• Knowledge of grants and contributions project management principles and practices.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s):   Management Services

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $78,167 to $91,895 per annum. 

In addition, the incumbent who meets the language requirements will receive the Bilingualism Bonus of $800 per year.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.