Join Policy Hack 2025: Nova Scotia’s Public Policy Case Competition

Policy Hack #8: Register for a Memorable PD Experience!

The registration for Policy Hack is open!

(Shared on behalf of GoverNEXT)

Join the GoverNEXT Employee Network, the Institute of Public Administration Canada (Nova Scotia), and the Federal Youth Network for Policy Hack #8. The event, running from January 16th to March 10th, 2025, is a dynamic event uniting federal, provincial, and municipal employees to tackle real-life policy challenges.

Participants will have a unique opportunity to build their network while enhancing problem-solving skills and developing practical policy solutions. Don’t miss this exceptional professional development opportunity! For more information, see information below or click here.

Registration is open until December 24, 2024, via this form.

If you still have questions, we are hosting a Q&A session, tentatively scheduled from December 12 from 12-1. Please register your intent to attend the Q&A by emailing novascotia.policyhack@gmail.com. You can also use this email should you wish to reach us directly in the interim.

What is Policy Hack?

Policy Hack is a collaborative event bringing federal, provincial, and municipal public servants together into teams to analyze and recommend solutions to real-life policy issues currently impacting Nova Scotians. Policy Hack endeavors to foster an environment of professional development at a range of levels, building on skills such as cross-disciplinary teamwork, policy analysis, public speaking, and preparation of government submissions, as well as coaching, mentoring, and providing constructive feedback at more senior levels.

Participants will be assigned a team and a case study, and will spend approximately 5-6 weeks building a policy solution together with the support of a case sponsor and coach.

Each team will present their solution to a panel of judges on Pitch Day. The top 2 teams will be invited to participate in a Lightning Round, where they will face off to determine this year’s winner!

This year’s competition will run from approximately January 17 - March 11, 2025.

How Can I Participate?

Are you looking to gain experience to further your career? Do you want to develop skills in coaching, leadership, management, and teamwork? Are you interested in expanding your professional network, and/or in contributing to complex policy solutions?

If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, participating in Policy Hack can help you achieve those goals!

Registration will be open until December 24, 2024. All public servants that have an interest in developing skills related to the public policy process are encouraged to apply. Whether this is totally new to you, or you work in policy on a regular basis, there is something for everyone!

How Else Can I Get Involved?

Policy Hack has some fantastic professional development opportunities beyond participating on a case study team. There are a number of ways to get involved at a more senior level:

  • Be a case sponsor:
    The success of Policy Hack hinges on policy leaders coming forward with challenging, timely and relevant cases for Policy Hack. Becoming a case sponsor means taking a real challenge/ problem that you are experiencing in your work and packaging it so that a Policy Hack team can provide a fresh look while developing policy analysis skills. Case sponsors are typically, but not exclusively, at the senior policy analyst or manager level.

  • Be a coach:
    Each team will be assigned a coach that will help the group to explore the case, analyze alternatives and prepare policy options. Becoming a Policy Hack coach is a fantastic opportunity to work on mentorship and team management skills. Coaches are typically, but not exclusively, at the senior policy analyst or manager level.

  • Be a judge:
    Contribute your expert knowledge in public policy by evaluating and adjudicating submitted solutions. Becoming a Policy Hack judge is a fantastic opportunity to work on skills such as constructive feedback and policy intersectionality, as well as to build networks with emerging leaders in the public policy space. Judges are typically, but not exclusively, at the director level or above.

What is the time commitment?

It depends on your role; some estimates for the preparation period are included here. Team members can expect to commit an average of 1-3 hours per week to prepare their case study submission. For coaches and case sponsors, they can expect to commit an average of one hour per week. Judges might expect to spend an average of 1-3 hours prior to pitch day to review submissions and approximately 3-4 hours on pitch day to participate in the adjudication process.

Important Dates

  • Registration (all categories): November 22 to December 24, 2024

  • Participants Q&A Event: Week of December 5 to December 9, 2024

  • Launch Day Event: Week of January 16 to 20, 2025

  • Interim PD and Networking Event: Week of February 13 to 18, 2025

  • Team Case Submission: February 26, 2025

  • Pitch Day & Celebration: Week of March 6 to 10, 2025

Please note that we will do our best to finalize the events schedule as per this timeline, however some dates may change due to circumstances beyond our control. Thanks for understanding!

The Policy Hack Planning Team is working to promote a positive experience for participants with a mix of virtual and in-person activities. Input through the registration form will help us to consider participant access needs and preferences to help create space for meaningful participation.

Where do I find more information?

Please see the below chart with more detailed position descriptions. If you still have questions about Policy Hack or want to discuss your specific situation before applying, please contact the Policy Hack Planning Committee at novascotia.policyhack@gmail.com.

I’m In! How do I Register?

Whether you are interested in registering as a team member, coach, case sponsor, or judge, please complete your registration by following the prompts in the online registration form. Participants who register will be matched to teams based on experience level, level of government, and subject matter interests, wherever possible. Registration will be open between November 22 and December 24, 2024.

If you need assistance with your registration, please reach out to novascotia.policyhack@gmail.com.

Detailed Position Descriptions can be found here.

IPAC Nova Scotia