Interchange Canada

Eligibility

To be eligible to participate in the Interchange program, you:

• are employed and have occupied your current position for at least 6 months
• have not participated in an Interchange assignment in the last 2 years
• meet the requirements of the position, such as experience, security clearance and/or professional designations
• agree to follow all relevant codes of conduct of the host organization, such as:
  • the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector, and
  • the Directive on Conflict of Interest

Duration

Interchange assignments are:

• part-time or full-time
• up to 3 consecutive years

How it works

As an Interchange participant, you:

• remain an employee of your home organization
• continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of employment of your home organization
• continue to receive the same salary and benefits from your home organization
• follow the business hours and vacation schedule of the host organization

Initiating an assignment

1. An opportunity presents itself (by means of the individual, organization, or Interchange site).
2. Open negotiations between host and Sponsor organizations.
   1. If you’re not a member of the core public administration, your host organization will send you a copy.
3. Include the CPA departmental Liaison officer to support negotiations and policy adherence.
4. Sign the completed assignment agreement.

Eligibility

The host organization is:

• in the public, private or not-for-profit sector
• located in Canada or internationally
• willing to comply with the:
  • Policy on People Management and
  • Directive on Interchange Canada

How it works

The host organization typically reimburses the home organization for the participant’s salary and benefits. It’s responsible for covering any job-related costs, such as training or travel. Depending on the assignment agreement, different reimbursement options may be negotiated.

Initiating an assignment

1. Complete an assignment opportunity form in English and French. Include information about the duties, duration, and required qualifications of the assignment
2. A representative of the Interchange Canada program will respond within 72 hours and publish your assignment on the Interchange Canada database
3. Once your assignment has been posted, participants will be able to contact you directly and you can select the participant you’d like to hire
4. Contact your Departmental Liaison Officer for the assignment agreement template
   1. If your organization isn’t part of the core public administration, the participant will send you a copy
5. Use the assignment agreement template to negotiate the details of the position, including reimbursement options, with the participant and their home organization
6. Sign the completed assignment agreement

Even if you’ve identified a participant through your professional networks, you’ll still need to post an assignment opportunity on the database.