The Simulation Exercise for Senior Executives, Level 03

Purpose of the Simulation Exercise

The Simulation Exercise for Senior Executives, Level 03 may be one component of the selection process for EX-03 level positions. The Simulation Exercise provides information on key leadership competencies and behaviours of candidates at that level, particularly for external candidates. Information from the Simulation Exercise is used in combination with information from other sources to make selection decisions.

Key Leadership Competencies

The Simulation Exercise has been developed to assess the four key leadership competencies: Values and Ethics, Stategic Thinking, Engagement, and Management Excellence. Engagement is further defined in terms of: Interpersonal Sensitivity, Influencing, Negotiating Solutions and Communicating. Management Excellence is further defined in terms of Action Management, People Management and Financial Management.

Values and Ethics: Serving through integrity and respect

PS leaders serve Canadians, ensuring integrity in personal and organizational practices, and respect people and PS principles, including democratic, professional, ethical, and people values. They build respectful, bilingual, diverse, and inclusive workplaces where decisions and transactions are transparent and fair. They hold themselves, their employees, and their organizations accountable for their actions.

Strategic Thinking: Innovating through Analysis and Ideas

PS leaders advise and plan, based on analysis of issues and trends, and how these link to the responsibilities, capabilities, and potential of their organization. They scan an ever-changing, complex environment in anticipation of emerging crises and opportunities. They develop well-informed advice and strategies that are sensitive to the various needs of multiple stakeholders and partners, reflect the strategic direction of the PS, and position the organization for success.

Engagement: Mobilizing people, organizations and partners

PS leaders engage people, organizations, and partners in developing goals, executing plans, and delivering results. They lay the groundwork by building coalitions with key players. They mobilize teams, building momentum to get things done by communicating clearly and consistently, investing time and energy to engage the whole organization. They use their negotiation skills and adaptability to encourage recognition of joint concerns, collaboration, and to influence the success of outcomes. They follow and lead across boundaries to engage broad-based stakeholders, partners, and constituencies in a shared agenda and strategy.

Management Excellence: Delivering through Action Management, People Management, Financial Management

Public Service (PS) leaders deliver results by maximizing organizational effectiveness and sustainability. They ensure that people have the support and tools they need and that the workforce as a whole has the capacity and diversity to meet current and longer-term organizational objectives. They align people, work, and systems with the business strategy to harmonize how they work and what they do. They implement rigorous and comprehensive human and financial resources accountability systems consistent with the MAF. They ensure that the integrity and management of information and knowledge are a responsibility at all levels and a key factor in the design and execution of all policies and programs.

Exercises

Multiple assessment techniques are used to assess candidates on the competencies and behaviours underlying the competencies. These exercises include a written summary, a presentation and a question period.

Written Summary and Presentation

In this exercise, the candidate is given the opportunity to deal with a number of issues and problems presented in the form of e-mails, letters and reports. While working alone, the candidate has to prepare and submit a written summary of the actions, and their rationale, he/she intends to take on the issues and problems presented. Subsequently, the candidate makes an oral presentation to an assessor board based on this material.

Question Period

After the presentation, the assessors ask the candidate to answer a series of questions. These questions are based on the presentation and all material pertaining to it. Their purpose of this question period is to clarify and/or challenge the courses of action chosen by the candidate.

Features of the Simulation Exercise

A written Assessment Report will be produced shortly after participation in the Simulation Exercise. The report will give a description of the competencies assessed, the candidate's ratings on each of the competencies and a summary of the candidate's performance.

ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

If a candidate has special needs requiring accommodation, he or she should contact Assessment Services, Personnel Psychology Centre, at (613)992-9768, as soon as possible, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

If you would like any additional information, please contact:

Carole Chrétien, Assessment Coordinator
Assessment Services
Personnel Psychology Centre
Public Service Commission of Canada
300 Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0M7

Telephone No. (613) 947-3376 Fax No. (613) 947-0488