A Career in the Foreign Service
Officers in the Canadian foreign service have made a commitment to work on a rotational basis in Ottawa and at any of Canada's missions abroad. Some officers may spend half to two thirds of their career working and living abroad. Although many people find the prospect of moving from one assignment to another challenging and invigorating, rotation can sometimes put a measure of stress on officers and their families. Versatility and adaptability are essential to deal with changing work and home environments and the resulting frustrations and culture shock.
New foreign service officer recruits are based in Ottawa, where they are welcomed into the Foreign service Development Program (FSDP), designed to provide a broad and interesting introduction to the foreign service.
Successful candidates whose proficiency in either of Canada's official languages is not sufficient will receive official language training in Ottawa for a maximum of 52 weeks. Participants who are not already employees of the federal government will not become employees, but will receive an allowance of 80 percent of the starting salary during this training period. An offer of employment into the Foreign Service Development Program can be made only after successful attainment of the required proficiency levels. If the required proficiency is not achieved in the 52 weeks allotted, an offer of employment will not be granted.
The FSDP is a three-year program during which participants will receive extensive in-class and on-the-job training in Ottawa. Every effort will be made to match the background, strengths and interests of individual participants with prevailing operational needs when assignments are allocated.
FSDP participants remain on probation for the duration of the training of the program, with performance reviews at regular intervals. In order to be promoted to the full working level, i.e. FS-02, FSDP officers will need to pass an assessment of their competencies. These competencies, for example judgement, adaptability and flexibility, and networking, have been identified as those required of fully qualified foreign service officers.
Management and consular affairs officer recruits are also based in Ottawa, where they undergo formal classroom and on-the-job training as well as official language training, if required. First international assignments last between two to four years, after which officers may be cross-posted or return to Ottawa. There is a one-year probationary period upon entry into the Public Service.
From this point, promotions for both foreign service officers and management and consular affairs officers are based on annual performance appraisals, serving a minimum number of years at each level and the availability of positions at the next level. Opportunities exist at each level for officers to expand their experience and develop their skills.
The rotational foreign service lifestyle has been likened to life on a roller-coaster, and there is no doubt that officers experience ups and downs as they repeat the cycle of going on postings and re-integrating themselves into life in Canada. Life in foreign environments can sometimes mean restrictions on personal movements due to political or safety considerations, and losing touch with friends and family. Products that are taken for granted in Canada may not be available. Although it may seem strange to anyone who has not already experienced it, returning to Canada can also provoke a certain amount of culture shock. Potential foreign service officers must consider very carefully what this nomadic lifestyle may mean for children's education, spousal employment and family well-being.
Children's education
Foreign service parents make many decisions concerning their children's schooling. Because the quality of overseas education can vary from country to country, it is not always possible to ensure perfect continuity of subject matter and instructional methods for children. Abroad, most Canadian diplomatic children attend British, American or French schools. An education counsellor is available to help families find the schools that best meet their children's needs whether they are leaving for postings abroad or returning to Canada.
Spousal employment
It is difficult for spouses to maintain continuous professional employment overseas. In many countries, despite the lifting of formal barriers, it is difficult for spouses to find work due to linguistic and economic restrictions on the employment of foreigners. However, some manage to find salaried work with an international agency, an embassy or an international school; others pursue volunteer work or studies related to their careers or personal interests. For those with an entrepreneurial bent and portable skills, self-employment can represent a viable option.
A spousal employment counsellor is available at headquarters to advise on employment possibilities that do exist abroad and to assist spouses with job-hunting techniques on their return to Ottawa.
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