DFAIT Spousal and Family Support
What’s New:
Here is the information on the latest spousal initiatives and the tools and information available to spouses.
Any questions please contact Deborah Birrell at: 613-995-0384 or by e-mail: deborah.birrell@international.gc.ca
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
NEW INITIATIVES
The Strategic Planning and Initiatives Division (HEF), now responsible for services for spouses and families accompanying an employee on an assignment abroad, has been working on many new initiatives to enhance the career development of spouses and partners accompanying an employee abroad. Some of these projects include:
Career Management Support Program for Spouses and Partners Abroad
A pilot project to offer long distance career management support to spouses and partners currently abroad was launched in February 2007. Global Career Transitions specializes in providing one-on-one career counselling via telephone, internet and web cam on a variety of subjects including skills development, résumé and job search action plan development, and networking.
Working and Living Abroad Seminars
Jean Marc Hachey, author of The Big Guide to Working and Living Overseas presented two seminars in March of this year on how to manage a successful international career: “International Job Search is Different” and “International Resumes and Job Search” .
Welcome Back to Canada Booklet for Families
Resource information for spouses and families on employment, education, community and health services has been researched and compiled into a booklet that will be made available to returning families.
Survey of Spouses
Spouses have been invited to participate in an information gathering scan, developed by an information technology consultant, the object being to determine and measure the factors and issues facing spouses of Canadian government employees who have been or will be assigned abroad.
Enhanced Canadian Agora
The Canadian Agora database of résumés will be enhanced to include a promotional video guide for employers and candidates, as well as a communications link that can be accessed by spouses and partners for updated information onDepartmental initiatives.
Market Analysis Career Management Information
A project to provide relevant up to date information on the economic situation and current labour market for countries where REA’s exist is underway. Listings of employment resources such as recruiting firms and career consultants, as well as employment related sites will also be made available.
Community Coordinator Pilot and Review
The community coordinator program was recently reviewed and in 2006 a pilot program was launched. Following this pilot an independent consultant was hired to survey clients, coordinators and missions to follow up on the pilot. This report and recommendations will be studied with a view to renewing the community coordinator program in the future.
ONGOING SERVICES
Policy:
(HEF) develops and applies policies that improve the employment situation for Foreign Service spouses and partners in Canada and abroad. As well as providing advice and guidance to spouses, assignment officers, and departmental officials, the spousal and family program offers the following services:
Information when posted:
Spouses and or employees should contact the Departmental Spousal and Family Coordinator as soon as they are considering a posting. While neither headquarters nor missions can act as employment agencies, the Co-ordinator is available to provide encouragement and to respond to inquiries. Contact with the mission is made where considered necessary. Career resource materials are on hand including a subscription to "Employment Abroad", notices of job openings with International Organizations, copies of "The Canadian Guide to Working and Living Overseas", and books on résumé preparation and interview skills.
Report on spousal employment opportunities:
A comprehensive "Spousal Employment Opportunities Report" provides a general description of the employment situation at each mission, including information on reciprocal employment arrangements. Information on any possible upcoming Locally Engaged staff positions, expat and contract openings within the mission are provided, and in some cases, an attached list of potential local employers is included. This report, which is available on the department’s Intranet site, as well as in binder format for consultation should be consulted when considering a posting.
Workshops and training:
Each spring prior to the posting season, spouses should plan to participate in the organized career related workshops and training, as well as any new courses initiated, in order to equip spouses for work at missions or to prepare them for the overseas job hunt. As well as workshops such as the "Career Development Workshop Series for International Workers”, “Starting Your Small Business” and "Teaching English/French as a Second Language", the department, via spousal employment, provides a training course in Basic Consular duties as well as Immigration training.
FSD 17 allowance for professional dues and job search services:
Where eligible, the Department will provide a reimbursable allowance for payment of professional or annual dues while abroad, and in some instances, the cost of job retraining for re-entry into the job force (FSD 17.01 and FSD 17.03). Employment related expenses such as résumé preparation or attendance at trade fairs is also available under certain circumstances (FSD 17.02). FSD 17.04 and FSD 17.05 can also provide, rent share benefits to allow the spouse to remain in Canada for part or all of the posting for employment or education reasons.
The Canadian Agora:
“The Canadian Agora” is a database of résumés of spouses of rotational foreign service employees actively seeking contract employment within the department, and with other interested employers. Spouses and partners are strongly encouraged to add their résumé to the Agora.
Reciprocal employment arrangements:
The Department has signed Reciprocal Employment Arrangements with approximately 55 countries, allowing Canadian foreign service spouses to obtain work permits in these locations. Obtaining a work permit can still be difficult in certain situations and in some countries. Language, economic and security issues may be an issue. Civil and Administrative Immunities are waived for the purpose of employment in these cases, and any employment earnings are liable for Canadian income tax. The list of countries with REA’s is available on the Services Centre Intranet site.
Direct Communication with Spouses:
A newsletter, providing information on workshops, spousal benefits and employment issues, is forwarded directly to interested rotational spouses, two or three times each year.
Security clearances:
Spouses who are likely to need a security clearance to work at the mission will receive assistance. HEF will provide information, the necessary forms, information and will prepare the 'basic reliability check' for security clearances.
Community Coordinator program:
HEF administers the policy and budget of the Community Coordinator Program abroad. Community Coordinators, who are on contract with the mission, provide integration and welcoming services to new arrivals, including information on spousal employment, schooling for children and information on community resources. Approximately 60 missions hire spouses as community coordinators.
Information for spouses returning to the NCR:
The Department provides assistance to spouses returning to Canada initially by replying to inquiries on the employment situation prior to their return and then meeting with spouses on return to advise them of the services provided by the department including workshops, job search materials available, the Public Service Commission and the “Canadian Agora”. A Welcome Back to Canada booklet is available. Spouses are also made aware of the the Foreign Service Community Association.
Spouses and partners should plan to participate in the re-entry program which includes a “Setting Up Your Small Business” workshop and a “Career Development Workshop Series for International Workers”, to provide spouses with information on résumé preparation, job search techniques and how to get acquainted with the job market.
Deborah Birrell
Spousal Employment and Family Support
Lémploi des conjoints et le soutien à la famille
Strategic Initiatives, Planning and Monitoring Division / HEF
Direction des initiatives, de la planification stratégiques et du contrôle
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
Affaires estranges et Commerce internationale Canada
Tel/Tél : 613-995-0384 Fax/Télec : 613-922-2541
deborah.birrell@international.gc.ca